The value of professional management in local government has once again been borne out in hard numbers, indicating a strong correlation between non-political, executive-style management and the financial health and stability of these communities. These numbers also serve to elevate and validate the profession of city/county manager and its role in creating a Life, Well…

All the elements that make Kansas City, Mo., a well-run city — from its new streetcar system to its engaged residents — come together in the new Life, Well Run video produced by the communications staff and submitted by Assistant City Manager/Director of Aviation Pat Klein. City Manager, Troy Schulte, explains in the video that,…

City, County and Town Managers know that an active Parks and Rec Department is central to having a well-run community. The folks at the National Parks and Recreation Association declared the Month of July “National Parks and Recreation Month” and offer a toolkit for communities.  The Association says, “On any given day, someone is being…

For those of us interested in learning about best practices in local government and the city, town and county managers who work with their teams to make communities better, it’s worth checking out Local Gov Life. This is a pilot initiative developed by ICMA. The first six episodes are based on feature stories from Public Management magazine, which…