5/20/26
QUESTIONS TO DRIVE THE PALO ALTO CAO EVALUATION PROCESS –
Council would like the appointed officials to respond to some specific questions in the self- evaluation, which will help focus the Council interviews and final evaluation:
a. What do you consider your key achievements in the last fiscal year, including as called out in Council-identified priorities and the specific goals identified in your most recent performance evaluation (performance against goals, including KPI’s as appropriate)?
b. What do you see as areas of concern or vulnerability (to include organization- wide and/or department-specific comments, but not personnel-specific). c. How are your direct reports performing? (for example: productivity, morale, collaboration, communication, recruitment, etc.).
d. What are the trends you see from your vantage point and expertise that the City needs to be thinking about (regional, state, national, etc. issues that impact the City)?
e. What is your characterization of the effectiveness and quality of Appointed Official/Elected Official relationships (availability, responsiveness, communication, open mindedness, etc.). What could both sides do to improve the relationship?
f. What are your suggested priorities for the coming year, and how would you measure their success (draft KPIs)?
g. What do you need from the Council in the next fiscal year and beyond to be successful?
h. What else would you like to share with the Council?
i. Please provide an update on the “Areas of Development” from last year. j. What are your observations on the organization’s fiscal health (strengths and risks). For CM only
k. For the City Attorney: Please modify as appropriate given your short tenure and no formal goals established. And add: What are your observations and ideas so far on the organization, your department – it’s staffing and structure, and the significant legal issues currently or potentially facing the City.