Mecklenburg County's 2006 Performance Report shows that about 45 percent of the Board of County Commissioners' long-term goals received "green lights," indicating either the results have been achieved or are on target for being achieved. Fifty-seven percent received red or yellow lights with improved performance.

The annual Performance Report is available in a variety of locations:

• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, 600 East Fourth Street
• Hal Marshall County Services Center, 700 North Tryon Street
• Public libraries
• MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
• Call 704-336-2475
• January 19 edition of the Charlotte Business Journal

The annual Performance Report uses objective data to measure and report on the County's performance. Mecklenburg County uses a performance management tool called the Balanced Scorecard, which targets goals in one of four focus areas: community health and safety, growth management and environment, social, education and economic opportunity and effective and efficient government. Each focus area has long-term measures to evaluate performance, aligned to the Board of County Commissioners' community vision.

Results are reported using red, yellow, and green light indicators. A green light means the goal has been achieved or performance is at least 95% of the long-term target.

A few examples of green lights in the 2006 Performance Report:

• The rate of abused children in Mecklenburg County is 4.03 per 1,000, which is below the state's 11.25 rate.
• Seventy-five percent of eligible inmates have received alternative sentencing.
• The County preserved six new historic sites.
• There is a 2.05% increase in total jobs and the unemployment rate remains below that of North Carolina's.
• The County has maintained its Triple A bond rating.
• 82% of County employees are satisfied with their jobs.

A yellow light means performance is between 86 - 94%; red lights mean 85% or lower:

• Customer satisfaction for parks is 89% and 23.3 miles of greenways have been completed.
• A 71% customer satisfaction rating for County services.
• 57% of the County's revenue comes from property tax dollars.
• The pre-trial inmate rate remains well above the arrest rate (12.12%: 3.75%).
• The County has reached 29% of targeted health goals, including low adolescent pregnancy, preventable mortality and communicable disease rates.
• 64% of goals for improving air quality, water quality, and solid waste management.
• 13.9% of residents are on public assistance.
• Literacy index: Fewer than 95% of students perform at or above grade level on End of Grade testing.
• Property tax revenue is 2.02% of household income.
• The County has a 64% retention rate among new hires for at least two years.