Voices in Local Government

Key Takeaways for Retention and Workplace Wellness:How mental health impacts employee engagement, retention, and workplace culturePractical leadership strategies to create a mentally healthy environmentWhat leaders, managers, and peers can do to support each otherHow local governments can address burnout—and prevent it from driving people away Featured Guest:Adrienne Wise – CEO of Wise Choice Counseling and Consulting Services; trauma-informed care consultant, emotional wellness expert, and global public speaker Voices in Local Government Podcast Hosts:Joe Supervielle and Angelica WedellResources:Mental health services from ICMA affinity partner, Cope Notes.ICMA Annual Conference, October 25-29 in Tampa. With sessions on mental health in the workplace and more. Registration opens June 25.Voices in Local Government: Mental Health Ask Me Anything with Johnny Crowder

Key Takeaways for Financial Resilience and Success: Proven strategies to improve financial resilience in your municipality How city managers and finance directors can best collaborate and work together Tools for long-range planning and adapting to new fiscal challenges Real examples of budget solutions that reflect community priorities Featured Speakers: Justin Marlowe – co-host of Public Money Pod, research professor at the University of Chicago, director of the Center for Municipal Finance Liz Farmer – co-host of Public Money Pod, award-winning journalist, and fiscal policy writer Dave Schmiedicke – finance director, City of Madison, WI; Former Wisconsin state budget director Will Jones – city administrator, Mequon, WI; president, Wisconsin City/County Management Association Whether you're a city manager, budget officer, or just care about sound fiscal strategy, this episode offers practical tips to help you lead with financial resilience. ResourcesPublic Money Pod by the Center for Municipal FinanceICMA: A Budgeting Guide for Local Government 3-Part Series 

Guest InformationJulia D. Novak, ICMA-CM, CEO and executive director of ICMAHostsJoe Supervielle and Angelica Wedell TopicsWelcome Voices in Local Government's New co-host, Angelica WedellIntroduction and Understanding Change in Local GovernmentStrategies for Effective Change ManagementFostering InnovationThe Role of SupervisorsAdvice for Local Government LeadersResourcesICMA Effective Supervisory Practices Training SeriesGetting to Know Our New CEO/Executive Director, Julia D. Novak, ICMA-CM 

Guest InformationLaura Savage, Senior Program Manager, ICMA TopicsAssistant Chief Administrative Officer (ACAO) Development Series OverviewCareer Progression and Development OpportunitiesSheLeadsGov Virtual Forum InsightsResourcesThe Essential ACAO Development Series: Building Your Path to Leadership ExcellenceSheLeadsGov Virtual Forum | Innovate, Inspire, ImpactEP47 Local Gov Life Advice: Career Moves, Coworkers, and Council

Guest InformationAmanda Hesse, chief revenue officer, LCPtrackerStephanie Ramos, customer success manager, LCPtracker TopicsThe Importance of Workforce Development and the impact on the local economy.Real-World Examples of local government Workforce Initiatives.Steps for Local Government Engagement.Measuring Success.Future Trends.ResourcesWorkforce development program trackerCase Study on the ROI of hiring local

Guest InformationZhikun Liu, Ph.D., CFP®, vice president, head of MissionSquare Research Institute Gerald Young, senior researcher, MissionSquare Research Institute TopicsRetirement Employee investment programsResourcesMissionSquare Research Institute

Guest InformationZhikun Liu, Ph.D., CFP®, vice president, head of MissionSquare Research Institute Gerald Young, senior researcher, MissionSquare Research Institute TopicsPart One:Workforce motivationsSuccession PlanningConcerns over emerging technologiesEmployee Debt, Stress, and Mental Health Then Listen to Part Two: Retirement Employee investment programsResourcesMissionSquare Research Institute

Guest InformationMichael Paulhus, town manager, Plainville, CT. LinkedIn TopicsCrushing the Stigma of Local GovernmentBuilding a Brand for Local GovernmentEmpowering a Creative Social Media TeamEngaging the Community Through ContentMeasuring Success and Overcoming NegativityTools and Strategies for Effective CommunicationThe Role of Government Structure in Community EngagementResourcesSelf-Paced Online Course: Communicating with Elected Officials, Staff, and the MediaFree On-demand Webinar: Improving Trust and Transparency with Better Public CommunicationsSee Plainville's social accounts in action:LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

TopicsFEMA Individual Assistance.FEMA Public Assistance.Cost and reimbursement and documentation.Assign someone on staff as the point to understand FEMA reporting requirements and ensure compliance.Categories of reimbursement and cost share between Federal, state, and local.Policies for overtime pay.The importance of not going it alone.How to take care of yourself and staff.ResourcesICMA Hurricane Response ResourcesFederal Disaster Assistance Leadership Before, During, and After a Crisis

Guest InformationMark Zeigler, Senior Lecturer and Director of First-Year Experience Programs, Florida State UniversityDesiree Casanova, Assistant to the County Administrator, Sarasota Florida Resources from ICMA Learning LabSelf-Paced Online Course: Communicating with Elected Officials, Staff, and the MediaFree On-demand Webinar: Improving Trust and Transparency with Better Public Communications

Guest InformationMark Zeigler, Senior Lecturer and Director of First-Year Experience Programs, Florida State UniversityDesiree Casanova, Assistant to the County Administrator, Sarasota Florida TakeawaysEffective communication requires understanding the past, present, and future of interactions.Empathy is crucial in communication, especially in local government settings.Nonverbal communication can account for a significant portion of the message conveyed.Follow-up communication is essential to show that you value the conversation.Personalized responses can significantly improve public trust in government.Active listening involves not just hearing but understanding the speaker's message.Tailoring communication styles to the audience can enhance understanding and cooperation.Silence can be detrimental; addressing issues directly is important.Building trust takes time and requires consistent, genuine interactions.Stories can be powerful tools to connect with skeptical audiences. ChaptersIntroduction to Effective CommunicationPhilosophical Foundations of CommunicationUnderstanding Roles in CommunicationEmpathy and Active ListeningNonverbal Communication TechniquesThe Power of Follow-Up CommunicationPersonalized Responses in Local GovernmentTailoring Communication StylesResources from ICMA Learning LabSelf-Paced Online Course: Communicating with Elected Officials, Staff, and the MediaFree On-demand Webinar: Improving Trust and Transparency with Better Public Communications

Guest InformationDave O'Reilly, CivicPlus Chief Operating OfficerMike Paciello, AudioEye Chief Accessibility OfficerTakeawaysThe Department of Justice has issued a final ruling on website accessibility, requiring compliance with specific timeframes based on population size and tax income.Local governments need to establish a clear compliance plan, conduct an audit of their digital presence, and prioritize fixing frequently accessed pages.Residents with disabilities should be involved in the feedback process to ensure their needs are met.Building core competency within the organization and vetting vendors with deep domain expertise is crucial for successful implementation.Chapters00:00 Introduction02:44 Compliance Deadlines08:20 The Role of Feedback and Resident Engagement18:49 The Urgency of Compliance22:16 Challenges and Vendor Selection27:43 Ensuring Compliance and Building Competency31:03 Conclusion Resources7 Steps to Meeting the DOJ's New Web Accessibility Ruling 

ChaptersPart ThreeThe successful response at the Texas Allen Outlet Mall shootingBuilding Trust and CoordinationThe Role of City and County ManagersEnsuring Training and ResourcesResourcesALERRT.orgUnitedOnGuns.orgGet the Mass Shooting Protocol - First 24 Hours | FREE DownloadGet the Mass Shooting Playbook | FREE DownloadTen Essential Actions to Improve School Safety

ChaptersPart TwoLeadership and Chain of CommandCollaboration between Law Enforcement and Fire DepartmentsProtocols and Tabletop ExercisesChallenges and Planning for Response in Rural AreasThe Chain of Survival and Models of ResponseResourcesALERRT.orgUnitedOnGuns.orgGet the Mass Shooting Protocol - First 24 Hours | FREE DownloadGet the Mass Shooting Playbook | FREE DownloadTen Essential Actions to Improve School Safety

ChaptersPart OneIntroduction and Commitment to Local SolutionsLaw Enforcement Preparedness OverviewChallenges of Box Checking and the Need for Ongoing TrainingTraining Expectations for Law Enforcement OfficersFunding Options and the Role of City ManagersMaking Proper Response a PriorityResourcesALERRT.orgUnitedOnGuns.orgGet the Mass Shooting Protocol - First 24 Hours | FREE DownloadGet the Mass Shooting Playbook | FREE DownloadTen Essential Actions to Improve School Safety

Warren Hutmacher joins ICMA's Voices in Local Government podcast for a recurring Q/A theme on local gov careers, hiring, and recruiting. Today's topic is what can lose... or keep a great employee doing great work.

Warren Hutmacher joins ICMA's Voices in Local Government podcast for a recurring Q/A theme on local gov careers, hiring, and recruiting. Today's topic is mandatory residency requirements for city/county managers. Pros, cons, questions, and concerns. Then listen for part two, How to Lose Great Employees.

 Iris Lee, Public Works Director of Seal Beach, CaliforniaShane Silsby, CEO and Founder of Silsby Strategic Advisors(2:10) Question 1: "What's your advice to encourage, nudge, (borderline force) employees to use and make the most of their available training programs and professional development funding?"And how can local government leaders effectively implement workforce development programs to enhance the skills, knowledge, and overall professional growth of their employees in today's landscape of generational transitions?(17:27) Question 2: Complaints about permitting are always one of the biggest issues for our support and communications teams. This remains a huge rift between residents and local governments. What can local government do better? (26:23) Question 3:I serve in a public works department for a fairly large county. Our team constantly sees high profile projects get the budget and media attention while less visible but arguably more critical infrastructure needs are delayed or ignored. Even after increased Federal funding over the last few years. As leaders of a public works department, how do you set priorities? And how do you advocate during the budget/decision making process?Resourcesemail podcast@icma.org to send questions or ideas for the next Local Gov Life Advice.Managing for Meteors: Preparing Local Government Leaders Before the ImpactPublic Works Podcast

Three Question Local Gov Life Advice1:17: Question 1: “When do I know it's time to leave my organization for other opportunities? Or am I better off sticking around and seeing what opens up?”13:49 Question 2: "I've been the ACAO in a medium-sized town for six years. Recently they created a new second ACAO position. The new hire has a few more years experience. The exact split of responsibilities is unclear. And while this will eventually help ease my workload, I'm tasked with training this person who will likely end up competing when the CAO position eventually becomes open. How do I balance being a team player with my personal goals?22:20 Question 3: "What's the best way for an ACAO to gain experience working with council without overstepping the CAO" GuestsKatherine Caffrey, principal & founder, NAVIS Consulting, former ACAOJeff Jenkins, deputy city manager, Taylor, Texas

Part two focuses on severance agreement negotiations. TakeawaysSeverance agreements are of utmost importance for city managers, providing protection and security in case of termination.Negotiating severance agreements should consider the duration of payment and the inclusion of benefits.Differentiating between cause and no cause in severance agreements is crucial to avoid ambiguity and potential legal disputes.The inclusion of a clause related to the conviction of a felony in severance agreements provides clarity and protection for both parties.The risk profile of severance agreements may vary depending on the stage of a career, with more leverage and negotiation power as experience and reputation increase.Educating city councils on the importance of severance agreements can help ensure fair and reasonable negotiations.Preparing for the worst and prioritizing personal and family protection in severance agreements is essential for city managers.Resourcesemail podcast@icma.org to send Warren a question about hiring, recruiting, or anything career-related.Sumter Local Government Consulting

Part one focuses on internal and external pay paradox. Should an IT director or civil engineer make significantly more than a fire or police chief? With tight budgets, how can city/county managers and HR leaders attract top candidates and keep current employees morale up?Resourcesemail podcast@icma.org to send Warren a question about hiring, recruiting, or anything career-related.Sumter Local Government Consulting

Free ResourcesGovermentAI CoalitionFree Membership ApplicationFree to Use Deliverable Guide, including:AI PolicyAI Policy ManualAI Incident Response PlanAI Fact SheetVendor AgreementUse Case TemplateVendor RegistryICMA Local Government Reimagined Conference: Explore the Future of AI in Local Government - June 5-7 in Palm Desert, California

Chapters00:00 Introduction01:25 Job Search Process07:15 Networking and Job Search Resources09:11 Negotiating Job Offers16:05 Adjusting to the CAO Role28:29 Building Relationships with Staff29:57 Hiring Veterans and Tapping into the Talent PoolResourcesVeterans Local Government Management FellowshipVoices in Local Government Podcast EP27 Veterans in Local Government Management ProgramICMA Job CenterHuman Resources Recruitment Handbook: Hiring Veterans for Local Government Positions

(Timestamps are an approximation)00:52 Defining Mediation02:34 Mediation in Local Government05:08 Mediation in Noise Complaints09:05 Benefits of Mediation for Local Government11:41 Mediation in Policy and Ordinance Development13:11 Cost Benefit of Mediation15:15 Mediation and Community Engagement20:22 Challenges in Mediation25:56 Implementing Mediation in Local Government28:26 Finding and Hiring Mediators29:13 Conclusion ResourcesSage MediationICMA Learning Lab on-demand webinar: Managing a Divided Council.

In part two, Santy and Hemant continue covering these topics:How should IT or HR departments answer when employees ask: "How will AI make my job easier instead of replacing me?"How residents can use AI to help themselves and create better interaction with local government.What is the next step for local governments and individual staff after experimenting?AI architecture.Creating internal guidelines.Fear and optimism from our favorite fictional AI.ResourcesCity of Boston Interim Guidelines for Using GenerativeAIICMA's Local Government Reimagined Conferences:Explore the Future of AI in Local GovernmentOne Topic.  Two Locations. ICMA is headed to Boston, MA and Palm Desert, CA for the Local Government Reimagined Conferences. From cutting-edge applications to strategic insights, discover how AI is reshaping the landscape of local government. Register here.Government AI CoalitionJoin over 140 government agencies in creating standards for responsible AI procurement and governance for public agencies. Learn more.Additional ContentZencity: Using Generative AI for Community Engagement, from our partner named a 2024 GovTech100 company.

Define AI, GenerativeAI and dismiss common myths or misconceptions.How can AI can be used as a precise tool for a specific project right now?How can local governments vet vendors?Application for smaller towns and counties.Are GenerativeAI tools going to remain free?AI's ability to help and/or hurt public discourse and local government employees caught in the middle.ResourcesCity of Boston Interim Guidelines for Using GenerativeAIICMA's Local Government Reimagined Conferences:Explore the Future of AI in Local GovernmentOne Topic.  Two Locations. ICMA is headed to Boston, MA and Palm Desert, CA for the Local Government Reimagined Conferences. From cutting-edge applications to strategic insights, discover how AI is reshaping the landscape of local government. Register here.Government AI CoalitionJoin over 140 government agencies in creating standards for responsible AI procurement and governance for public agencies. Learn more.Additional ContentZencity: Using Generative AI for Community Engagement, from our partner named a 2024 GovTech100 company.

Resources:ICMA Economic Mobility and Opportunity Tools and Resources ICMA Annual Conference, Austin, TexasFree Breakfast Workshop with Danielle Arigoni: Affordable, Climate-Friendly Housing as a Pathway for Economic MobilityOctober 2, 20237:45am to 9:45am CTAustin Convention CenterRoom: Meeting Room 4Climate Resilience for an Aging Nation, by Danielle Arigoni. Use promo code "webinar" for a 30% discount. More from ICMA strategic partner, Cigna:Local government healthcare resources

ICMA experts on brownfields, Clark Henry and Chris Harrell, explain why brownfields are a problem and how to transform them into sustainable spaces with positive economic, social, and environmental impact. Often at no cost to the local government. Then they preview the Brownfields Conference, August 8-11 in Detroit.ResourcesTechnical Assistance to Brownfields Communities: Free technical assistance and workshops (in-person or digital) via ICMA in region four, or find your representative organization on the resources page.Brownfields Conference, August 8-11 in DetroitBrownfields University, a foundational pre-conference training program, free with registration for Brownfields 2023 conference. ICMA Brownfields topic page, for the basics all the way through advanced studies and resources.Free copy of the ResourceX Annual Impact Report

City and County government organizations face significant challenges, including budget constraints, changing regulations, and increasing demand for transparency and accountability. Finance transformation can help address these challenges by improving financial processes, increasing efficiency, and enhancing decision-making capabilities. Jim McClurkin and Miriam Rayward explain how initial assessment, defining vision and objectives, developing a roadmap, engaging stakeholders, and implementing and monitoring progress, local government organizations can begin their finance transformation journey, including:Integration across multiple functions, departments, and projects. HR, payroll, t+e, accounts payable, compliance, etc).Talent and change management.Analytics for real-time decision making instead of waiting until "budget season".Tips on how to optimize processes with new technologyResourcesFree eBook: 4 Ways to Turn AP More Productive for Cities and CountiesICMA's A Budgeting Guide for Local Government, Fourth Edition

Local government spends 2 trillion dollars annually on procurement. Co-founder and CEO of Pavilion, Mariel Reed, shares her unique perspective working in both local government and technology to create solutions that improve the often tedious, slow, and painful procurement processes, including:Drastically reduce buying cycles.Maintain compliance.How city/county managers and department heads can empower purchasing managers to transform the dreaded procurement headache into a strategic advantage.ResourcesPavilion's free platform for local governments.Connect with Mariel on LinkedIn to continue the conversation or ask questions about procurement. Include ICMA podcast in your message!Emergency preparation and response resources from Hagerty Consulting.

ICMA Southeast Regional Director, Randy Reid joins the share nearly 50 years of wisdom on:Advocating for the profession of local government administration.Responding to public criticism and handling an unwanted spotlight as a city/county manager.Separating local government service delivery from the partisan pitfalls of national or local politics.Specific strategies to identify and support the next generation of managers.ResourcesICMA Local Government Reimagined Conferences, Louisville, May 10-12 and Long Beach, June 7-9.Free E-Book: The 2023 State of Local Government Report

Mental health for local government leaders, their staff, and their residents is discussed with Johnny Crowder. ICMA Affinity partner, Cope Notes, is a daily text service that interrupts negative thought patterns with positive stimulus to help improve mental wellness.Co-hosts Jessi Atcheson and Joe Supervielle collected questions about mental health and the Cope Notes model from ICMA  members, staff, and others for an Ask Me Anything interview, including:How does peer support connect with neuroscience?How does it fit in or compliment with seeing a professional, certified therapist?Stigma to even have a conversation about mental health has made progress, but how do you show people it's okay to seek support?How can text messages possibly make a meaningful impact on mental health?How do local governments or other organizations with group subscriptions measure success if it's all anonymous?ResourcesPreliminary effectiveness study of the Cope Notes digital mental Health program in the Journal of Mental Health.Recap from Crowder's session at ICMA Annual Conference Columbus, and his TEDx Talks.Local government healthcare resources from Cigna. 

Lawrence E. Henderson, Jr., President & Chief Learning Officer, Business Operational Support Services (BOSS), LLC, shares insights on how to move from leadership clichés to behavior and habits that:Build and maintain high performing teamsEffectively delegateInspire and supportResourcesMessage Lawrence Henderson on LinkedIn and mention ICMA's Voices in Local Government podcast for a free 1-1 consultation.Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize tasks by urgency and importance (or a lack of) to decide what to do, delegate, or hold.Free, self-guided website solutions demo from CivicPlus.

Cedar Park, Texas deputy city manager, Katherine Caffrey created the TEXChange program in Texas to benefit assistant city/county managers in their daily work . In this episode, Caffrey outlines the goals of the exchange for participant and host, lessons learned in the inaugural group of 14, what's planned for 2023, and how to set up a similar informal program in your own region or state.ResourcesICMA Blog: How We Created a Successful Exchange Student Program for Assistant and Deputy Managerskatherine.caffrey@cedarparktexas.govFree, self-guided website solutions demo from CivicPlus.

Sue Lessard, town manager, Bucksport, Maine, tells a familiar tale of a small town struggling after a major industry closed its doors. With renewed focus on economic development but still searching for a way to reshape the town's identity, local government determined how to get out of the way when it comes to community engagement - Community Heart and Soul.Jane Lafleur explains that it is a resident-driven process that relies on in-person interviews along with other digital methods to engage the entire population of a town. This identifies what is most loved about the community, the future the residents want for it, and how to achieve it. Local government can secure grant funding and provide the infrastructure.The result is participation based on positives, not complaints, and real data to inform council decisions. ResourcesApply for a $10,000 seed grant for communities under 30,000 populationObtain Community Heart and Soul's free intro book or email them at info@communityheartandsoul.orgICMA's Local Government Reimagined initiative and conferencesICMA's Strategic Planning in Small Communities: A Manager's Manual

 Why local governments are the best stewards of federal funding opportunities.How investment decisions can help address issues of inequity and expand upward mobility and opportunities for all residents.How specific cities like Tacoma, Washington; Baltimore, Maryland; and Union City, Georgia are using their federal funds, included in NLC's ARPA Investment Tracker.How small and mid-sized communities in particular can get access to technical assistance for grant writing to apply for federal funds.Why it's so important for communities to gather community input on the front end of city projects and then communicating intentions and results across various channels to a diverse public.ResourcesZencity 360: essential tools to help government agencies improve services, build community trust, and increase overall satisfaction, from our partner recently named a 2023 GovTech100 company.ICMA's Local Government Reimagined initiative and conferencesICMA's Strategic Planning in Small Communities: A Manager's Manual

In this episode of CitiesSpeak, NLC CEO and Executive Director Clarence Anthony sits down with Emily Larson, Mayor of Duluth, Minnesota to talk about how the city of Duluth is addressing big issues from revitalizing its downtown core coming out of the pandemic to addressing the impacts of climate change and building a more sustainable community.

Show before, during, and after shots of projects to communicate progress with the public, council, and commissioners.Capture multiple high-resolution images per location per year.Integrate at an enterprise level with cross-department functionality.ResourcesExclusive free two-week trial: Enhance government workflows with premium aerial intelligence from Nearmap. ICMA's Strategic Planning in Small Communities: A Manager's Manual

Leaders from Baldwin Park and the San Gabriel Valley Regional Housing Trust explain:How Tiny Home sites are selected and set up.Scalability to show how this program can help your town address the homeless crisis and reduce service calls. This is not just an L.A. problem or L.A. solution.Complementary programs, including: workforce development, food recovery, landlord outreach, recreation, crisis intervention, prevention, and diversion.Funding and the financial case for the program.How to engage with city council and the public.San Gabriel Valley Regional Housing Trust with RFP templates, case studies, and more to help take a first step.Contact Brielle Acevedo with questions about Tiny Homes or Regional Housing Trusts at bacevedo@sgvrht.org.ICMA Annual Conference Presentation Slide ShowSponsor ResourcesExclusive free two-week trial: Enhance government workflows with premium aerial intelligence from Nearmap. 

Lt. Col. Dean Huard, ICMA Fellow, Georgetown, Texas, and Lynn Phillips, ICMA senior program manager, explain the process, benefits, and challenges of ICMA's Veterans in Local Government Management Program for transitioning service members and local governments.The program is zero cost for the organization, with no obligation to make a permanent hire.What fellows typically do day-to-day to gain critical experience and fill needs for the host organization.Creating a work plan to maximize impact and measure success.Transparent and calibrated expectations by the host locations and fellows, including what locations and position-level to target.Cohort dates cycle throughout the year, but can be adjusted for specific situations:January - AprilMay - August (Applications open in January)September - DecemberContact Lynn Phillips at lphillips@icma.org for next steps on becoming a host. Resources:Download the Free EBook: Measure What Matters: Tips for Aligned Strategic Priorities  and watch the video on How Minneapolis Prepares for the Future with Strategic Budgeting

Specific topics include:How to standardize customer data and experiences across unique departments and situations.What resources are needed to implement this kind of program. And why it's important to find small and big wins to show the value of the work.Forming "CX Core Teams" to keep the framework and process sustainable even without constant support from an analyst.Working with IT to figure out software solutions.Reconciling how a disproportionate percentage of feedback is extreme positive or negative compared to the silent middle.Equity in CX and data analytics.Customer Experience Measurement Guidebook for a replicatable step by step process about how to implement a measurement framework to get customer feedback. Resources:Download the Free EBook: Measure What Matters: Tips for Aligned Strategic Priorities  and watch the video on How Minneapolis Prepares for the Future with Strategic Budgeting

Charlie Nichols, director of planning & development, Linn County, Iowa joins the show to explain the planning and process needed to turn a decommissioned nuclear plant into a solar farm.Why the county was interested in solar, and how the project started.The time and resources needed during the application process, and how that was accounted and paid for.How to best communicate to the public and remain a-political on a controversial topic.Lessons learned that other locations can benefit from on their own current or future large-scale energy projects.ResourcesICMA's Solar@Scale GuidebookLinn County's solar project webpage. An example on collecting and communicating all the relevant information to the public.Sponsored by CivicPlus Municipal Websites

 Planning committee co-chairs, Emily Muzzarelli and Alex McIntyre preview this year's ICMA 2022 Annual Conference: Achieving Excellence Together, September 17-22 in Columbus, Ohio.What they've learned at a previous event that was put into practice at their local government.Speakers or sessions they're most excited for.Benefits and tips for attendees other than city/count managers, covering assistant CAOs, department heads, and early to mid-career professionals.Networking.Suggestions for Columbus.Then, Ohio local, ICMA marketing coordinator and host of ICMA Member Spotlights, Jessi Atcheson joins to give more info on the Columbus airport, walking/ride-share situation, best restaurants and bars, and THE Ohio State University Saturday game day experience. Sponsored by CivicPlus Municipal Websites ResourcesRegistrationAgenda and Full ScheduleConference AppDigital EventExperience Columbus deals and discountsSend questions to membership@icma.org or conferenceteam@icma.orgSessions Referenced During the Episode to Bookmark:Self-Compassion: A Key to Resilience-Featuring Betty Hart-SponsoredGoverning in a Disruptive Environment: Charting a Course in a Stormy SeaThe Balancing Act of Being a Parent and a Chief Executive Jessi's recommendations:OSU Pregame: Little Bar, MidwayRestaurants: Condados, Bakersfield, Standard, Foodhall, Lincoln Social, Hubbard, Local Cantina, Marcella's, TownHall, The Eagle, BrassicaBreweries: Hoof Hearted, Seventh Son, North High Brewing, Columbus Brewing Company, Ohio Brewing Company, Whistle and Keg, BrewDog, Elevator Brewery & Draught HausOther Attractions: COSI, Columbus Zoo, North Market, German Village, Franklin Park Conservatory, Easton Town Center

Jeannetta Maxena, Assistant to the City Manager, City of Mary Esther, Florida, explains the frustrations experienced and resiliency needed during her job search. Then she shares five tips for job seekers:Explore the ICMA Local Government Management Fellowship (LGMF) or similar program on a state level. These don't always mean internship or low pay.Stay visible. Get published, go to events, and more.Use a variety of digital platforms to search.Improve (and sometimes customize) your resume/cover letter.Establish good working relationships.Jeannetta then recalls her experience working on ICMA's soon to be released Job Hunting Handbook, and closes the show with final advice to job seekers and decision makers looking to hire them.ResourcesICMA Local Government Management Fellowship. Applications open September, 2022.Fellows | Host Organizations ICMA's Job Hunting Handbook update coming soon! Career Resource Guides Sponsored by Smarsh

Part two picks up with Desiree and Chris answering questions ICMA CAOs and department/team leaders want to know (but can't always directly ask) of early career professionals. Then concludes with questions the guests have for local government leaders. ResourcesICMA Local Government Management Fellowship. Applications open September, 2022.Fellows | Host OrganizationsSponsored by CivicOptimize. Workflows and automations from CivicPlus

Part one begins with Desiree and Chris providing insight for CAOs and department/team leaders to understand what aspects or benefits is most important to their job satisfaction. With many of the nine categories scoring a four or five, there's a follow up blog post with a ranked order.The hiring process is discussed, with common frustrations and ideas on new approaches that can help local government win the passionate and talented early career professionals that are in such high demand.Part one concludes with thoughts on how early career professionals can best contribute and add value to their local governments right away, while each side can be intentional for further development.Then, listen to part two.ResourcesICMA Local Government Management Fellowship. Applications open September, 2022.Fellows | Host OrganizationsSponsored by CivicPlus Municipal Websites

Claudia Arriaga of OpenGov guest hosts this episode of Voices in Local Government to interview Boulder, CO. city manager, Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde on why and how to use data to manage change in local government.How data helped allocate budget and justify adjusting charges to create a focused approach to solve specific, repeated challenges and community complaints.What tools and systems can be implemented to collect, organize, and understand quantitative and qualitative data to make informed decisions.How to make government spending more transparent, including internally for better staff communication.How Boulder went back to the basics with strategic initiatives around:Retention and recruitmentData on diversity, equity, and inclusionHousing affordability and homelessnessClimate changeChange managementResources:Download the Free EBook: Measure What Matters: Tips for Aligned Strategic Priorities  and watch the video on How Minneapolis Prepares for the Future with Strategic Budgeting

If you missed part one, listen here to learn how to recognize the value retirees and other older adults have and the positive impact they can have on our communities, including municipal boards and commissions and special projects that fill service gaps.Greg and Cora return for part two to dive into the details of what it takes to launch the Give 5 Civic Matchmaking Program, including: An overview on how to identify the community challenges that Give 5ers could help address.How Give 5 can get started in your own communities: general operational needs and requirements and an estimated launch plan and budget.Instructions on what it takes financially and operationally to launch a program in the Give 5 network.Answering questions about community engagement, volunteerism and increasing levels of social capital to build unity and trust in local government.Visit give5program.org or Email Greg and Cora directly at: give5@uwozarks.orgSponsored by Smarsh

Sarah Peck, director of United on Guns answers questions on what city and county managers must do to lead through tragedy.Key takeaways:Schedule a tabletop exercise annually, inviting the highest elected official, the police chief or sheriff, the local FBI, a Public Information Officer, and other key staff.Security solutions should be analyzed thoroughly and emotion must be removed from purchasing decisions.Don't do overly realistic drills, especially for young children.Despite demoralizing frustration, there are steps local government leaders can and must take now to plan, respond, and recover.

Mara Mintzer, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Growing Up Boulder, and Sarah Huntley, Director of Communication and Engagement, City of Boulder Colorado discuss how ideas from kids can help local government design better cities and develop engaged citizens.Why the effort is worth it.How the work is done.Examples of sample projects that were approved and completed, including transportation planning and an organized response to a mass-shooting.Resources:Through June 30, 2022, use code ICMA25 for 25% of Placemaking with Children and YouthMara Mintzer's TedTalkGrowing Up BoulderSponsored by Smarsh 

Massive wildfires and other challenges large and small over a few years created a difficult working environment in Butte County, CA. Their director of public works, Joshua Pack joins the show to explain how an employee survey based on a genuine desire to listen and improve went a long way to gather honest feedback and respond with employee-driven changes.