As local governments scramble to fill critical roles left by a wave of retirements, many are eyeing the influx of laid-off federal workers as a solution. For municipal clerks, who are often at the center of hiring and onboarding, understanding the advantages and drawbacks of bringing former federal employees onto your team is key. Pros [...]
Almost like clockwork – hah! – Congress (there's a bill in each house) is again considering permanent Daylight Saving Time (DST) under the Sunshine Protection Act. This year, Texas and other states are proposing permanent Standard Time (ST). Meanwhile, some argue for keeping the current system of biannual time changes. Each option has unique implications [...]
In addition to the governing body - which may also be referred to as a board or council - local governments may establish boards, committees, and commissions. While these terms are often used interchangeably, there are distinct differences between them. Local Government Boards Local government boards are bodies established to oversee specific departments or areas [...]
As local government staff, you're likely the keepers of your community's history. You preserve records, manage landmarks, and maybe even lead tours through charming old buildings. But for describing these treasures, do you ever stumble over the words "historic" and "historical"? Don't worry, you're not alone! A recent article on Apartment Therapy showed "historic" and [...]
To some degree, remote work is here to stay. So what happens to the empty office spaces downtown? What about the businesses opened downtown to serve those now-missing workers? Route 50 shared a story about some cities and towns reimagining their downtown spaces to lure more people back to these areas. “There is no new [...]
"Retired. Gone fishing." We received that exact auto-response to a recent email. Back in January, we talked about MarketWatch's article, the "Great Resignation," and how it was impacting local governments. We've certainly seen an uptick in retirements among our own local government friends and contacts. Recently, the International City Managers' Association (ICMA) followed up with [...]
"Rubber Stamp Tree" by Jeffrey Beall on Flickr We're reaching back into the vault for Gov1's 2017 article titled "7 Habits of a Highly Effective City Clerk." In the article, outgoing Des Plaines, Ill. City Clerk Gloria Ludwig shares her secrets, which include: Stay Educated Affiliate with the Pros Communicate Regularly We want to know [...]
Back in 2019, ICMA had a campaign to "spread the love" in local government offices with some Valentine's e-cards to show your colleagues and community how much you care. We thought it was worth bringing back. After the past couple of years, showing our colleagues that they're valued and appreciated is more important than ever. [...]
September is Deaf Awareness Month—an ideal time for local government professionals to review and strengthen how they serve Deaf and hard of hearing community members. Whether you’re planning public meetings, providing essential services, or communicating online, fostering accessible, inclusive communication is vital year-round. Ten Best Practices for Communicating with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals [...]
At ClerkBase, we love working with local government employees. We've built real friendships with our client contacts. img: Melinda Forrester We hope you'll join us in our LinkedIn Group discussion, "What do you love about your local government job?" Share the love!
