MRSC Insight Blog

Posts by MRSC Insight

A How-To Guide to Sponsoring Summer Celebrations

April 26, 2022 by MRSC Insight
Category: Streets and Sidewalks , Gift of Public Funds

Summer is coming and with it, the possibility of public celebrations! But a local government should plan carefully to both make the event a success and be sure that it does not unintentionally violate the constitutional gift of public funds prohibition.

For Local Fireworks Regulations, Timing is Everything

April 14, 2022 by MRSC Insight
Category: Licensing and Regulation

This blog covers the basics of when and how cities and counties may restrict the sale and/or use of fireworks within their boundaries.

Salaries for Elected Officials

March 28, 2022 by MRSC Insight
Category: Administrative and Elected Officials , Administrative and Elected Officials-County

This blog discusses how salaries are set for elected officials, how salaries can be changed, and whether an official can request not to be paid.

Balance of Power Struggles in City Government

March 3, 2022 by MRSC Insight
Category: Administrative and Elected Officials

This blog touches on common struggles between executive and legislative branches of city government and provides insight on how to handle these.

Knowing Your Roles: City and Town Governments

February 7, 2022 by MRSC Insight
Category: Administrative and Elected Officials

Conflicts in city and town governments between the executive and the legislative branches can be the result of confusion as to these roles and their responsibilities. This blog offers an overview of division of power between these two branches.

Dealing with Snow and Ice on Streets and Sidewalks

December 9, 2021 by MRSC Insight
Category: Snow and Ice Removal

What can or should a city or county do to deal with accumulations of snow and ice on sidewalks and streets?

You’ve Been Elected: Now What?

November 1, 2021 by MRSC Insight
Category: Elections , Administrative and Elected Officials

Now that you've been elected there are a number of steps you'll need to take before assuming office, as well as some resources you might want to check out to get ready for your new adventure.

Handling Unexpected Elections Issues

October 28, 2021 by MRSC Insight
Category: Elections

Local elections can sometimes be straightforward affairs but unexpected issues, like a tie vote, can arise. This blog reviews a few uncommon scenarios and how to properly handle them.

Shake It Up: Local Governments and Earthquake Preparedness

September 23, 2021 by MRSC Insight
Category: Emergency Management

We live in an earthquake-prone state. What can local governments do to better prepare their agency's response, as well as public resilience, for such an emergency?

On-Road ATV Use Broadened Slightly In 2021

August 12, 2021 by MRSC Insight
Category: Traffic Regulation and Enforcement , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog offers an update on the use and regulation of ATVs on public roads, including an overview of two bills from 2021 impacting ATV use and licensure.

Holding Two Public Offices: The Doctrine of Incompatible Offices

June 21, 2021 by MRSC Insight
Category: Incompatible Offices

This blog looks at how to determine if a person can hold two public offices simultaneously.

Incorporating Bicycles into Your Municipal Code

February 9, 2021 by MRSC Insight
Category: Cycling and Walking

This blog explores some potential “gaps” that local governments may have in their code provisions addressing bicycles, including helmet use, bicycle lanes and access, and how to regulate electric-assist bicycles.

When First Amendment Rights and Public Meetings Clash

July 23, 2020 by MRSC Insight
Category: Legislative Body

This blog post looks at the authority a governing body has to establish and carry out procedures that can prevent the interruption or delay of a public meeting due to disruptive or irrelevant comments from the public or from members of the governing body itself.