Agenda - Charter Commission - 04/21/2005

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Professional Management Continues to Grow Among U.S. Counties CAO Status 2000 19992 1994 I 1990 'i986 Without Chief Adminis~ative Officer [,897t 2,020~ 2,338 2,367 2,393 (62.2%) (66.2%) (76.8%) (77.8%) (78.6%) Total 3,048 3,052 3,043 3,044 3,043 F;rm of ~ov;rnment 2000 1999z '" 1994 1990 .... 1986 Council-Elected Executive 480 4812 (t5.7%) (15.8%) Co~ission 2,197 2,200~ (72.~%) (72.0%) T'otal " 3,048 3,052 3,04'3 3,044 5}045 ~ Statistics were obtained by pullbg the number of Counties ~th CAO positions listed ~ ICMA's database. These data do not appear m the Cumula~ve Dis~bution oF Counties published a~ually in ICe's Municipal Year Book. 2 The first year ~ w~ch IC~ published counW fom-of-gove~ent data Using this bre~do~ was [ 999. ~ource: The r~micipal Year ~oo~ 198~ 2000, published by the International City/Counly Mattagement Association ~hington, D.C. Stability and Change By the end of the 20th century, local governments in the United States had become the most trusted level of American government. Year af~er year, citizens' ranked local government higher than state or national government as the level from which they felt they got the greatest value for their money. This has not always been the case. During the Ig00s, local governments evolved from holding the dubious distinction of the most troubled component of the American system of governance to becoming the most trusted. This evolution has been accomplished through a series ~f radical changes that began in the early part of the Century, continued throughout it, and is generally known as the progressive reform movement. The reforms have included: Instit~ting civil-service personnel systems. Promoting personnel on a mer/t basis. Mandating competitive tendering or purchasing of goods and supplies. Requiring performance budgeting and measurement. Ensuring open, transparent government that is fully accessible to citizens and the media. -44-