A new study

gives Fulton County's government a C for its overall operations, but said

the county is making marked improvement.

The Government

Performance Project was conducted by researchers at Syracuse University's

Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

Since 1996,

under the auspices of The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Maxwell School of

Citizenship and Public Affairs of Syracuse University has rated the management

capacity of local and state governments and selected federal agencies

in the United States. This yaer's study evaluated the effectiveness of

40 large counties around the nation.

The study evaluated

five key areas of management. The county received its highest grade, a

B minus, in financial management.

Researchers

said the county maintains a professional staff and they were happy to

see the county implement a new five-year financial forecast and operating

plan.

But the study

said the county is still suffering from a legacy of bribery scandals and

researchers did not like the fact that all contracts need Board of Commissioners

approval. Capital management, managing for results, and human resources

all scored C's in the evaluation.

The county

scored its lowest grade in information technology. Researchers said the

county's Web site is weak and there is a frequent leadership turnover.

The study also

slammed an "archaic" tax information system and said a lack

of standards in the past led to a "hodgepodge" of wiring, equipment

and software.

County manager

Tom Andrews did not return calls for comments on the study.