
| Back to A methodological review of U.S. indicator projects | e. Life in Jacksonville: Quality Indicators
for Progress - Jacksonville, Florida Jacksonville's indicator project was funded by the Chamber of Commerce and the Jacksonville Community Council, Inc. The chair of the Community Council's board chose the head of a steering committee, who selected committee members based on their volunteer experiences, leadership capabilities, and areas of expertise. The steering committee then formed subcommittees/task forces for nine basic aspects of quality of life topics. For each topic they selected up to ten indicators, which were published in a draft report. The final report contained 75 quality of life indicators in Jacksonville, which 12-15 volunteers have replicated annually. In addition to indicators with "hard data," opinion surveys helped quantify people's perceptions of community quality of life. This project was created and designed by a citizenís task force of about 100 in 1985. For most indicators, they have data from 1983, which provide some interesting trend lines. In 1991, they set community targets for each indicator for the year 2000. These targets were set by another task force with about 140 members. Each year, a citizensí committee reviews and monitors the project giving the different areas gold stars (to indicate progress) or red flags (to indicate digression). The JCCI is about to begin a rethinking process for its indicators that will include consideration of the interrelationships among indicators, as well as differences among neighborhoods within Jacksonville. One reason for the large participation in the process is that the JCCI is a large, established organization with 500-600 members. They advertised the project in newspapers and through interest group contacts. Each incoming chair of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce serves as chair of the quality of life projectís annual volunteer review committee. After several years, the funding for the project shifted from the Chamber of Commerce to city government, and after 11 years, the city began specifically to take certain indicators into account in its annual budgeting process. This was a well-designed project that is having a direct impact on community and government sustainability. Their process was democratic, of manageable size, and well connected to local government. As a result, the citizens of Jacksonville seem to be excited and proactive about sustainability and finding practical applications for their indicator project. |
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