For almost a decade, ICMA México-Latinoamérica (ICMA-ML), formerly known as ICMA-Latinoamérica, has promoted professional management in Mexico and Latin America, implementing ICMA’s mission to encourage excellence in local governance worldwide. In May 2013, ICMA-ML was invited by the National Federation of Municipalities of Mexico (FENAMM) to the first national Conference of the Confederation of Municipalities in León, Guanajato. More than four thousand local government officials gathered at the conference inaugurated by Mexico’s President, Enrique Peña Nieto.

At the conference, ICMA-ML had the opportunity to hold its annual Performance Indicator System meeting (Sistema de Indicadores de  Sesempeño, SINDES ), which was modeled after ICMA’s Center for Performance Measurement. SINDES originated in 2001 and was the first formal governmental performance measurement program in Mexico. The program was implemented in partnership with the Mexican Association of Municipalities (Asociación de Municipios de Mexico, AMMAC), an ICMA affiliate organization.

Forty-four participants from twelve jurisdictions attended the SINDES annual meeting on May 15, 2013, where ICMA-ML presented two case studies of municipalities using performance indicators to improve local governance efficiency. The local government in Navolato, a small municipality in the state of Sinaloa, struggles with operating and financial challenges, as well as drug trafficking violence. After joining the SINDES consortium one year ago, Navolato formally introduced performance indicators, which have identified improvement areas for the municipal government. Throughout the year, Navolato established a successful performance measurement system and received much support from the State Economic Development Council (CODESIN). ICMA-ML has been collaborating with CODESIN to promote better management practices in Sinaloa’s municipalities for more than 12 years.

Auditor Jorge Pacheco presented a second case study involving the State of Campeche, which houses the first State Auditor office in Mexico to introduce performance measurement indicators in standard audit reports. The incorporated performance indicators have been used for ten years now. ICMA assisted the Auditor office with the development of the indicators in 2002 and 2003 under a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) supported program. Tirso Rodriguez de la Gala, the Financial Officer for the State Government in Campeche, and also the former State Auditor who developed the indicators, acknowledged that these indicators provide significant information regarding trends which support the government’s financial decisions. Campeche is exploring new mechanisms to better the quality of local governments in the region.

As ICMA-ML prepares for its ten year anniversary as ICMA´s Mexico office, it reconfirms its commitment to improve local governance in the Latin American region. In addition to building long-standing relationships with FENAMM, CODESIN, and the State of Campeche, other accomplishments include the implementation of institutional strengthening support programs, and providing resources and training on good governance. Please visit ICMA-ML’s webpage for additional information about its specific projects. To learn more about ICMA International, visit the website and the International Development topic in the Knowledge Network, or contact international@icma.org.