Some of the most difficult issues faced by small- and mid-sized cities and towns seem to revolve around pension reform, tax caps and decreased federal funding for infrastructure. Even given these situations, however, municipalities accomplished a great deal in 2014. … Continue reading →
2015 budgets have been approved, and more than likely they include allocations for at least a few pieces of new equipment. Before submitting a specific item for purchase approval, though, take a look at what manufacturers say will be the … Continue reading →
In the best-run municipal departments across the country, every minute and dollar go where they can make the biggest impact. Achieving that can be difficult in the face of challenging tasks, including the disposal of vehicles that have outlived their … Continue reading →
MICHAEL CANNON | Guest columnist Chief information officer, International City/County Management Association Information technology is an essential part of any local government. From your website to GIS to financial accounting and public works, etc., nearly every aspect of your operations … Continue reading →
If you want to talk to the mayor of Carroll, Iowa, on a random weekday, don’t call city hall. He won’t be there. If he’s not out in the community or traveling on official business, Adam Schweers, 35, can usually … Continue reading →
It’s time to look at purchasing trucks again. Are you ready for the 2015 truck and other utility vehicle fashion show, with lots of new styles, colors and under-the-hood bling? Check out some of the all-new exteriors, upgraded cockpits, state-of-the-art … Continue reading →
The cloud has sprung forth as a viable option for small-to-medium-sized municipalities looking for less costly methods of storing important data or even specific operations. With the cloud, they no longer have to worry about purchasing servers, finding storage space … Continue reading →
Geographic information systems have been incorporated into the administration of most cities and towns. Those systems are being used to map jurisdictions’ real estate parcels, complete with zoning and property tax information. But once an entity has the map and … Continue reading →
For nearly a decade, public policy advocacy groups have highlighted the value of public-private partnerships for government entities. Although this approach was first used for large capital improvement projects, forward-thinking municipalities are realizing that the complexity and rapid pace of … Continue reading →
Drones have gained attention recently due to their maneuverability, versatility and low operational cost in military applications. These qualities make drones desirable to public service agencies as well. Fire departments, in particular, can benefit from this technology when it comes … Continue reading →
By DANA RASMUSSEN | New World Systems Imagine a community with a more efficient government: a government that uses less taxpayer money, time and resources. New World Systems, a public sector software company based in Troy, Mich., helps make the … Continue reading →
