North Dakota Lawmakers Tackle Performance Measurement Gaps

During a recent session, North Dakota lawmakers initiated a task force aimed at enhancing government efficiency, informally dubbed TOGE, to distinguish it from the federal initiative led by former President Donald Trump. State Auditor Josh Gallion, who is actively involved in the task force, highlighted a significant issue: the absence of clear performance measures for state policies. This lack of defined metrics hampers the evaluation of economic development programs designed to create jobs and attract workers.

Identifying the Performance Gap

In a discussion on the podcast Plain Talk, Gallion emphasized that the state often implements initiatives without establishing criteria to assess their success. “I think what we learned … was we don’t have performance measures,” he stated. He pointed out that investments, such as $1 million into workforce programs, need to be scrutinized for their effectiveness. “Is it affecting change? Is it moving the needle?” Gallion questioned, stressing the importance of calculating the impact of such funding.

This task force, while still in its formative stages, aims to provide solutions to these longstanding challenges in policy evaluation. By addressing the gap in performance metrics, lawmakers hope to ensure that state investments yield tangible results, such as increased job creation and worker relocation.

Controversy Over Audit Findings

During the same episode, Gallion addressed a contentious audit of Stark County conducted by his office. The findings indicated that the county was violating state law by exceeding the limit on general fund carry-over balances, which should not exceed 75% of the previous year’s revenues. Following the release of the report, Stark County acknowledged the findings but contested the wording of the response attributed to them.

“We wanted them to state we agree or disagree,” Gallion remarked. “That should be the beginning of every response.”

He claimed that the modification of the county’s response was made after consultation. However, Stark County Auditor/Treasurer Karen Richard expressed her discontent, stating, “I wrote our responses to the audit for Stark County, and I don’t think they should have changed them.” Richard noted her appreciation for the clarification regarding the changes but maintained that the original language should have remained intact.

Additionally, co-host Chad Oban and Gallion discussed the ongoing standoff involving Governor Kelly Armstrong, Senate Majority Leader David Hogue, and Senate Minority Leader Kathy Hogan regarding new appointments to the state Ethics Committee. As lawmakers navigate these critical discussions, the focus remains on improving transparency and accountability within the state government.

Listeners interested in participating in Plain Talk can easily connect by calling or texting 701-587-3141. The podcast aims to engage the public, encouraging feedback and dialogue on important state issues.

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