Articles

The app provides a way to report a wide range of issues, including potholes, vandalism, water leaks and more, directly to city staff.

New tools are available for local leaders looking for resources to help their cities meet fiscal challenges and thrive in today’s economic climate.

This program offers ideas for city officials seeking new ways to maximize their city’s economic development opportunities.

By supporting wellness efforts, cities can offer an environment where residents and employees are encouraged to be more physically active, eat nutritious food and enjoy the advantages of good health.

The Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013 mandates uniform, generally lower benefit formulas for all “new members” of California public agency defined benefit retirement plans.

Disruptions in public meetings seem to be increasingly common. This article offers tips for local agency officials on handling conflict and strategies to help make meetings more productive.

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…

As the economy begins to recover and the state budget shows signs of stabilizing, the challenges facing California require strong leadership at all levels. Many of our new state legislators came…

Pavement conditions are deteriorating throughout California, and while the costs are high for even the most basic repair and maintenance, the price tag for waiting is far higher, from both an…

How one city overcame significant community resistance.

The League provides a wide range of resources to help local elected officials build their capacity to better serve their residents.

Understanding “how to get things done as a newly elected official” is a priority for local officials. New online resources help streamline the process.

A new program gives local governments access to tax-exempt financing for sustainable energy investments and projects.

High-tech tools are making it possible for cities to issue alerts in real time to their communities, respond more quickly to emergencies and maximize scarce resources.

The Legislative Briefings cover information of critical importance to cities and are offered in two formats, online and in person, to make them readily accessible for all member cities.

Cities can tap into the opportunity provided by an increased focus on municipal issues.

Green training programs that focus on youth also contribute to local economies and job expansion.

The League has met the challenges of the past year, and much work remains to be done.

A look at the highlights of next month’s conference.

This article examines common elements of lobbying laws and how these laws typically regulate lobbyist behavior.

Local officials looking for tools to help them serve their communities now have access to a variety of new resources.

The California Local Energy Assurance Planning program offers local governments support in planning for interruptions to energy supplies.

The Internet is no longer a new tool, and many cities are making good use of it. In this era of fiscal austerity, we are all working to do more with less. Cities are using technology to improve…

Members of the public and local agency officials carrying out the public’s business increasingly use electronic media to communicate. This article provides an overview of the law, discusses some…

Two very different cities offer remarkable examples of pioneering efforts to chart a more sustainable economic future.

In the wake of the elimination of redevelopment agencies, city officials and legislators are wondering, “What comes next?”

Gonzales offers an excellent model of an economic development program that focuses on sustainability and builds trust and understanding.

Obesity and related diseases threaten the health of cities’ most vulnerable populations, particularly children and youth. As part of an effort to address obesity, California cities are participating in the Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Cities Campaign and adopting land-use, economic development and employee wellness policies that support health.

The Rides4Neighbors program provides a variety of flexible transportation options for eligible senior residents.

A variety of changes to the gift regulations took effect Jan. 1, 2012. The goal was to simplify the gift regulations and make them easier to understand, while reinforcing the principle that public…

Long Beach has a creative use for vacant city lots that offers several added benefits.

Groupthink is a phenomenon in which the group members form individual opinions that match the group consensus rather than critically evaluating information.

Hayward’s Mural Art Program offers an outstanding example of a local effort that has helped reduce crime, build public-private partnerships, enhance community pride and save taxpayers’ money.

Maintaining our social contract with state legislators is easier when we first make an effort to understand their perspective and work style, rather than just expecting them to vote a certain way.

Cities and other public entities are generally required to put significant contracts out for competitive bidding and to award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder. Sometimes a decision is…

As an elected official and public servant, your actions and words are often subject to intense public scrutiny. Thinking about how the average constituent on the street will perceive your actions…

Partnerships among public, private and nonprofit groups are nothing new, and examples abound. However, innovative partnerships that build capacity to address sustainability, energy efficiency,…

A group of 130 League leaders and board members met recently to set the organization’s priorities for the coming year.

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.

Not collecting taxes on sales provides out-of-state online retailers a significant price advantage over instate “bricks and mortar” businesses. As online commerce continues to grow, a solution…

Pension costs for most California municipalities are likely to increase 25 percent or more in the next three years. If sizable increases in pension costs are not mitigated, many cities will be…

This column is a service of the Institute for Local Government (ILG), whose mission is to promote good government at the local level. For more information and to access ILG’s resources on public service ethics, visit www.ca-ilg.org/trust.

Seek Professional Advice

Although the Institute for Local Government endeavors to help local officials understand laws that apply to public service, its informational materials are not legal advice. In addition, attorneys can and do disagree on the best interpretation of the complex rules related to public service ethics. Officials are encouraged to consult an attorney or the Fair Political Practices Commission for advice on specific situations.

A major change in the role of the federal government is beginning, and it will have dramatic consequences for state and local governments.

It’s time to start thinking about how to make the most of this educational opportunity.

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?