98 COMMUNITY EXPERIENCES MASTER PLAN PROGRAM CLASSIFICATION Conducting a classification of services analysis informs how each program serves the overall organization mission, the goals and objectives of each Core Program Area, and how the program should be funded regarding tax dollars and/or user fees and charges. How a program is classified can help determine the most appropriate management, funding, and marketing strategies. Program classifications are based on the degree to which the program provides a public benefit versus a private benefit. Public benefit can be described as everyone receiving the same level of benefit with equal access, whereas private benefit can be described as the user receiving exclusive benefit above what a general taxpayer receives for their personal benefit. For this exercise, the department used a classification method based on three categories: Essential Services, Important Services, and Value-Added Services. Where a program or service is classified depends upon alignment with the organizational mission, how the public perceives a program, legal mandates, financial sustainability, personal benefit, competition in the marketplace, and access by participants. The following graphic describes each of the three program classifications. VALUE-ADDED SERVICES department Could Provide; with additional resources, it adds value to community, supports Essential & Important Services, is supported by the community, generates income, has an individual benefit, can be supported by user fees, enhances the community, and requires little to no subsidy. IMPORTANT SERVICES department Should Provide; if it expands & enhances core services, is broadly supported and used, has conditional public support, there is an economic / social / environmental outcome to the community, has community importance, and needs moderate subsidy. ESSENTIAL SERVICES department Must Provide; if it protects assets and infrastructure, is expected and supported, is a sound investment of public funds, is a broad public benefit, there is a negative impact if not provided, is part of the mission, and needs significant to complete subsidy.
