Las Cruces transitions to ‘PEAK’ performance system

The City of Las Cruces has adopted a new system to evaluate how satisfied citizens are with their municipal government.

“We’re asking the community what it is that they want to experience from us,” said Stuart Ed, the city’s manager. “What is it that they need from us in order to create that quality of place for them to thrive.”

The performance system is called ‘PEAK,’ which Ed said stands for:

Perform mission Evaluate outcomes Assess measures Keep climbing

Each department within the city must identify a critical mission as part of the new system. Ed said every department head will be trained by the Performance Institute in Washington, D.C.

“It’s a process of constant improvement,” Ed said. “So, we’re never going to rest. No organization is ever perfect.”

The city manager said implementing the program will take about three weeks for every department. The entire city should make the transition by the end of 2018.

The city manager said Las Cruces will also focus on a number of community initiatives to better engage with the public.

“We have the horsepower, we have the talent, and we have the desire to better serve our community,” Ed said.

Ed also promised that every department will have a dashboard on the city’s website. Citizens can also submit suggestions for various departments to QualityOfPlace@Las-Cruces.org or through the city’s new app, “Ask Las Cruces.”