Making the “right” decision is always difficult when it comes to complex organizations. This reality is even more compounded in local government, where we must consider the impacts of our decisions on the workforce and the community. All the while, we are further constrained by federal and state laws outside of our control. Thus, decision-making in local government requires sound planning, community engagement, and fiscal preparation to ensure the goals of the local governing body are adequately met and sustainable.  

However, in a moment of crisis, we lose the luxury of time, which is necessary for strategic planning and preparation. Instead, we must react tactically and address the immediate issues while relying upon the groundwork we have laid prior to the crisis. In the face of COVID-19, local governments across the country are confronted with this reality as we strive to maintain government operations, adjust to new realities, and help our communities remain vibrant and economically stable in the wake of this pandemic. 

Since launching ICMA Connect, members have been raising new questions, sharing their experiences, and offering policies, documents, and solutions to the challenges they face. While every locality is different, and there is no one “right” answer to many of the questions raised, what is certain is that this learning community is invaluable during times of crisis. Whether you need to understand some of the legal obstacles and technical challenges of conducting virtual town hall meetings, or you need guidance on how to ensure equity in pay, benefits, and telework opportunities for your workforce, ICMA Connect is a great place to make connections and reach out to others who are going through this crisis with you.  

Join in the discussions. Share your own experiences. Together, we can make more informed decisions, learn from each other, and discover new paths forward to serving our community and our employees.

In the meantime, here are some great resources from ICMA on decision-making during a crisis:

Lessons Learned from a Disaster

Local government leaders share their advice on disaster mitigation and recovery. >> Read More

Becoming Crisis Ready

How to transform today’s uncertainties into strategic opportunities. >> Read More

How to Build an Invincible Community in this Uncertain World

Four simple yet powerful steps toward providing a community or organization with a crisis-ready culture that will lead them to invincibility. >> Read More

For additional information, visit ICMA’s Coronavirus Resource page.

Are you ready to join the discussion?

ICMA Connect provides ICMA members with the support network of over 12,000 local government professionals and stakeholders around with world. This member-only community gives our members the opportunity to connect with each other regardless of location, share resources and ideas, and discuss issues that are central to the effective management and advancement of our communities. Join the growing list of members who've added this community as a go-to resource in leading their organizations and communities through challenging times.

Join ICMA Connect Today!