The leadership roles in local government are largely based on the needs of the community. Some of the departments in smaller communities may be combined into one. Certain leadership roles, such as those in police departments, fire departments, school districts and conservation departments, may be shared between several local governments, township governments or county governments. Following is a brief outline of key leadership roles in local government, along with a brief description of how they serve their communities. Administration Offices The administration offices house several of … [Read more...] about Understanding Key Leadership Roles in Local Government
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The Value of Clerk Succession Planning
A little-known fact about municipal clerks is that, from a historical perspective, town clerks were one of the first positions created in local government. Today, the municipal clerk position remains a vital part of local government. Clerks go by various names including municipal clerk, city clerk, town clerk, or city secretaries. The municipal clerk is often the first and foremost face-to-face link between the government and its residents. What most clerks love about their jobs are the very things that make replacing clerks so difficult. They’re responsible for a wide variety of duties and … [Read more...] about The Value of Clerk Succession Planning
Strategies for Retaining Organizational Knowledge Within Your Municipality
Baby boomers make up the bulk of today’s workforce in nearly every category of employment. As baby boomers near retirement age, that is about to change. While they will be leaving their file folders, keys and important client information behind, they will be taking a host of operational and organizational knowledge with them. In our recent iCompass survey of municipal workers, just over 12% of the respondents stated that they had five more years until they retired. Slightly more than 23% of those surveyed stated that they planned to retire within six to 10 years. In total, key municipal … [Read more...] about Strategies for Retaining Organizational Knowledge Within Your Municipality
How Municipal Elections Are Conducted in Texas
Each state in our union has its own rules for how to run elections at every level of government. The common thread among states is a democratic process that provides an equal and fair opportunity for all residents to vote for their municipal leaders, including disabled individuals and those who aren’t able to be physically present in their municipalities on election day. Voters have the opportunity to vote in municipal elections in local towns, villages and cities. In general, local elections may be run by a single individual, a board or commission of elections, or a combination of two or … [Read more...] about How Municipal Elections Are Conducted in Texas
Municipal Meeting Agenda Sample
The agenda for a municipal council meeting is the main tool that provides a solid structure for a productive meeting. Municipal governments have much to cover and discuss within a short timeframe. The agenda helps to prioritize issues, set time limits, record votes, and manage items that need to be handled. The agenda provides an efficient structure that streamlines these discussions by keeping the meeting moving along. When developing an agenda for a municipal meeting, it’s important to remember that the agenda guides the participants of the meeting, but also serves as an official record, … [Read more...] about Municipal Meeting Agenda Sample
Run a Leaner Local Government in 6 Easy Steps
Operating on a lean budget is a concern for nearly every local government. If you look deeply enough, you’ll find many ideas on how to run a lean operation. The good news is that they all work. To be effective, local government staff need to consider cost-saving measures and operating efficiently. Innovation begins with keeping an open mind towards newer ways of doing things like implementing digital solutions and being willing to receive ideas from employees and citizens without prejudice. 1. Engage the Public Using Digital Tools James Kostaras, architect and city planner in Boston, states, … [Read more...] about Run a Leaner Local Government in 6 Easy Steps