As a City Finance Director, I need to be very careful when discussing this topic.  I have kept my job in City government for 35 years because I understand the nuances of the oftentimes challenging policies and work product we perform at City Hall. This is what we sometimes call the “sausage making” of public… Read More »

Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I’ll never land a good government job without a college degree”? You’re not alone. So many people believe that a college diploma is the golden ticket. But here’s the surprising truth: that’s not always the case. Across the country, state governments are rethinking old rules and stripping college degree… Read More »

Here’s something worth thinking about: how many times have you seen government decisions made on gut feelings, political pressure, or just a “let’s hope this works” approach? Probably more than you’d like to admit. But here’s the exciting part, you have the power to change that. Data analytics isn’t just a buzzword; it’s becoming the… Read More »

At City of La Mesa, California, the City Council and the community are serious about mitigating and solving the issue of climate change.  The following message is from the City of La Mesa website:  “In March 2018, the City of La Mesa affirmed its commitment to environmental sustainability when City Council adopted the Climate Action Plan (CAP).… Read More »

Crisis management isn’t just another box to check off your leadership list. It’s the difference between steady leadership and complete chaos. Imagine this: one unexpected cyberattack could flip the switch on your City’s power grid, shutting down electricity, jamming communication networks, freezing financial transactions, and even paralyzing hospitals, all at the same time. Without clear… Read More »

This article is about building partnerships with other government agencies, especially our neighboring cities, and even our sister cities that are in other parts of the world.  However, I can’t help but use this article to promote a career in public service!  There’s a world of exciting personal and professional experiences when we exert ourselves… Read More »

Have you ever stopped to think about how much of your daily life depends on technology? From paying bills online to helping kids with homework, so many essentials now live behind a screen. But here’s the reality: in every community, including yours, there are residents who simply can’t get connected. And when neighbors are left… Read More »

You’ve probably felt it at the grocery store, the gas pump, or even while paying your utility bills, prices keep climbing, and your paycheck doesn’t seem to stretch as far as it used to. Now, imagine trying to balance not just your own household budget, but the budget of an entire City. That’s exactly what… Read More »

You might not realize it, but one of the biggest budget drains in government isn’t flashy projects or unexpected emergencies, it’s actually employee turnover. Every time someone leaves, the cost of replacing them can be staggering, anywhere from 16% to 200% of their salary depending on the role. And here’s the kicker: in the public… Read More »

Here’s something that might surprise you: while more than half of Cities worldwide are already testing or using AI to improve services, only about 2% of U.S. Cities have actually put these tools to work. Yet, the majority are still exploring what’s possible. So, what’s really holding us back? This is where the story gets… Read More »