A poll released this week and publicized in U.S. News & World Reports shows that 94% of respondents support national spending on infrastructure improvements. They even indicated that they would support a 1% tax increase to pay the bill. All good news, as the Obama stimulus package is being formulated. $750 billion plus may be pumped into our communities bridges, roads, and school buildings. The most surprising poll result is that more than half of the respondents said that either accountability or transparency of the projects were the most important consideration in how the money will be spent.
A “balanced scorecard” would be a great means of delivering results from the stimulus package, as well as accountability and transparency. Objectives and key performance indicators could be created for schedule compliance (getting jobs created fast will be an important element of the program); the number of jobs created; full compliance with ethics and disclosure processes; and projects’ ability to promote the CO2 reduction agenda. If local governments already using scorecards role model how results, accountability and transparency can all be accomplished using the tool, the administration may come to require the approach of all players. Why not meet the “customers'" requirements of being effective, efficient, and honest?
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