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 [...]
Over the river and through the woods, you’ll find many historic bridges. These bridges play a vital role in our local government infrastructure, connecting communities and representing a bygone era. Who doesn't love a covered bridge, or old stone span? Demolition or replacement threatens many historic bridges due to age, deterioration, or safety concerns. Local [...]
According to Smithsonian, cities have seen benefits in "daylighting," or uncovering urban waterways that have been buried or covered over. can have many benefits, from improving water quality and wildlife habitat to creating new public spaces and promoting sustainable urban development. However, there are also potential challenges and negative impacts to consider. Benefits: Daylighting waterways [...]
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 [...]
The National Parks and Recreation Association designates July as the month National Parks & Recreation Month. Its purpose is to recognize the professionals and volunteers who make our local parks function all year. The Association has a toolkit to help local governments Rise Up for their parks department workers. A few things we learned from [...]
"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. [...]