Quality of Life Indicators

effective government engagement data

citizen engagement in the government process
diversity in local government
diversity on community boards, councils & commissions

citizen engagement in the government process

Effectively participating in the government process is central to a democracy. According to a recent report, 21.3% of people in Nevada engaged in civic life in 2006 (6.2% of whom attended public meetings), ranking 51st across states in the Civic Life Index.  Understanding barriers to meaningful participation could increase future engagement.  [Corporation for National & Community Service, Volunteering in America:  2007 State Trends and Rankings in Civic Life]

Additional measures have been suggested (inventory of e-government transactions capable of being conducted online, number of nontraditional government office hours, number of government offices outside traditional central facilities, inventory of leadership opportunities) and although these measures indicate government accessibility, there aren’t central data sources, and the data could fluctuate greatly over time. As available, TMT will attempt to track additional measures.

According to TMT’s December 2007 community survey of Washoe County residents, aside from voting, 29.4% reported participating in the government process in the last year, while 67.8% did not.  Of those participating in the government process, 25.2% reported general community service/meetings, followed by 20.4% corresponding with officials, 20.4% lobby/campaign/donations, 8.2% committee/board member, 6.8% jury duty/legal system, 4.1% flyers/petitions/protest, and 2.7% general volunteering.

diversity in local government

Levels of participation and inclusion in local government can be influenced through outreach campaigns and leadership training to widen future government employee recruitment. TMT surveyed the three local governments and will post data on the diversity of staff, as available from the Cities of Reno and Sparks, as well as Washoe County..

diversity on community boards, councils & commissions

Levels of participation and inclusion in local government can be influenced through outreach campaigns and leadership training to widen future candidate pools, for citizens.

TMT surveyed the three local governments and will post data on the diversity elected and appointed members of community boards, councils and commissions as available from the Cities of Reno and Sparks, as well as Washoe County.