The competency of both local officials and staff provides a basis
for establishing public trust and confidence. Elements of ethics,
public input and transparency also play a key role.
How does innovation occur in local government? What can local
officials interested in seeing their agencies engage in
innovation do to support innovation?
The newly revised framework offers options to consider for local
action in 10 areas from energy efficiency and conservation to
efficient transportation, promoting community and individual
action…
Meetings can present a broad range of challenges for local
officials. A collection of useful materials offers practical
information on related topics that include chairing a meeting,
dealing with a…
Understanding “how to get things done as a newly elected
official” is a priority for local officials. New online resources
help streamline the process.
The continued expansion in core green industries, such as energy
generation and efficiency, recycling and waste, clean
transportation, water and wastewater, offers cause for guarded
optimism.
Land-use planning can present difficult and divisive issues for
communities. A local agency’s land-use planning decisions
literally affect people where they live.
While there is no easy answer to the difficult decisions local leaders must often make, a number of strategies can make such work easier. A key element of the Institute for Local Government’s…
Local agencies throughout California are employing joint-use agreements as a tool to stretch taxpayer resources as far as possible in service to shared constituents.
One of the most important responsibilities for local officials is overseeing their agencies’ finances. What can elected officials do to exercise careful fiscal stewardship over taxpayer resources?
The institute releases materials for local agencies about
involving the public in local budgeting, working with local
clergy and congregations, and public engagement stories.
