4.3b ERMUSR 02-13-2024Proposed ERMU Commission Evaluation Questions — 2024
Question 1— Combines original questions 1,2, and 7, provided below, significant elements highlighted.
Organizational Purpose: The Authority and Purpose Policies category in ERMU's Commission
Governance Policies provides clearly defined guidelines and direction for decisions and planning. When
making decisions on immediate action items and when planning for future needs the commission's
decisions consistently align with the organizational purpose, mission, vision, and values.
Commission Purpose: As adopted in Commission Policy G.2 Commission Purpose and consistent with
policy G.4e Core Customer Services, the commission's principal purpose is to ensure that the
organization achieves the desired results for the intended beneficiaries at acceptable costs through
acceptable means. In other words, the commission achieves the right things for the right people at the
right costs in the right way. The commission has consistently demonstrated compliance with this policy
through governance and oversight.
One Voice: It is the responsibility of the commission to engage in discussion to fully explore topics to
make the best decisions possible with the information available at the time. Even if the commission does
not have consensus, it is the responsibility of the commission to support the majority vote of a quorum
of the commission members on any official action of the commission body. The commission body's
actions demonstrate "one voice" consistent with adopted Commission Governance Policy G.3a
Controlling Authority.
New Question 1:
The Commission makes decisions in accordance with ERMU's purpose, mission, vision, and values to
achieve desired results and collectively supports those decisions.
Question 2 — Combines original questions 3 and 5, provided below, significant elements highlighted.
Relationship with the City: Although governed autonomously from the City of Elk River, ERMU is part of
the city government. The commission and council have aligned responsibilities to serve the community.
The commission has demonstrated alignment with the council in ways that realized opportunities for
greater value while maintaining their fiduciary responsibilities to ERMU customers through both action
and support consistent with Commission Governance Policy G.2a Commission — City Council Relationship
and Roles.
Ethics: Commissioners demonstrate behavior consistent with ERMU's standards of high ethical conduct
and governing style as adopted in the Commission Governance Policies including policies G.2b Governing
Style and G.2e Commission Member Conduct
New Question 2:
The Commission partners with the City on opportunities to bring greater value to the community,
while maintaining its responsibility to ERMU customers as well as its governance and conduct policies.
Question 3 — Reorganizes and simplifies original question 4, provided below, significant elements
highlighted.
Preparedness: Consistent with policy G.2b Governing Style, Commission members devote appropriate
attention, time, and energy to governing effectively by taking advantage of opportunities for continuing
education, development, and industry networking; and, commission members are present and engaged
during official meetings prepared to perform their assigned duties, participate in discussion, and make
decisions in a manner consistent with policy G.2e Commission Member Conduct.
New Question 3:
Commission members are present and engaged during official meetings, prepared to perform their
assigned duties, participate in discussion, and make decisions. Members also take advantage of
opportunities for continuing education, development, and industry networking.
Question 4 — Reorganizes and simplifies original question 8, provided below, significant elements
highlighted.
One Direct Report: The commission body has one direct report. As adopted in Commission Governance
Policy G.3c General Manager Accountability, the commission as a body and the commission members
individually will never give direction to anyone other than the General Manager, and will refrain from
evaluating, either formally or informally, the job performance of any
employee other than the General Manager.
New Question 4:
The Commission as a body and its individual members never provide direction or job performance
evaluation, either formal or informal, to any employee other than the general manager.
Question 5 — Reorganizes and simplifies original question 9, provided below, significant elements
highlighted.
Organizational Performance: The commission effectively monitors organizational performance utilizing
either internal or external methods measuring performance against expected outcomes (for example,
the annual budget) and clearly defined goals (for example, the Utilities Performance Metrics Scorecard)
as established in Commission Governance Policy G.3d Monitoring Performance
of the General Manager and G.5 Goals and Results.
New Question 5:
The Commission effectively monitors organizational performance utilizing either internal or external
methods, measuring performance against expected outcomes and clearly defined goals.
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Question 6 — Reorganizes and simplifies original question 13, provided below, significant elements
highlighted.
Planning: The commission demonstrates the ability through governance and oversight to plan for
immediate and future needs by effective budgeting and planning consistent with policies
G.4c Strategic and Business Planning and G.4h Financial Planning and Budgeting.
New Question 6:
The Commission demonstrates the ability, through governance and oversight, to plan for immediate
and future needs by effective budgeting and planning consistent with policy.
Question 7 — Reorganizes and simplifies original question 14, provided below, significant elements
highlighted.
Assets, Risk, and Compliance: Consistent with adopted policies G.41 Protection of Assets, G.4m
Corporate Risk Management, and G.4n Legal and Regulatory Compliance, the commission effectively
protects ERMU through governance and oversight ensuring the protection of assets,
mitigation of risks, and legal compliance.
New Question 7.
The Commission ensures the protection of assets, the mitigation of risks, and legal compliance through
governance and oversight.
Question 8
With respect to the Commission's performance, what has been done well?
Question 9
With respect to the Commission's performance, what should be done differently?
Question 10
With respect to ERMU governance, what additional comments do you have?
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