| Building livable communities that improve people's lives |  |
| Leadership and Management
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- 7 steps to leading past your fears
It might be impossible not to feel scared sometimes, but leaders must work through that to keep team members brave and on track, Kevin Eikenberry writes. Among seven steps he advises taking: "Acknowledge the team's emotions. If the team is scared, let them know it is OK; and be genuine with them about your feelings too," he writes. KevinEikenberry.com
(10/29)
| Budgeting and Finance
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- N.M. county manager works to sort out finances
Six months into his tenure, Valencia County, N.M., Manager Bruce Swingle is working to sort out finances that he says are "a mess." He cited paying for insurance on 22 vehicles that are not used and paying to maintain printers that are more than two decades old as examples of how the county has not managed money smartly. Swingle also said the county has eight credit cards to which several employees have access; he plans to get rid of them and assign replacements to specific people. KRQE-TV (Albuquerque, N.M.)
(11/4)
- Calif. city manager develops measures to rein in budget
Upland, Calif., City Manager Stephen Dunn said the city must find $2 million per year in the general fund to become financially stable. Dunn will recommend short-term solutions, including $229,000 in budget reductions, and long-term answers, including asking voters to approve a business-license-tax increase, to the City Council at a special meeting Wednesday. Layoffs are not part of his recommendations. Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (Ontario, Calif.)
(11/4)
| Emergency Management and Public Safety
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- Wash. county will increase patrol on deadly road
Spokane County, Wash., will put grant money from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission toward extra patrol on a road that is considered one of the deadliest in the county. The Sheriff's Office, the engineer's office and the Target Zero Task Force, which works to end traffic fatalities, are teaming up on the project, which began when the engineer's office improved the road, including enhancing signs, laying down outer-edge striping and putting up guardrails. The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Wash.) (free content)
(11/5)
| Economic Development, Restoration and Sustainability
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- Committee opposes Va. county manager's electric-taxi plan
The Arlington County, Va., Transportation Committee voted unanimously to ask the County Board to reject a recommendation from the county manager that would add 40 all-electric vehicles to the county's taxi fleet. The committee concluded that technology used in electric cars has not developed enough and that such taxis could leave passengers stranded before they reach their destination. The Examiner (Washington, D.C.)
(11/2)
- Resident-based panel recommends economic plan for Fla. county
The Alachua County, Fla., Commission is working to prioritize strategies and goals recommended by the Economic Development Advisory Committee, which comprises about 15 residents. Goals include changing land-use policy to streamline review and developing a quicker response to businesses interested in expansion. "It's been a long process, and we were excited to have some closure on it [and] to take the next step," the committee's chairman said. The Gainesville Sun (Fla.)
(11/3)
| Ethics
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| Legislation, Policy and Grants
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- Realtors and government officials are at odds over Fla. amendment
In a final drive to gain voter support for a real estate amendment on today's ballot, the Greater Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Realtors held an Amendment 4 rally that included free hot dogs and beer and sign waving at key intersections. Amendment 4, which needs 60% voter approval to pass, would offer a homestead exemption to first-time purchasers, along with $50,000 already in place, and would reduce the cap on annual assessment of nonhomesteaded properties to 5%. While Florida Realtors say the amendment would bring a much-needed boost to the economy, government officials think it would cause revenue shortfalls and tax increases. Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
(11/2)
| Public Works and Infrastructure
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- Ore. city council again considers building third bridge
The Salem, Ore., City Council discussed a long-debated possibility of a third bridge over the Willamette River. The Task Force and Oversight Team, which last met in August, plans to recommend a design that would link north Salem's Salem Parkway and west Salem's Highway 22, as well as alternative solutions. Statesman-Journal (Salem, Ore.) (tiered subscription model)
(11/5)
| ICMA News
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ICMA University: Invest in training, not travel
A critical part of building your organization is training your staff, but finding the time to do so can be tricky. ICMA University is here to help! In one afternoon, your staff can receive specialized training across a broad range of topics that enables them to increase professional knowledge and skills. Topics include Ethics, High-Performing Organizations, Performance Measurement, Management, Citizen Engagement, Staff Development, Personal Development, Leadership and Innovation, and Planning, Budgeting and Finance. These workshops are a low-cost, high-payoff professional-development opportunity that can be brought to your office, conference or meeting. Whatever your experience level -- whether you're fresh out of graduate school or you're a seasoned manager -- ICMA University has something for you. Visit the ICMA University website to review the full selection of training opportunities.
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Thursday's Web conference will focus on attracting and retaining retailers
As the economy rebounds, communities have a dual role: Attract new businesses, while keeping existing businesses healthy and strong. During the ICMA Web conference "Economic Development: Attracting Retailers and Keeping Them," scheduled from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, you will discuss how to target retailers, partner with developers and commercial brokers, and use incentives to stimulate development. The event will feature Lisa Hill, vice president of Buxton's public-sector division; Steven Lantsberger, economic-development director for Hesperia, Calif.; and Jeff Fleming, assistant city manager for Kingsport, Tenn. Register.
| SmartQuote
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 | Whoever is winning at the moment will always seem to be invincible."
--George Orwell,
British novelist and journalist
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