In Focus
Below are recent studies, reports, magazine articles, and other resources that MRSC has collected regarding local government topics.
All links go to external websites. Please note that these links were valid at the time of their original posting, but because websites and addresses may change, we cannot guarantee that all links still work.
Browse In Focus Articles by Topic
Leading in the Middle: Managing Up and Down in Local Government (April 16, 2021)
Four skills for mid-career managers to master their current role and prepare for future executive leadership. More from ICMA Blog.
Kansas Remote Tampering Case Raises Water Treatment Concerns (April 15, 2021)
A former employee of the Post Rock Rural Water District is accused of tampering with water treatment systems after leaving the job two months earlier. The incident, and others like it, raise serious cybersecurity concerns. More from Government Technology.
Addressing Vaccination Hesitancy in Public Employees (April 14, 2021)
Local government managers are bridging the gap to a 100% vaccinated workforce. More from ICMA Blog.
Cities' Pandemic Struggle to Balance Homelessness and Public Safety (April 13, 2021)
Addressing homelessness has taken on new urgency in cities across the country over the past year, as officials grapple with a growing unhoused population and the need to preserve public safety during the coronavirus pandemic. More from Axios.
Settling Conflicts in a Remote-Work World (April 8, 2021)
Now that COVID-19 has introduced a widespread telecommuting culture that many workplaces plan to continue, new problems are arising for managers. More from SHRM.
Can Planting More Trees Keep Cities From Heating Up? (April 7, 2021)
Creating an urban forest can be trickier than it seems. More from Popular Science.
How to Bring Manufacturing Back to Cities — and Bring People of Color Along Too (April 6, 2021)
Here are four solutions to help BIPOC manufacturers gain a foothold in the quickly-growing space of small-scale manufacturing and product businesses. More from Next City.
5 Reforms for Cities to Increase Affordability (April 2, 2021)
Salim Furth, Senior Research Fellow at Mercatus Center at George Mason University, discusses barriers to building more affordable communities and highlights a few easy-to-implement solutions to alleviate housing affordability issues. More from Multi-Housing News.
Struggling Counties Get a Boost from Stimulus Windfall (April 1, 2021)
The pandemic and vaccine rollout remain the top priority for counties. Federal stimulus dollars will help with that, along with other responsibilities, including public safety and schools. More from Governing.
Los Angeles’s Standard Plan Program for ADUs Takes Aim at the Housing Crisis (March 31, 2021)
In response to the growing popularity of ADUs as a way to boost affordability, the city’s plan includes 20 pre-approved designs contributed by 14 firms. More from Metropolis.
How Should Local Leaders Use Their American Rescue Plan Funding? (March 25, 2021)
The decisions made in the coming weeks— and over the next year regarding the second tranche of funding—will determine whether cities merely enjoy a brief stimulus or seed a new trajectory of inclusive economic growth. More from Brookings.
Ripe for Innovation: Alternative Service Delivery in Local Government (March 24, 2021)
Survey conducted by ICMA provides data on changing alternative service delivery trends due to COVID-19. More from ICMA Blog.
Managing Hostility in Public Discourse (March 23, 2021)
How do we manage the differing opinions and behaviors of our community members and channel their intense civic passion into effective decision making that can actually benefit our communities? More from ICMA Blog.
Five Ways Local Governments Can Be a Trusted Source for Vaccine Information (March 19, 2021)
The necessity for regular communication with the public has never been greater. More from ICMA Blog.
Pandemic Reinforces Washington’s Need for Public Health Funding (March 18, 2021)
For years, the state’s Department of Health had urged lawmakers and Gov. Inslee to increase funding for public health programs. Now, the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the need for better fiscal support. More from Governing.
How Pre-Approved ADUs Will Tackle California’s Housing Shortage (March 17, 2021)
Aiming to fast-track permits for accessory dwelling units, the city of Los Angeles launches a program that offers a variety of pre-approved single-family homes designed by esteemed firms. More from Surface.
Why Local Leaders Are Declaring Racism A Public Health Crisis (March 16, 2021)
The devastating impact of the pandemic on communities of color has prompted a new examination of public health crises leading to over 90 cities publicly declaring racism a public health crisis in 2020. More from CitiesSpeak.
Overcoming vaccine hesitancy requires two-way communication (March 12, 2021)
Overcoming vaccine hesitancy takes patience, understanding, cultural competence and a united message with health care providers and social and community partners. More from NACo's County News.
Bay Area Cities Go to War Over Gas Stoves in Homes and Restaurants (March 11, 2021)
Environmentalists say gas appliances spew greenhouse gases and exacerbate asthma. Restaurant owners and chefs say you can’t cook food properly with electricity. More from U.S. News & World Report.
Where the ‘15-Minute City’ Falls Short (March 10, 2021)
Urban experts warn that a popular post-pandemic design principle may not translate well from Europe to North America, and could exacerbate inequality. More from Bloomberg CityLab.
New Index Ranks State Efforts to Alleviate Youth Homelessness (March 9, 2021)
The research findings suggest it’s an area where many states have room for improvement. More from Route Fifty.
Hack of Florida Water Treatment Plant Should Be a Wake-Up Call, Experts Say (March 5, 2021)
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency should be involved every step of the way, a former presidential adviser said. More from Route Fifty.
How Cities Can Make Cybersecurity a Top Priority (March 4, 2021)
Recent cyberattacks have underlined risks to local infrastructure. Some of these attacks might have been prevented with “basic digital hygiene,” experts say. More from Bloomberg CityLab.
To Create More Affordable Housing, Make Zoning Hyperlocal (March 3, 2021)
What if residents on a single block could make their own decision to allow denser housing? More from CityLab.
For Cities, Less Traffic Means Lost Revenue (March 2, 2021)
Cities have seen parking fee and traffic fine collections drop during the pandemic as commuters and tourists stay home and enforcement is relaxed. More from Route Fifty.
Failed Poisoning Attempt Shows Vulnerability of Smaller Water Systems to Hackers (February 26, 2021)
While cybersecurity resources can be scarce at small agencies, there are some basics steps they can take to protect themselves. More from Route Fifty.
Equity Budgeting in Cities: Directing Dollars Where They’re Needed Most (February 24, 2021)
A growing number of cities are turning to their budget offices to help treat historically underserved communities more fairly. More from Route Fifty.
The Future of "Smart" Cities is in Street Lights (February 23, 2021)
Cities are rushing to replace their legacy street lights with "smart" LED fixtures that could one day be able to find you a parking space, monitor air quality, and announce an oncoming thunderstorm. More from Axios.
Pandemic Fundamentally Alters Transit Systems (February 22, 2021)
County transit systems across the country have watched their ridership plummet in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. More from NACo's County News.
The Danger of Conflating State and Local Pandemic Relief (February 19, 2021)
Although state and local relief have been grouped together in terms of a Federal recovery bill, states and cities have different revenue streams, muddying the picture of the true impact of the pandemic at the local level. More from CitiesSpeak.
Boise’s Affordable Housing Land Trust Strategy Includes Office Conversions (February 18, 2021)
More cities around the country are looking into the possibility of converting unused office space into affordable housing. More from Next City.
County Officials Face Threats Amid Divisiveness (February 18, 2021)
County leaders are facing pressure and threats to their safety they had never imagined in their line of work. More from NACo's County News.
Lessons from the Pandemic on Keeping People Housed in a Crisis and Beyond (February 16, 2021)
The pandemic catalyzed many emergency initiatives to address housing instability. Cities and communities stood up new rental assistance programs, passed temporary laws, implemented new policies, and built partnerships between providers both within and outside local governments. More from CitiesSpeak.
Building COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence Through Effective Communication and Community Engagement (February 12, 2021)
Ensuring acceptance and trust for the COVID-19 vaccines is critical to achieving herd immunity, protecting the most vulnerable populations, and reopening social and economic life. More from CitiesSpeak.
Evidence on Post-Pandemic Telecommuting (February 11, 2021)
More studies have been published indicating that telecommuting is likely to be far more important after the pandemic than it was before. More from New Geography.
Digitization Helps Ohio Fire Department Save on Costs (February 10, 2021)
The Parma, Ohio, Fire Department’s transition to an all-digital operation became official late last year with Fire Chief Michael Lasky touting a more than $10,000 annual savings for the city. More from Government Technology.
5 Lessons Trader Joe’s Can Teach the City of the Future (February 9, 2021)
Making the cities of tomorrow more resilient to pandemics and other threats won’t require completely rethinking planning and design as we know them, but it will require functional problem-solving, practical solutions, better data mining and analysis, and more flexibility. More from Urban Edge.
Surveying Restrictive Regulations: What Do Planners Know? (February 5, 2021)
How do researchers inventory restrictive regulations and assess their relationship to the underproduction of housing? More from APA Blog.
Four Goals to Realize a Commitment to Equity (February 4, 2021)
Normalize, organize, operationalize, and assess. More from ICMA Blog.
We Know How to Do This: Managing Vaccine Distribution for the Common Good (February 2, 2021)
Recent experience shows public managers should strategically consider seven lessons we have learned from other local government service delivery practices to better handle our vaccination programs. More from ICMA Blog.
The Urban Play Framework: An Approach for Understanding the Play Experience in Cities (January 29, 2021)
In order to thrive in today’s rapidly changing world, children need rich learning opportunities in and out of school that allow them to adapt and engage in independent and lifelong learning. More from Brookings.
Make Way for the ‘One-Minute City’ (January 28, 2021)
While the “15-minute city” model promotes neighborhood-level urban planning, Sweden is pursuing a hyper-local twist: a scheme to redesign every street in the nation. More from CityLab.
Charlotte May Have Cracked the Code on Affordable Housing. Here’s how (January 27, 2021)
A $58 million fund is being used to buy up affordable buildings and keep the rents low. More from Fast Company.
Communication Campaign for Vaccines: ‘Most Important One We’re Going to Do’ (January 26, 2021)
Counties are handling most of the communications and logistical work needed to get residents set up for COVID-19 vaccinations. More from NACo's County News.
Poll: Growing Share of Americans Would Choose Towns, Rural Areas Over Cities, Suburbs (January 22, 2021)
A Gallup poll found 48% of Americans in 2020 preferred to live in towns or rural areas, compared to 39% in 2018. More from Route Fifty.
Report: Stop Lines do Little to Encourage Drivers to Stop (January 21, 2021)
Stop lines, the thick white bars painted ahead of intersections, do little to prevent crashes or influence driver behavior, a 14-year study found. More from Route Fifty.
Mid-Size Jurisdictions Accelerate Cloud Adoption (January 20, 2021)
Lessons from the COVID-19 response push cities and counties toward a multicloud future. More from Government Technology.
New Law Aims to Help Localities Shift to '.Gov' Web Addresses (January 19, 2021)
Many local governments rely on “.com” or “.org” URLs, making it easier for cyber criminals to trick users with imposter websites. More from Route Fifty.
How Downtowns Can Rebound After the Pandemic (January 15, 2021)
They have to offer more than office space. More from Route Fifty.
Cutting-edge Financial Technology is a Must for Local Governments Recovering from the Pandemic (January 14, 2021)
States and municipalities who have had to adopt remote services amid the coronavirus pandemic should scale up their digital infrastructure to maintain their ability to collect and reconcile payments. More from Route Fifty.
Silo Busting: The Challenges and Successes of Intergovernmental Data Sharing (January 13, 2021)
This report offers a rich description of what intergovernmental data sharing can offer by describing a range of federal, state, and local data sharing initiatives in various policy arenas, such as social services, transportation, health, and criminal justice. More from the IBM Center for the Business of Government.
‘Slow Streets’ Disrupted City Planning. What Comes Next? (January 11, 2021)
In many cities, the swift rollout of car-restricted streets at the start of the pandemic faced fierce community resistance. Now planners are changing their playbook. More from CityLab.
With COVID-19 Limiting Shelter Capacity, What Will It Mean for People Experiencing Homelessness? (January 8, 2021)
A looming eviction crisis is rightfully garnering a lot of attention, but another crisis is unfolding that’s received much less attention: homeless shelters are closed or operating at limited capacity. More from The Urban Institute.
Report Lays Out Framework for a Cascadia High-Speed Rail Authority (January 6, 2021)
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) recently released a report laying out a framework to advance Cascadia’s high-speed rail hopes. More from The Urbanist.
Survey: Residents Prefer Multiple Ways to Access Local Government Services (January 5, 2021)
But the specific type of access that residents prefer—in-person visits, phone calls, or digital—depends on where they live and how old they are. More from Route Fifty.
The Post-Pandemic Street (December 30, 2020)
For cities around the world, the pandemic created the space to accelerate ambitious goals and programs for transforming city streets. More from Planetizen.
In 2020, a Reckoning for Law Enforcement and Tech Ethics (December 29, 2020)
From worldwide protests to policy moves from technology giants like IBM and Amazon, the past year saw police use of tools like facial recognition and body cams come under scrutiny like never before. More from Government Technology.
Cloud 101 for City and County Managers (December 28, 2020)
According to Gartner, up to 60% of government organizations will use an external service provider’s cloud-managed service by 2022, doubling the percentage from 2018. More from ICMA Blog.
The State of Local Government in the Pandemic Era: Read the Survey Results (December 24, 2020)
The local government survey of U.S. cities and counties reveals trends around COVID, remote work and digital infrastructure investments. More from Governing.
Tackling the Legacy of Persistent Urban Inequality and Concentrated Poverty (December 23, 2020)
Over the past several years, the research literature pointing to the relationship between racial segregation, enduring concentrated poverty, and long-term socioeconomic inequalities in the United States has been rapidly growing. More from Brookings.
Big, Open Data Offers New Tools for Transit-Oriented Development (December 21, 2020)
As big and open data becomes more accessible, planners have new tools to revalidate or reexamine existing planning principles concerning transit-oriented development. More from APA Blog.
Preparing Utility Assistance for a Cold Winter (December 18, 2020)
Winter is coming and so is the increasing need for utility assistance. More from ICMA Blog.
Swift Shift to Telework Proves Public-Sector’s Agility (December 17, 2020)
Many public leaders long believed that the people’s business could not be done from outside the walls of government buildings, but COVID-19 showed government can function from anywhere — quickly. More from Government Technology.
Washington’s COVID-19 Alert App Is Promising (December 16, 2020)
Washington's long-awaited COVID-19 notification app WA Notify was launched recently by the state's Department of Health, and iPhone users were sent a message asking them to opt in or out by toggling a switch. More from Government Technology.
Relief Against the Piercing Cold: Homeless Shelters and Warming Centers During COVID-19 (December 15, 2020)
Local governments have capacities and programs to blunt the “bleak, dark, and piercing cold” for many homeless populations. More from ICMA Blog.
How Localities Continually Adapt Enterprise Strategies to Manage Natural Disasters (December 11, 2020)
The authors of this report delve into city-level surveys of hundreds of communities, conducted by the International City/County Managers Association, to learn firsthand what challenges face local leaders and how they prepare in advance to blunt the effects of natural disasters. More from The IBM Center for the Business of Government.
Incorporating Drones Into Planning Practice (December 10, 2020)
As technology continues to advance, drones and other autonomous aircraft present opportunities and challenges for planners. More from APA Blog.
What Makes a Community Livable? (December 9, 2020)
Few moments in history have made the importance of cities, towns and villages more clear than now, amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. More from NLC's Cities Speak.
Counties Address Pandemic Housing Needs (December 4, 2020)
Counties are tailoring housing stabilization and homeless services to stem the tide of home losses as eviction moratoriums end. More from NACo's County News.
The Affordable Housing Solution Hiding in Plain Sight (December 2, 2020)
This building type can easily be converted into new housing. And thanks to COVID-19, there’s an abundance of it. More from FastCompany.
Counties Sound Alarm About Holidays, ‘COVID-19 Fatigue’ (December 1, 2020)
As the nation enters its ninth month of coronavirus restrictions amidst rising case numbers, “COVID fatigue” is setting in right when it can be most dangerous. More from NACo's County News.
Local Health Departments Find New Ways to Provide Flu Vaccines (November 30, 2020)
Agencies are holding drive-thru flu shot events and merging Covid-19 testing and flu vaccine sites, while officials stress that people need to get their shots. More from Route Fifty.
The High Cost of a Looming Eviction Wave (November 20, 2020)
With millions of people behind on rent, there could be a lot of evictions this winter. A new report suggests the cost of these evictions on the social safety net could be astronomical. More from Route Fifty.
Election Day Spotlight Falls on County Polling Places (November 19, 2020)
In an election held during a pandemic and already charged with enthusiasm, county election departments around the country went the extra mile to maintain a sense of calm, reliability and a little levity in the face of an election that had many on edge. More from NACo's County News.
Cities Are Eyeing Microtransit During COVID-19 Pandemic (November 18, 2020)
From Los Angeles to Abu Dhabi, transit authorities are creating on-demand systems. But experts say there are tradeoffs. More from Smithsonian Magazine.
Here Are the Local Ballot Measures That Passed and Failed (November 17, 2020)
County and state referenda this election year included spending and policy questions on drugs, abortion, taxes and transportation. More from Bloomberg CityLab.
Puget Sound Regional Growth Draft Plan Centered Around Transit (November 13, 2020)
The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) has put out a draft proposal for VISION 2050, the multi-county policy document to guide regional growth through the Year 2050. More from The Urbanist.
In the Shift to Telework, Can We Secure the Virtual Office? (November 12, 2020)
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a massive move to telework for government workers and opened up new avenues for hackers to infiltrate systems — and it’s a situation that’s lasting longer than anyone expected. More from Government Technology.
COVID-19 Pandemic Shines a Light on the Need for Strong State-Local Partnerships (November 10, 2020)
Strong state-local relationship built over many years a true difference maker. More from ICMA Blog.
10 Common Outcomes of COVID-19 on Local Government Budgets (November 9, 2020)
Local jurisdictions must adapt their operations to new COVID-19-related fiscal and service constraints. There’s no single impact or response, but there are a few commonalities. More from ICMA Blog.
5 Leadership Lessons from the Coronavirus Pandemic (November 6, 2020)
How city and county managers addressed the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and what strategies were most effective. More from ICMA Blog.
Shopping Behavior Keeps Evolving as the Pandemic Continues (November 5, 2020)
Recent studies reveal dramatic shifts in consumer shopping habits with 58% of consumers saying they expect to do more online shopping after the pandemic than they did before it. More from Digital Commerce 360.
Counties grapple with fall COVID spike (November 4, 2020)
Counties in nearly half the country are battling with a spike in COVID-19 cases, according to the latest updates last week from the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. More from NACo's County News.
Slow Streets Were A Success. Should Cities Keep Them? (November 3, 2020)
A recent study examined projects to reduce car use and increase walking and biking on neighborhood streets in five cities, offering a look into how transportation data can be used to craft similar future projects. More from Government Technology.
Report: Land Use Reforms for Housing Supply (October 30, 2020)
This report provides insights into the factors that go into first passing and then implementing land use reforms to increase housing production and advance equity through two case studies. More from The Urban Institute.
Flu Shots Serve As a ‘Rehearsal’ for COVID Vaccine Delivery (October 28, 2020)
Counties are using this opportunity to test mass distribution plans for a possible COVID-19 vaccine on the horizon. More from NACo's County News.
Leaning on Partnerships Shores Up City Cybersecurity (October 27, 2020)
Local government IT teams often don’t have the resources close at hand to ensure their systems are ready to stand up to new threats, but can take advantage of state and federal resources to boost their cyberposture. More from Government Technology.
Five Charts That Explain the Homelessness-Jail Cycle—and How to Break It (October 22, 2020)
People experiencing homelessness are more likely to interact with the justice system because being forced to live outside can lead to citations or arrests for low-level offenses like loitering or sleeping in parks. More from The Urban Institute.
You Want “the Cloud?" So, Now What? (October 21, 2020)
“The Cloud” offers massive benefits to organizations and companies seeking to increase their effectiveness. Understanding the types of cloud services and the cloud deployment models that exist should help identify how your organization will function in the cloud. More from the IBM Business of Government Blog.
8 Things to Know about Vaccine Planning (October 20, 2020)
With the possibility of one or more COVID-19 vaccines becoming available before the end of the year, here are 8 things you need to know about where those plans currently stand. More from the CDC.
Using Data to Understand Your Local Eviction Crisis (October 15, 2020)
By taking these steps, cities will begin to have an up to date picture of their local eviction crisis and will be able to co-develop with residents and community stakeholders an anti-eviction strategy that works for their community. More from NLC's Cities Speak.
Counties to Play Role in Vaccine Program (October 13, 2020)
Counties will play a large role in the implementation of a COVID-19 vaccination program, as a number of the community sectors that have been identified as critical to the execution of this strategy are county owned or operated. More from NACo's County News.
Whitman County Evacuated Entire Town Ahead of Wildfires (October 9, 2020)
A combination of strong winds and dry conditions created a perfect storm for a trio of wildfires that simultaneously burned in Whitman County, Wash. on Labor Day. The first fire started in the county seat of Colfax. More from NACo's County News.
The Challenge of Revitalizing Urban Boulevards (October 8, 2020)
This article takes a tour of three places on the West Coast where the retail is at right angles to the big boulevard, including one area in Vancouver, BC where the multi-family towers have been brought into the neighborhood itself. More from New Geography.
Why Finding a Police Chief Just Got a Lot More Complicated (October 7, 2020)
Experts warn that finding the perfect police chief in the era of ‘Black Lives Matter’ is easier said than done. More from U.S. News & World Report.
New Climate Action Toolkit Will Help King County Cities Develop Customized Climate Strategies (October 6, 2020)
If approved by the County Council, the new Climate Action Toolkit that King County Executive Dow Constantine recently announced will be available at no cost to all 39 cities. More from King County.
How to Harness the Digital Transformation of the Covid Era (October 2, 2020)
To reshape technology as a job creator, it’s important to understand what, exactly, the current wave of technology is changing, and how policy makers and businesses can adapt to it. More from Harvard Business Review.
How Much is COVID-19 Hurting State and Local Revenues? (October 1, 2020)
This Q&A examines the fiscal impact that COVID-19 has had on state and local governments and is drawn from “Fiscal Effects of COVID-19,” presented at the Brookings Papers on Economic Activity on September 24, 2020. More from Brookings.
How to Make Sure City Budgets Prioritize Racial Equity (September 30, 2020)
Budgets reflect cities’ values. Places like Austin, Louisville and Fairfax County are trying new approaches to consider equity in spending plans. More from Bloomberg CityLab.
How Remote Work Can Transform Smaller Cities (September 29, 2020)
Telecommuters will transform American communities – if city leaders can persuade them to come, and stay. More from U.S. News & World Report.
How We Survive the Winter (September 24, 2020)
The coming months of the pandemic could be catastrophic. The U.S. still has ways to prepare. More from Route Fifty.
How Local Governments Can Get Feedback From a More Diverse Range of Residents (September 23, 2020)
Participation in local government often skews heavily toward white residents, elderly people, and homeowners. More from Route Fifty.
Inclusion Starts with Better Management (September 22, 2020)
To fully tap into the positive outcomes of diversity, organizations need to focus on inclusion. Here's what employees say about making diversity work. More from Route Fifty.
4 Cost-Effective Ways Planners Can Boost Census Response (September 18, 2020)
The countdown to September 30 — the last day when people in the United States can complete the 2020 Census — is on. More from APA Blog.
U.S. Election Assistance Commission Releases New Resources to Support Local Elections Officials (September 17, 2020)
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) recently released a newsletter that includes resources to support local elections officials as they work to prepare for the 2020 presidential election while also addressing new challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. More from NACo's County News.
The Secret to Revitalizing Urban Downtowns (September 16, 2020)
Most pedestrian malls failed, but the survivors have lessons to teach. More from FastCompany.
Scaling Playful Learning: How Cities Can Reimagine Public Spaces to Support Children and Families (September 15, 2020)
As cities and regions look to “build back better” in the wake of COVID-19, it is imperative that they consider a far more holistic approach to child development that addresses the inequities in our current systems. More from Brookings.
Responding to COVID-19 in the County Workforce (September 14, 2020)
With the United States reaching over 4 million confirmed cases of COVID-19, county departments are facing impacts when their own employees test positive. More from NACo's County News.
Podcast: The Intersection of COVID-19 and the Annual Flu (September 11, 2020)
Health officials have been worried about the intersection of the corona virus and the coming annual flu season. This podcast features a conversation with Dr. Jeff Duchin, the Health Officer for Seattle-King County Public Heath, about his concerns and the prospects for a COVID-19 vaccine. More from The Disaster Zone.
It’s Not Too Early for Cities to Craft AV Regulation (September 10, 2020)
Autonomous vehicle technology is primed to move into any number of use cases, and cities should begin the conversation about how they want to shape this new mobility horizon – or risk being shaped by it. More from Government Technology.
Wisconsin Data Tool Gives Insights Into Local Gov Spending (September 8, 2020)
With many municipalities facing tight budgets for 2021, the Wisconsin Policy Forum has created a data tool that shows budget trends over time and in comparison to neighboring municipalities. More from Government Technology.
County Budgets to See $202 Billion COVID-19 Impact (September 4, 2020)
A new report released by NACo estimates that by the end of FY2021, counties will experience a $202 billion budgetary impact. More from NACo's County News.
Lasting Affordability in Housing Now: Our Path to Racial Equity (September 3, 2020)
As our nation responds and recovers from the dire health and economic consequences of the COVID-19 global pandemic, local, state and national leaders must all commit to achieving positive racial equity impacts. More from NLC's CitiesSpeak.
NLC Releases Fiscal Conditions Report (September 2, 2020)
The National League of Cities recently released research findings on the fiscal impact of COVID-19 on municipal budgets in their 35th annual City Fiscal Conditions report.
Comprehensive Analysis of COVID-19’s Impact On County Finances and Implications for the U.S. Economy (September 1, 2020)
This report explains the financial situation of America’s 3,069 county governments, the impact of COVID-19 on county budgets, the cuts counties are making to respond to the pandemic and the resulting impact on the U.S. economy. More from NACo.
What Does It Take to Launch a Tiny Home Village of Permanent Supportive Housing? (August 31, 2020)
As the need for affordable housing has increased nationwide, so too have innovative ideas to help people experiencing chronic homelessness. Tiny homes have emerged as one promising—but understudied—solution. More from The Urban Institute.
Where to Prioritize Emergency Rental Assistance to Keep Renters in Their Homes (August 28, 2020)
As states and localities allocate emergency rental assistance funds to help renters avoid losing their homes, local leaders must decide where to prioritize their resources. More from The Urban Institute.
Autonomous Vehicles Could Improve Policing, Public Safety, and Much More (August 27, 2020)
Autonomous vehicles obey the speed limit, do not drive erratically, reach a valid final destination, and prevent their occupants from jeopardizing highway safety even if they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. More from Brookings.
How to Rethink the Policing Function (August 26, 2020)
Here's a list of guiding principles and initial concrete steps for your jurisdiction to begin the process of reimagining what the police response should be and how to achieve public safety through decreased enforcement methods and increased social interventions. More from NYU School of Law Policing Project.
Women Can’t Fix Policing If They Don’t Want The Job (August 25, 2020)
At a time where discussions on police reform are taking place all across the country, some have posited the solution of more women in law enforcement. More from Forbes.
What Is Your Story? Promoting a Positive Image of Police (August 24, 2020)
Insight into how a communications office and police department work together to foster public trust through a strategic communication approach. More from ICMA Blog.
Transit Ridership Was Looking Good in 2020, Then Came COVID (August 20, 2020)
Following COVID-19 related stay-at-home orders, transit ridership across the U.S. fell 40.8 percent in March compared to a year ago, after two months of ridership gains in a number of cities. More from Government Technology.
How Portland’s Landmark Zoning Reform Could Work (August 19, 2020)
The Residential Infill Project aims to boost “missing middle” housing — an expected boon for affordability in a city where the single-family home reigns. More from CityLab.
Prior to COVID-19, Urban Core Counties in the U.S. Were Gaining Vitality on Key Measures (August 13, 2020)
Following decades of rising population and affluence compared with the central cities, the luster of the nation’s large suburbs has diminished since 2000. More from PEW Research.
New ICMA Survey Shows Depth of Economic Downturn for Cities and Counties (August 7, 2020)
Eighty-four percent of local governments responding to ICMA's latest survey are projecting a decrease in overall revenues for their first budget since the onset of the pandemic, with about half projecting up to a 10 percent decrease and a third projecting up to a 20 percent decrease. More from ICMA.
What Covid Teaches Us About Community (August 6, 2020)
This blog post is the first of a series exploring the role that community resilience can play both in bouncing back from COVID-19 and in reshaping governance for the future. More from The IBM Center for the Business of Government.
How Data Are Informing Local COVID-19 Response (August 5, 2020)
COVID-19 has complicated decision-making for local government leaders on such key issues as budgeting, when to return to work, and how to deliver services. Several data resources have been developed to track economic indicators, public policy, and community tracking to help managers make informed decisions for their community. More from ICMA Blog.
Emerging from Disruption, Cities Have an Unprecedented Opportunity to Build Better Operational Resilience (August 4, 2020)
When there is such significant disruption to city agencies, their people, and the economic environment in which they operate, there is an even greater need to build up operational resilience. More from American City & County.
Amid Calls For Police Reform Across The Nation, Police Struggle With Recruiting And Retention (August 3, 2020)
As protests across the nation continue to force communities to reckon with a history of police brutality and racism, police departments across the U.S. have struggled with recruiting and officer retention, especially in rural America and among minorities. More from Forbes.
Disaster Zone Podcast - COVID Comes to the USA (July 31, 2020)
This edition of the Disaster Zone Podcast features a fascinating interview with Heather Kelly, the City of Kirkland's Emergency Manager, as she recounts how the city first became aware of the coronavirus at a local nursing care facility and how the city's leadership and emergency management teams responded.
Cash is King (July 30, 2020)
Cash is king during a financial crisis. How can local governments ensure they have enough cash on hand during this period, and what actions can they take to protect and rebalance the budget to adapt quickly? More from Government Finance Review.
Tips for the 2 Kinds of People Who Work from Home (July 29, 2020)
There are two kinds of work-from-home employees, research suggests. Are you a segmenter or an integrator? Here are tips for both. More from Route Fifty.
Looking to Push Less Paper? Consider Electronic Approvals (July 27, 2020)
Processing documents such as vendor invoices and employee timesheets involves frequent approvals. It can be inefficient to pass around paper for these purposes, so electronic options are attractive to many. More from The Audit Connection.
Libraries Boost Wi-Fi Range for Those in Need (July 24, 2020)
Libraries within the North Central Regional Library system are using grant funds to extend the range of public Wi-Fi service to guests outside. The move will allow visitors to access service without entering. More from Government Technology.
Coronavirus: Restroom Guidance for Local Leaders (July 22, 2020)
The ongoing pandemic has reestablished the importance of public sanitation and elevated restrooms as a key element in a return to normalcy. More from ICMA Blog.
How to Design a Post-Pandemic City (July 21, 2020)
Architects and public health experts in Baltimore have released a guidebook of 10 concepts that reimagine urban living for an era defined by social distancing. More from CityLab.
Want To Go Paperless? Here are Some Resources That Can Help (July 20, 2020)
Moving to paperless processes has been a goal for some local governments. If you were on the fence, the pandemic might be prompting you to explore your options now. More from The Audit Connection.
Counties Turn to Apps, Alert Systems in Pandemic (July 17, 2020)
When combating the impacts of a global pandemic in the 21st century, counties are turning to innovative tech to provide accurate information to county residents. More from NACo's County News.
Counties Step Up Mental Health Services (July 16, 2020)
As demand for mental health services increases as a result of economic uncertainty and social isolation, the ways to provide it get more inventive and efficient. More from NACo's County News.
What Police Spending Data Can (and Cannot) Explain amid Calls to Defund the Police (July 15, 2020)
Police spending reflects what communities pay in exchange for public safety—an exchange that does not keep all communities safe. More from The Urban Institute.
What Happens to Public Space When Everything Moves Outside (July 14, 2020)
As restaurants and bars dramatically expand their outdoor seating, questions are emerging about who gets to occupy the streets. More from CityLab.
In Times Like These, Good Elected Official and Staff Relationships Are Even More Important (July 10, 2020)
A thoughtful and proactive approach to establish and maintain effective relationships with elected officials will significantly increase the likelihood of success. More from ICMA Blog.
Court Strikes Down Restrictions on Pandemic Aid for Small Business Owners with Criminal Records (July 8, 2020)
The Small Business Administration has changed the rules following a lawsuit from small business owners with criminal records. More from Route Fifty.
As COVID-19 Resurges, So Does the Threat to Local Budgets (July 2, 2020)
More layoffs are coming, as pandemic-related revenue crashes leave many cities and states billions of dollars in the red, forced to reckon with deep spending cuts because, generally, they must balance their budgets each year. More from Brookings.
Support for Seniors Remains Crucial as Communities Reopen (July 1, 2020)
Reopening our economy presents specific problems for older Americans and requires support from all levels of government, industry, and nonprofit organizations. More from ICMA Blog.
Civilian Review of Law Enforcement Remains Rare for Counties (June 29, 2020)
Counties have not adopted civilian review boards for their law enforcement agencies at the same rate as cities. More from NACo's County News.
Poll: Nearly All Americans Back Criminal Justice Reform (June 25, 2020)
Americans across party lines are nearly unanimous in thinking at least some change is necessary. More from EfficientGov.
Canceled Fundraisers, Fewer Volunteers: Small Fire Departments Face Their Own Coronavirus Challenges (June 23, 2020)
Staffing shortages, fundraising difficulties and a lack of personal protective equipment have forced rural and volunteer-driven fire departments to adapt quickly. More from Route Fifty.
Looking Ahead to the Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 (June 22, 2020)
The novel coronavirus shifted the nature of gov tech work virtually overnight, but its long-term impacts will bring even more changes as priorities change and tech offers opportunities to shape the future. More from Government Technology.
The Return of Community Policing (June 19, 2020)
The concept of community policing, or a framework for forging stronger relationships between police departments and the communities they serve, is seeing renewed interest in cities as a way to rebuild trust and repair racial rifts. More from Axios.
Body Cameras May Not Be the Easy Answer Everyone Was Looking For (June 17, 2020)
Some recent studies question whether police body cameras are doing what they’ve been touted to do. More from Route Fifty.
COVID-19 Proves the Essential Nature of Government (June 16, 2020)
The adjustment to life in a pandemic has not been easy, but it has shown that public-sector work is not only vital, but also flexible, and that IT has a critical role to play in ensuring organizational resilience. More from Government Technology.
The Future of Remote Public Meetings Rests with Good Policy (June 15, 2020)
Before COVID-19, many governments wouldn't dream of having remote proceedings. That reality has changed. What guardrails should be in place to prevent abuse of tech-driven meetings? More from Government Technology.
Strategies for Increasing Affordable Housing Amid the COVID-19 Economic Crisis (June 11, 2020)
As policymakers and voters become more aware of the social costs created by housing instability, there is an opportunity to address long-standing gaps in the safety net. More from Brookings.
The Coronavirus Is Already Reshaping Urban Life (June 10, 2020)
Will this pandemic, like those before it, inspire a new blueprint for urban planning? Or will it drive people away from cities for good? More from The Atlantic.
Preparing for COVID-19 Recovery in Seattle (June 9, 2020)
A Q&A with Sam Assefa, director of Seattle’s Office of Planning & Community Development, explores the planning department’s role in Seattle’s coronavirus strategy. More from APA Blog.
County Animal Shelters Focus on Fostering (June 8, 2020)
Finding foster homes for pets has benefitted residents and helped county animal shelters protect staff members. More from NACo's County News.
A Pandemic, Remote Work and ‘The New Normal’ (June 5, 2020)
In a few short months, the global health crisis has dramatically changed the way local governments operate. How can local leaders cope, and what does this mean for the future? More from American City & County.
Health Inspections Take on New Role in Monitoring Restaurant Safety (June 4, 2020)
Local health departments that suspended in-person inspections of restaurants and bars are beginning to restart their programs and now have even more responsibilities than before, like enforcing social distancing. More from Route Fifty.
Building Your Own Contact Tracing Program (June 3, 2020)
Here’s how to create a qualified contact tracing workforce in your community. More from Route Fifty.
Smaller Cities Left Waiting on Coronavirus Aid Money (June 2, 2020)
“The challenge for 97% of America's cities is that we haven't received any funding yet,” says one mayor. More from Route Fifty.
American Cities Saw Uneven Growth Last Decade, New Census Data Show (June 1, 2020)
In the last several years, many cities registered growth slowdowns and declines while the rest of the country rebounded from the Great Recession and the population dispersed toward suburbs and smaller areas. More from Brookings.
Cities Anticipate $360 Billion Revenue Shortfall (May 29, 2020)
As local leaders scramble to help their communities face these new economic realities, they are also working to soften the blow to their own budgets. More from NLC's CitiesSpeak.
Cities are Experimenting with More Space for People, Less Room for Cars (May 28, 2020)
The coronavirus has provided the opportunity for a natural experiment into what cities could look like with fewer cars. More from MarketPlace.
New King County Data Dashboard Displays Key COVID-19 Indicators (May 27, 2020)
King County's new data dashboard provides a snapshot of key indicators related to COVID-19 disease activity, testing capacity, and healthcare system status to guide public health decisions.
World’s Largest Work-From-Home Experiment (May 27, 2020)
If more of us work from home after coronavirus we’ll need to rethink city planning. More from The Conversation.
More than 800,000 Local Government Jobs Lost in April (May 25, 2020)
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 8 released its monthly jobs report for April, revealing a loss of more than 800,000 local government jobs. More from NACo's County News.
Cities and States are on the Front Lines of the Economic Battle Against COVID-19 (May 21, 2020)
Mayors, nonprofits, and other civic institutions are fighting the early stages of the crisis with the tools, information, and resources they have at their disposal. More from Brookings.
Five Big Questions on City Leaders’ Minds as Their Economies Reopen (May 20, 2020)
As city officials weigh the risks and rewards of reopening their local economies, they face a series of intertwined economic, public health, and public relations dilemmas. More from NLC's CitiesSpeak.
After COVID-19: Is There a Place for Telework in Local Government? (May 19, 2020)
Key items to consider in determining if your community can or should have telework options for personnel. More from ICMA Blog.
How the Coronavirus Will Harm State and City Budgets (May 18, 2020)
The coronavirus pandemic is placing enormous budget pressure on state and local governments, threatening deep and potentially lasting cuts to education, infrastructure, and other important investments. More from Foreign Affairs.
Work From Home Is Here to Stay (May 15, 2020)
The future of jobs after the pandemic is a blurry mix of work, life, pajamas, and Zoom. More from Route Fifty.
Nearly 1 Million Job Losses Reported in State and Local Government Sector (May 14, 2020)
Jobs figures released Friday show a decline that has plummeted beyond a low brought on by the Great Recession. More from Route Fifty.
Want to Test More People for Covid-19? Look At the Sewage (May 13, 2020)
Wastewater surveillance can help communities increase their testing capabilities and better manage and monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. More from Route Fifty.
Vancouver Joins Pilot Program to Monitor COVID-19 in Community Wastewater (May 12, 2020)
The City of Vancouver is one of about 11 locations across the country participating in a scientific wastewater monitoring pilot program to better understand the extent of the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) within communities. More from the City of Vancouver.
End Boom and Bust Funding of Public Health (May 11, 2020)
Reductions in public health funding in recent years have impacted the COVID-19 response. More from Emergency Management.
COVID-19 Risk Assessment Dashboard (May 8, 2020)
Washington's COVID-19 Risk Assessment Dashboard provides a high-level overview of the main data points being monitored by state leaders and public health officials to evaluate risk and inform decisions related to the Governor's Safe Start Reopening Plan.
Government Telework Was Already on the Rise. Then Covid-19 Happened. (May 7, 2020)
Increasing numbers of state and local government employees were teleworking last year, a trend that seems likely to continue after the coronavirus pandemic, according to new research. More from Route Fifty.
How Life in Our Cities Will Look After the Coronavirus Pandemic (May 6, 2020)
The pandemic will change urban life forever. Foreign Policy asked 12 leading global experts in urban planning, policy, history, and health for their predictions. More from Foreign Policy.
County Budgets May See $144 billion Hit From COVID-19 (May 5, 2020)
NACo’s new report, Running on Fumes: Impact of COVID-19 on County Finances, details the pandemic’s budgetary consequences. More from NACo's County News.
COVID-19 in Washington State (May 4, 2020)
The Washington State Department of Health's COVID-19 Data Dashboard provides statewide and county level data including numbers of confirmed cases, epidemiological curves, testing, and hospitalizations.
How Short-Term Rentals Can Affect the Impact of Coronavirus in Your Community (April 30, 2020)
As communities throughout North America fight against the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), state, city, and town planners are taking a close look at the ways the short-term rental (STR) industry can either support or undermine efforts to flatten the curve and reduce the loss of life. More from APA Blog.
Upgrades Could Fix Everett’s Public Records System (April 29, 2020)
Before pivoting to cloud-based tools, a patchwork of data storage locations made up the city’s records tracking process. Officials say the system left too much room for error when it came to fulfilling public records requests. More from Government Technology.
Sharing COVID-19 Information in Multiple Languages (April 28, 2020)
To ensure the safety and health of all residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, accurate and timely information needs to be made available and readily accessible in multiple languages, including ASL (American Sign Language). More from NLC's CitiesSpeak.
Virtual Meetings, Real Action for County Boards (April 27, 2020)
With in-person meetings largely impossible because of physical distancing requirements, county boards are taking meetings online, and finding a lot to like despite the transition. More from NACo's County News.
Cities Launch COVID-19 Web Portals (April 24, 2020)
As the COVID-19 pandemic wears on, agencies at all levels of government continue to launch online resources for their constituents to find resources, help and new information. More from Government Technology.
Rheostat Government: Replacing the On/Off Switch with a Dimmer (April 22, 2020)
When the coronavirus pandemic begins to subside, communities should use a nuanced, calibrated approach to allowing businesses to reopen and residents to return to work and school. More from Governing.
Working Remotely: A Guide for the Public Sector (April 21, 2020)
This report contains a checklist of items for governments to consider when supporting remote workers. Items were selected based on general public sector requirements. More from GFOA.
Corner Stores Can Anchor a Neighborhood (February 19, 2020)
- Corner stores are the smallest and most useful type of retail—here's how to make them succeed. More from Public Square.
Four Tips for Mission and Values Statements in Local Government (December 12, 2019)
Local governments need a mission and values statement that guides employee behavior, from the front lines of the organization to the manager’s office. More from ICMA Blog.