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Finance
Below are recent studies, reports, magazine articles, and other resources that MRSC has collected regarding local government finance issues.
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.
Why and How Local Governments Across the Country Are Reforming Fines and Fees (September 22, 2021)
The status quo is often inequitable and inefficient. The change process begins with data analysis and careful engagement of both local government stakeholders and impacted residents. More from ICMA Blog
How should cities spend billions in aid? Ask people who live there (September 8, 2021)
Some state and local governments are turning to Zoom and Survey Monkey polls to ask residents how to use their federal Covid relief aid More from Bloomberg CityLab
The Many Flavors of 'Transformative' State and Local ARPA Spending (August 17, 2021)
Transformative government projects using American Rescue Plan Act funds can run the gamut from improving a local park, to spending tens of millions to alleviate homelessness More from Route Fifty
How to Manage Federal Funds to Ensure Sustainability (August 10, 2021)
Here’s what state and local government leaders can do to effectively use the American Rescue Plan Act funding and show voters long-lasting results. More from Route Fifty
How One State Plans to Use Federal Relief Money to Shore Up Child Care Options (August 2, 2021)
Montana will leverage more than $31 million to establish grants for child care centers to increase pay, expand capacity and offset tuition rates. More from Route Fifty
A 5-Step Guide to Spending the American Rescue Plan Money (July 26, 2021)
States and localities have an enormous opportunity to create a better future if they spend the federal rescue funds wisely. Here’s how to do that. More from Route Fifty
How to Manage Federal Funds to Ensure Sustainability (June 29, 2021)
Here’s what state and local government leaders can do to effectively use the American Rescue Plan Act funding and show voters long-lasting results. More from Route Fifty.
Cities Say They Badly Need Critical Infrastructure Funding (May 13, 2021)
The vast majority of city officials say infrastructure funding is a top priority, according to survey data released Monday by the National League of Cities, which represents 19,000 cities, villages and towns. More from PEW.
Do Multiple Sustainability Objectives Affect the Speed of Local Procurement Processes? (April 27, 2021)
Researchers at Arizona State University share results on public procurement efficiency. More from ICMA Blog.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.