The county council regards economical and efficient management and the judicious use of public funds and resources as a primary responsibility of the various public agencies and departments. The expanded scope, complexity and cost of county government necessary to respond to increased needs and demands of county residents make it essential that each county department, agency and instrumentality, and each government related and funded entity, have strong financial management and sound management practices and controls. County growth has added to the duties and responsibilities of government officials and employees. Every available tool is needed to help in the administration of programs and the expenditure of funds in accordance with the needs of county citizens as those needs are expressed through actions of the county council.
On several occasions the county council has recognized the need for assurance that the manner in which certain programs and activities are being operated is in the best interests of the county. Staff and time limitations on the part of the council have, in most cases, made impossible the investigation and evaluation by the council itself. Frequently the council has found it necessary to rely on review and evaluation by the officials responsible for the programs and activities in question or by entities directly or indirectly related to those programs and activities. It is clear to the council that this procedure is no longer a satisfactory method to assure confidence in the integrity and efficiency of county government and government related activities within the community. A sound on-going mechanism for objective review and evaluation outside the programs and activities under consideration is urgently needed. The council intends this chapter to provide the means for determining how well management, financial and program responsibilities of organizations using county funds are carried out. (1976 L.M.C., ch. 18, § 1.)