Performance Standards For Activities of the North Georgia Regional Development Center (NGRDC)

The NGRDC has established performance standards based on:
 

The performance standards are organized under two components (I.Governance and Administration and II.Programs) and are presented below:

I.  GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

A.  Organizational Structure
1.  Membership:  The membership of the NGRDC shall consist of Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield Counties and the active (functioning) municipalities of each of these counties.
2.  Board Composition:The NGRDC Board of Directors shall be composed of representatives of local governments and community interests who shall be qualified and elected as provided by State law and the NGRDC Bylaws.
3.  Committees:  The NGRDC Board of Directors shall establish committees from time to time as deemed necessary.
4.  Affiliate Organizations:  The NGRDC Board of Directors shall enter into joint memorandums of understanding or joint agreements with other separate regional organizations or entities (excluding consultants or service providers) to formally coordinate, assist, or otherwise undertake a joint initiative or program of work consistent with the purposes of the NGRDC as provided by State law and NGRDC Bylaws.


B.  Board Operations

1.  Meetings:  The NGRDC shall hold and conduct meetings in accordance with State laws and the NGRDC Bylaws.
2.  Orientation/Training:  All members of the Board of Directors shall receive a Directors Handbook and an orientation to NGRDC operations and member responsibilities.  Supplemental information shall be provided through briefings at meetings, periodic staff reports, executive summaries of plans and studies, and annual retreats/conferences.
3.  Administrative Actions:  The Board of Directors shall take actions to oversee the operations of the Center as provided in State law and the NGRDC Bylaws.
4.  Policy Actions:  The Board of Directors shall take measures to advance the interests of the region and its member local governments with regard to economic growth, job advancement, a productive population, community services, an expanded tax base, and resource conservation.
5.  Organizational Records:  The Board of Directors shall assure that official records and documents are established, secured, and maintained to comply with State and Federal law (records retention and management) and to protect the validity and integrity of Center actions in the event of audit or legal challenges.


C.  Financial Administration

1.  Funds Management:  The North Georgia RDC funds management system shall serve to aid in planning and controlling income and expenditures, safeguard assets, validate accounting data, and promote operational efficiency; and the system shall adhere to generally accepted managerial policies, state and federal regulations, and policies of the Board of Directors.
2.  Accounting:  The NGRDC shall maintain a financial accounting system which complies with generally accepted governmental accounting principles and practices.
3.  Compliance Monitoring/Grant Administration:The NGRDC shall adhere to the monitoring and administrative requirements of contracts and grants from both State and Federal sources.


D.  Staff Operations

1.  Personnel Organization and Management:The NGRDC shall employ necessary and qualified personnel and shall manage its personnel according to personnel policies and practices established as provided in the NGRDC Bylaws, State law, and applicable Federal laws and regulations.
2.  Office Procedures and Supervision:  NGRDC facilities shall be managed to provide a safe, functional, and professional work place; and to protect and maintain physical and informational resources according to applicable laws, regulations, and contractual commitments.
3.  Information and Communications:  NGRDC shall carry out its responsibilities for keeping government officials, community leaders, and the general public informed about the Center and to otherwise meet requirements of laws, regulations, and contract terms and conditions.
4.  Performance Audits/Evaluations and Monitoring:  The NGRDC shall participate in and respond cooperatively to performance audits, compliance reviews, and evaluation procedures as provided in State law and Federal program regulations, and NGRDC policies.
II.  PROGRAMS

A.  NGRDC Mission Statement

1.  Program Purposes/Functions:  The purposes and functions of the NGRDC shall be directed at meeting the regional organization needs of its member local governments and the requirements of the State.
2.  Program Designations and Funding:  The NGRDC shall seek and maintain program designations, undertake program initiatives, and leverage State and Federal funds consistent with its purposes and of benefit to the region.
B.  Organization
1.  Programs and Funding Policy:  NGRDC program initiatives shall be organized and funded to achieve Center purposes as directed by the Board of Directors.
2.  Services Organization/Missions:  NGRDC program services shall be functionally organized and guided by service mission statements to assure qualified services and maximize resources.
3.  Work Program:  The NGRDC shall maintain an annual program of services which comprehensively and summarily describes the Center's scope of work activities.
C.  Program Policy Development and Maintenance
1.  Regional Coordinated and Comprehensive Planning:  The NGRDC, as the State designated Regional Development Center, shall develop, promote, and assist in the establishment of coordinated and comprehensive planning within the region consistent with the provisions of the Georgia Planning Act.
2.  Enterprise Development:  NGRDC shall encourage, promote, and pursue programs and policies, which will facilitate the expansion of job opportunities and tax base, including financing programs to assist businesses striving to create or retain jobs and improve the economy of North Georgia.
3.  Regional Natural Resources Planning and Coordination:  NGRDC shall encourage, promote, and pursue programs and policies to improve the quality of life within the region by preserving the environmental quality through the protection of the area's sensitive natural resources.
4.  Regional Historic Resources Planning and Coordination:  NGRDC shall encourage, promote, and pursue programs and policies to improve the quality of life within the region through the protection of the area's heritage and related historic resources.
5.  Regional Transportation Planning and Coordination:  NGRDC shall encourage, promote, and pursue programs and policies through which transportation needs within North Georgia can be served in an efficient and effective manner.
6.  Regional Functional (Facilities/Services) Planning and Coordination:  NGRDC shall encourage, promote, and pursue programs and policies, which will provide improved coordination among governmental agencies striving to serve North Georgia.
7.  Community Development:  The NGRDC shall encourage, promote, and pursue programs and policies to improve and strengthen the fiscal capabilities of local governments including securing alternative sources of funding for infrastructure and services needed to support areawide development.
8.  Regional Date/Information System:  The NGRDC shall establish and maintain a regional data base and information management system to support NGRDC planning and technical assistance programs, to assist data/information needs of public and private sector entities, and to participate in the Georgia data base network according to State guidelines.
9.  Policy Consistency/Review:  NGRDC shall review and evaluate local plans, state or federal grant and/or loan applications, and other governmental actions for consistency with adopted regional development policies and other State impact review requirements.
10.  Local Planning Services:  NGRDC shall assist local governments in carrying out local and State law initiatives to manage growth and development, maximize public investments in public facilities and services, and to address local objectives for community improvement.
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