Public Trust and Ethics

Overview

Public Trust and Ethics

Article Features Jude Hudson

West Sacramento’s Path to a Safer, Healthier Community

A crime-ridden trail spurred unhappy residents into action and led to a collaborative effort involving a local nonprofit, the city, school district and multiple agencies.

Article California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence

Menlo Park Builds Relationships for Safer Neighborhoods

The city is the first in the nation to have a full-time police officer position funded by a private company.

Article Executive Director's Message Chris McKenzie

Those Pesky Elephants in the Room

A number of “elephants” lurk in city halls statewide.

Article President’s Message Stephany Aguilar

The Role of Vision, Tenacity and Humility in Leadership

Dreamers see the possibilities that others are intimidated by or cannot envision, and they frequently are told they will undoubtedly fail.

Article

Celebrating 60 Years of Service to California’s Local Governments

This year the Institute for Local Government (ILG) celebrates its 60th anniversary. The occasion offers a chance to reflect on ILG’s history of promoting good government at the local level and look to its future in helping create opportunities and establish partnerships that support the work of local agencies throughout California.

Article Features Kristina Ray

Leveraging the Power of Social Media When Disaster Strikes

Emergencies offer an opportunity to connect with residents.

Article Features Lea Deesing

What City Officials Need to Know About Cybersecurity

Hackers generally hit the easiest targets first. Such an attack may be financially based rather than an attempt to cause mayhem in your city. Risk can be mitigated in many ways, but one of the…

Article Features Nancy Kerry

Reducing Unfunded Liabilities for Other Post-Employment Benefits

Learn how one city reduced its liability by 73 percent.

Article Legal Notes Barbara J. ParkerKiran Jain

The Challenges of Open Data and Privacy Issues

The recent advent of extraordinary technological advances has made it possible to provide easy access to city information and data. It has also presented an unprecedented opportunity to improve…

Article News from the Institute for the Local Government

Engaging Residents Helps Build Vibrant Communities

A new resource presents an overview of land-use planning, who is involved, why community engagement matters and ways to participate.

Article Executive Director's Message Chris McKenzie

“Once Upon a Time”: Storytelling and the Art of Leadership

City leaders often must inspire people to accept and even support changes in their lives that they might otherwise oppose, and storytelling can play a key role.

Article Features Julie Pierce

The Future of SB 375 Implementation and Regional Planning

All 18 metropolitan planning organizations in California will have adopted their first Regional Transportation Plans under SB 375 by May 2015. This article looks at what SB 375 has accomplished…

Article Legal Notes The League Of California Cities’ Committee On The California Public Records Act

Cost-Effective Public Records Act Compliance and Records Transparency Following Proposition 42

City policies and practices can maintain records transparency, simplify responding to disclosure requests and reduce costs even before a records request is submitted.

Article News from the Institute for the Local Government

Community Leadership Programs: Empowering Future Leaders

Community-based organizations often provide leadership development programs for residents or specific underrepresented populations and offer an opportunity to invigorate civic engagement.

Article Executive Director's Message Chris McKenzie

Ethics, Transparency and Building Public Confidence in Local Government

This month Western City focuses on the issues of ethics and public trust. The League and the Institute for Local Government (ILG), the nonprofit research affiliate of the League and the California State Association of Counties, offer a variety of helpful resources about these topics for local elected officials and city staff.

Article Features Lea Deesing

Electronic Transparency and Open Data: A Movement Worth Joining

Taking information that local agencies already have and making it open to the public reduces in-house costs and builds efficiencies for both staff and constituents. In the past the public…

Article City Forum Eva Spiegel

New Mayors and Council Members’ Academy Provides a Strong Start

Held each January in Sacramento, the academy features seasoned experts who present the nuts and bolts of city council operations.

Article California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence

Vallejo’s Participatory Budgeting Builds Public Involvement, Generates Results

The process gives residents a voice in spending decisions.

Article Everyday Ethics for Local Officials

Getting Public Employees Off to a Good Start

How does one sensitize the public agency’s workforce to the special obligations of being a public agency staff member? Strategies include discussing practical examples from the media to help…

Article Executive Director's Message Chris McKenzie

Disruptive Technology, Public Policy and Leadership

Public sector leaders face a number of challenges related to disruptive technology.