Local officials have access to a broad range of resources on topics including housing, land use, ethics and public engagement provided by the Institute for Local Government (ILG).

These resources can be accessed through the ILG website and include:

• Housing. ILG’s online Housing Resource Center (www.ca-ilg.org/hrc) features links, documents and case studies for local policy-makers about affordable housing issues.

• Land use. Funding Open Space Acquisition Programs is a practical guide that helps local leaders explore options for conserving open space in their communities. It serves as a starting point for local agencies analyzing open space planning, funding and acquisition.

• Getting the public involved. ILG’s Collaborative Governance Initiative is designed to help local officials navigate the increasing number of public participation strategies available to communities and to enhance the local agency-community relationship.

• Understanding ethics issues in public service. Among ILG’s numerous user-friendly resources are publications on best practices in ethics law compliance, running effective local campaigns, key ethics law principles for public servants, and more.

• Fiscal stewardship. Materials on fiscal management and revenue sources for elected officials include the Municipal Finance Quick Reference and Financial Management for Elected Officials.

ILG’s resources are available free to local officials in electronic form from the institute’s website at www.ca-ilg.org. ILG is a 501(c)(3) organization, and contributions to it are tax deductible. Revenues from hardcopy sales of publications also support the institute’s work.

For more information about ILG call (916) 658-8208.

Editor’s Note: This is the first of a new series of bimonthly updates on the activities of the Institute for Local Government (ILG), an organization founded by the League more than 50 years ago. The institute’s mission is to develop resources that assist local officials in serving their communities.

This article appears in the January 2006 issue of Western City
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