Government is turning into a business enterprise. It’s evident in the way we handle money and the way we recruit staff. It’s also becoming evident in the way some entities hire special staff to handle customer service. “The whole point … Continue reading →
Four particular challenges of city and town management receive attention in this issue of The Municipal: handling disasters, managing citizen reports, effective succession planning and fostering leadership among key civic organizations. A fifth local government management issue caught my eye … Continue reading →
As soon as the weather is warm enough for grass to grow, public works employees stay busy keeping parks, medians and public land trimmed and tidy. With all the ground they have to cover, choosing the right mowers is key … Continue reading →
A new report released by the National League of Cities showed municipalities continue to face the prolonged effects of the economic downturn. According to the City Fiscal Conditions report, released in September, city revenues continued to fall for the sixth … Continue reading →
With 2013 looming, cities are looking into the future for the potential to create growth. The Municipal asked mayors of three very different cities to describe their outlooks for their cities under their leadership, and discovered cities that work internationally … Continue reading →
One month after a perfect storm slammed into the eastern seaboard, I think we’re all still taking in the staggering extent of the disruption and devastation. The scope of the storm was enough to grab attention all by itself. Rain … Continue reading →
The Emerald Ash Borer has destroyed thousands of trees throughout the U.S. and continues to sweep across the country. How can cities prepare and cope with the invasion of these beetles that have caused such a political ruckus and economic … Continue reading →
A political paradigm has shifted, and 24 towns in St. Louis County are reaping the benefits. Fragmentation and self-imposed isolation have long been norms in the countryside that rings St. Louis city. The city itself set that tone in 1876, … Continue reading →
Playgrounds aren’t just for kids any more. Adult playgrounds with exercise equipment, also known as fitness zones, are popping up in cities across the U.S. and getting rave reviews. Springfield, Ohio, at the forefront of this trend, installed one a … Continue reading →
In its most recent survey, the National League of Cities reported that 72 percent of the nation’s cities are cutting personnel and 60 percent are delaying or canceling infrastructure projects as the economic downturn continues to take its toll on … Continue reading →
In recent years, U.S. cities have begun work to make their streets safer for bicycles. The reasoning for this varies from city to city but the commonalities include safety concerns, decreasing budget sizes, the realization that they cannot endlessly add … Continue reading →
