PCiRoads uses custom equipment for Minneapolis stormwater project
Minneapolis features a busy and lively downtown area that’s home to nearly 57,000 residents along with 216,000 employees each week, per mplsdowntown.com. The city has consistently topped more than $1 billion in new construction permits over the past 11 years … More from our cover sponsor →
Power hedging for public funds issuers
by BRIAN HODGE The cost of electricity can materially impact the “bottom line” and the budget process for many public funds issuers including local governments and tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations. The U.S. Energy Information Administration expects electricity prices to remain volatile … Continue reading →
Evanston’s three consecutive Tech Savvy designations
Since its inaugural year in 2014, the Public Technology Institute has awarded a few select cities and counties with its annual Tech Savvy designation. PTI offers this designation because it believes in the importance of recognizing those local government agencies … Continue reading →
In the loop: GoWesterville keeps residents apprised of municipal projects
When the residents of Westerville, Ohio, voted to raise their income tax rate to 2 percent in order to fund some critical infrastructure improvements in 2008, they did so under a few conditions. They insisted that all streets in less … Continue reading →
Virginia Beach invites residents into city budget planning process
What if citizens had complete control over their city budget? No holds barred, no dreams too big or small. In this world, citizens get to shift money around, fund their most burning desires and lay off the items they feel get … Continue reading →
Buffalo Green Code moves city toward modern development
Buffalo, N.Y., has spent the last seven years developing and polishing its new Green Code. This will be a development strategy based on the city’s comprehensive plan and plan for the future of Buffalo by focusing on four fundamental principles: … Continue reading →
Conductive concrete shows promise in snowy northern states
It seems like a dream come true, especially for the U.S.’s northern regions that get blasted with snow, making roads and sidewalks dangerous to navigate. What we’re referring to is real: There is a way to keep roads, driveways, sidewalks … Continue reading →
Small Iowa cities seize grant opportunities
Cities of 5,000 and smaller in Iowa have been given an unique opportunity to address abandoned commercial and public structures through the Iowa Department of Natural Resource’s Derelict Building Grant Program, which was established in 2011. This program offers the … Continue reading →
Technology improving communication in several ways
We know that technology and social media allow for better and more frequent communication with our loved ones, but how is that transferring to municipal jobs? The answer is in a variety of ways. According to a Florida International University … Continue reading →
Chesterfield, Mo.: Location drives growth
Chesterfield, Mo., may be a small city, but what it lacks for in population it makes up for in economic development and growth. Chesterfield is located about 25 minutes west of downtown St. Louis, along the Interstate 64/U.S. Highway 40 … Continue reading →
Freeport, Minnesota
Visitors to Freeport, Minn., are always greeted with a big smile. The felicitous image of the smily face on the town’s water tower is also front and center on Freeport’s city seal. “When they were putting up our water tower, … Continue reading →
Pest House Lynchburg, Va.
It takes a hero to wade soul-deep into a miasma of death and laboriously rescue victims teetering on the abyss. Dr. John Jay Terrell was that kind of a hero. The good doctor volunteered to staff the first of 39 … Continue reading →
Council Bluffs finds creative solutions to drainage issues
The old saying, “Necessity is the mother of invention” could be applied to Council Bluffs, Iowa’s, public works department as challenges faced in a high water table neighborhood created the need for them to think outside the box for solutions. … Continue reading →
Cities evolving with technology
In 2016, cities invested approximately $52.4 billion in technology, according to a September 2017 Quartz article, “Smart Cities are great. Human-centric cities are (again) the future.” And a common thread seen throughout this issue of The Municipal is cities that … Continue reading →
Snowfighting prep is a yearlong endeavor
With winter around the corner, it’s time for drivers to prepare for icy roads and snowy conditions. This includes ordering snow tires, dusting off that old window scraper and finding a warm hat. Some may think that October is too … Continue reading →
How technology can save your budget
Dude Solutions is helping cities budget smarter with its operations management software. This software helps department heads prove their needs by having all the data of what their department has done at hand. Additionally, the software can help track assets, including tracking the status of preventive maintenance plans.
Continue reading →The irrelevance of political parties
By RICHARD HADLEY | Chairman, Board of Supervisors, Cranberry Township, Pa. In a preamble to the blog our township has maintained for the past eight years, there’s a statement that says “No level of government has more impact on daily … Continue reading →
New city hall anchors downtown
Milton, Ga., might be relatively new on the municipal scene, having only been incorporated since Dec. 1, 2006, but its city hall gives the appearance of having existed for a while — despite just celebrating its grand opening March 13. … Continue reading →
Holland, Mich., and surrounding communities roll out a parade
When National Fire Prevention Week rolls around each year, residents of Holland, Mich., eagerly anticipate lights, cameras… and sirens. The highlight of the week is the Fire Prevention Week Parade, which consists of about 40 fire trucks, a marching honor … Continue reading →
