Managing Local Government: An Essential Guide for Municipal and County Managers offers a practical introduction to the changing structure, forms, and functions of local governments. Taking a metropolitan management perspective, authors Kimberly Nelson and Carl W. Stenberg explain U.S. local government within historical context and provide strategies for effective local government management and problem solving. Real-life scenarios and contemporary issues illustrate the organization and networks of local governments; the roles, responsibilities, and relationships of city and county managers; and the dynamics of the intergovernmental system. Case studies and discussion questions in each chapter encourage critical analysis of the challenges of collaborative governance. Unlike other books on the market, this text’s combined approach of theory and practice encourages students to enter municipal and county management careers and equips them with tools to be successful from day one.
Known for encouraging step-by-step problem solving and for connecting techniques to real-world scenarios, David Ammons’ Tools for Decision Making covers a wide range of local government practices—from the foundational to the advanced. Brief and readable, each chapter opens with a problem in a hypothetical city and then introduces a tool to address it. Thoroughly updated with new local government examples, the second edition also incorporates chapters devoted to such additional techniques as sampling analysis, sensitivity analysis, financial condition analysis, and forecasting via trend analysis. Numerous tables, figures, exhibits, equations, and worksheets walk readers through the application of tools, and boxed features throughout each chapter present other uses for techniques, helpful online resources, and common errors. A handy guide for students and an invaluable resource and reference for practitioners.
Emphasis is placed on how all levels must work together to succeed and examples are presented demonstrating how all levels of government contribute to the lives of every citizen.
Managing Local Government Services, 3rd ed. is a comprehensive text on the subject of local government services relevant to local governments of all sizes. This edition is refocused and updated to include the demographic, economic, technology and cultural trends that affect the management of service delivery. New chapters discuss the shift from ¿government¿ to ¿governance,¿ alternative methods of service delivery, community development, and the five management practices that are fast becoming the standard for professional local government management.Each chapter lays out the manager¿s responsibilities in each service area, and provides effective policies, practices, and procedures. Short case examples give you a practical look at the goals, challenges, and solutions in the manager¿s world.
Government is a word we hear all the time but what does it really mean? That is the central theme of this impressively illustrated book as it helps peel away the confusion young readers may have about something that plays a vital role in all of our lives.
Provides answers to questions frequently asked by local government officials about local government contracts, competitive bidding requirements, purchasing organization and policies, and ethics and conflicts of interest. A convenient ôDollar Thresholdsö chart is also included.
Ever wanted to make a difference for your world, for your country or for your neighborhood but werent sure how to get started? Feel a little intimidated at the idea of contacting an elected leader whether your city council member, your state legislator or a Member of Congress? Think its impossible to gain the attention of elected leaders without sending them a big campaign contribution? Well, think again. In Citizens in Action, Stephanie Vance, the Advocacy Guru, takes the controversial position that it is possible to get heard on the Hill, that not all politicians are corrupt (OK, a few are), and that citizens can get things done from Washington, D.C. to their city council. Vances tips and advice are helpful whether youre just getting started on an advocacy effort or have been trying to gain the attention of elected officials for years. This edition ships February 15, 2009.
Introduces the purpose and function of local governments, explores the three branches of government at the city and county level, and presents the relationships between city and suburban governments and between various governments and schools.
Winner of the 2017 Most Promising New Textbook Award by Textbook & Academic Authors Association (TAA)! Practical guide to implementing Enterprise Risk Management processes and procedures in government organizations Enterprise Risk Management: A Guide for Government Professionals is a practical guide to all aspects of risk management in government organizations at the federal, state, and local levels. Written by Dr. Karen Hardy, one of the leading ERM practitioners in the Federal government, the book features a no-nonsense approach to establishing and sustaining a formalized risk management approach, aligned with the ISO 31000 risk management framework. International Organization for Standardization guidelines are explored and clarified, and case studies illustrate their real-world application and implementation in US government agencies. Tools, including a sample 90-day action plan, sample risk management policy, and a comprehensive implementation checklist allow readers to immediately begin applying the information presented. The book also includes results of Hardy's ERM Core Competency Survey for the Public Sector; which offers an original in-depth analysis of the Core Competency Skills recommended by federal, state and local government risk professionals. It also provides a side-by-side comparison of how federal government risk professionals view ERM versus their state and local government counterparts. Enterprise Risk Management provides actionable guidance toward creating a solid risk management plan for agencies at any risk level. The book begins with a basic overview of risk management, and then delves into government-specific topics including: U.S. Federal Government Policy on Risk Management Federal Manager's Financial Integrity Act GAO Standards for internal control Government Performance Results Modernization Act The book also provides a comparative analysis of ERM frameworks and standards, and applies rank-specific advice to employees including Budget Analysts, Program Analysts, Management Analysts, and more. The demand for effective risk management specialists is growing as quickly as the risk potential. Government employees looking to implement a formalized risk management approach or in need of increasing their general understanding of this subject matter will find Enterprise Risk Management a strategically advantageous starting point.
