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<br /> Conference to feature Policymakers' Track on `Board Policies that Work'
<br /> Editor's note:MMUA is of- decisions that are aligned really exist.At another(deep- like? At its most basic level, ally allow situations, pro-
<br /> fering a half-day seminar at with and responsive to cus- er) level, confusion arises a policy is a statement of val- cesses, actions, behaviors or
<br /> the upcoming Summer Con- tomer and community needs when the management and ue, agreed upon and adopted attitudes that are unsafe,
<br /> ference on governance and pal- and values, Such decision- governing body have failed to by a governing body,that es- undignified, inattentive, dis-
<br /> icymaking. Participants will making calls for the combined address important policy is- tablishes expected outcomes, respectful or unresponsive to
<br /> learn about the importance perspectives and expertise of sues or have addressed them actions and behaviors. . . or customer needs and requests,
<br /> of documented policies in(1) professional managers and in a manner that did not es- establishes boundaries/lim- or otherwise in conflict with
<br /> strengthening board leader- elected or appointed policy- tablish any long-term agree- its on expected outcomes, ac- the organizational purpose,
<br /> ship and decision-making;(2) makers. Such decision-mak- ment that would be useful as tions, and behaviors. For ex- mission, and values advocat-
<br /> supporting the consistent ap- ing also calls for effective gov- a point of reference for future ample,in adopting a policy for ed by the Board."
<br /> plication of sound governance ernance...and effective policy decisions. its own members,a governing The bottom line is that a
<br /> principles and practices; (3) development and use is at the What can be done? The body might state: governing body uses state-
<br /> establishing board and man- heart of effective governance. first step toward effective "Board members are ex- ments of policy to define per-
<br /> agement accountabilities for Policy development and use policy development and use pected to be present at all formance expectations for the
<br /> performance;and(4)sustain- is difficult and requires disci- is for the governing body to regular and specially called utility overall, for itself, and
<br /> ing the beneficial legacy of pline. Too often in our work recognize that its leadership meetings of the Board and for management. It assigns
<br /> municipal utilities for the next with municipal utilities, we is fundamentally defined by any Board committees to those expectations to some-
<br /> generation. find that both management the process through which which they are assigned. one and then monitors ac-
<br /> by R.John Miner and the governing body(city its develops and implements Board members will properly tual performance against ex-
<br /> Pres. Collaboration Unlim- council or board)are confused policies.Another way of stat- prepare themselves to per- pectations.In the first of the
<br /> ited/Collaborative Learning about policy. When asked ing this is that the principal form their assigned duties as two policy examples above,
<br /> One of the often-stated core about policies, a common re- work products of the govern- Board officers and members, the governing body would
<br /> benefits of a municipal utility sponse goes something like ing body are its policies and and for effective Board delib- expect individual members
<br /> is "local control." With local this:"Of course we make im- its legacy is the result of those eration,decision-making,and to be self-accountable, but
<br /> control,a municipality is both portant policy decisions! We policies in action. Because representation in advance the board's presiding officer
<br /> empowered and obligated to just don't always document a state statute, city charter, of all assigned meetings and (chair or president) would
<br /> make many important deci- them."...or..."No,we don't re- articles of incorporation and other Board-approved and routinely monitor and report
<br /> sions concerning its utility ally have a policy manual...our by-laws, on their own, are Board-related activities." on policy compliance, as well
<br /> enterprises and services. For policies are documented in the seldom adequate for effective As another example,a gov- as take appropriate steps to
<br /> an electric utility,these deci- meeting minutes and resolu- governance, a board's docu- erning body might adopt the correct any noncompliance.In
<br /> sions involve such wide-rang- tions."At one level,confusion mented policies provide the following policy statement the second example, the gov-
<br /> ing elements of the business arises when policies are not basic structure and processes for its chief executive when erning body would expect the
<br /> as sources of electric supply, fully documented, well-orga- through which it fulfills its fi- delegating authority to act on General Manager to routinely
<br /> physical and financial assets, nized, and readily available. duciary and other mandated their behalf with respect to monitor,report,and maintain
<br /> rates and charges for electric With this situation,past pol- responsibilities, customer service: compliance.
<br /> service, and workforce. For icy decisions are not remem- To put a more practical spin In all interactions with Policy development in the
<br /> "local control"to deliver on its bered or used. For anyone on this topic,let's get specific customers and customer rep- manner described here can
<br /> advertised benefit, a munici- who was not there when the about policy.What is it?What resentatives, the General
<br /> pality must make business decision was made,it doesn't does a policy statement look Manager shall not intention- Governance:see page 9 please
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<br /> 6/July/August 2018 The Resource
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