Voices in Local Government

In this episode of Voices in Local Government, Phil Kiraly and Julia D. Novak, ICMA-CM answer the critical question at the heart of our profession: why council-manager government matters now more than ever. They discuss how ICMA's Future of Professional Management Fund supports advocacy and how to educate residents when defending and adopting council-manager government comes up on the ballot. Key Takeaways:Why council-manager form of government is effective and how to best educate residentsWhat is ICMA's Future of Professional Management Fund, what it's used for, and why it matters for membersHow a "team sport" approach of advocacy led to success defending council-manager government in IllinoisExcitement to continue the conversation on form of government and more at ICMA Annual Conference Featured Guests:Phil Kiraly - ICMA-CM - village manager of Glencoe, IllinoisJulia D. Novak - ICMA-CM – CEO and executive director of ICMA Voices in Local Government Podcast Hosts:Joe Supervielle and Angelica WedellResources:ICMA's Future of Professional Management FundPM Magazine: Making Big Strides in Advocating for Council-Manager GovernmentICMA Annual Conference, October 25-29 in Tampa. 

Key Takeaways for local government AI:Why policy might not be the best starting point... start doing!Get in the figurative sandbox and to play and test AI with small teams for real outcomes.Official policy documents and templates can be found (and copied!) via the GovAI Coalition. Featured Guest:Parth Shah – CEO and Co-Founder, Polimorphic Voices in Local Government Podcast Hosts:Joe Supervielle and Angelica WedellResources:ICMA Annual Conference, October 25-29 in Tampa. Multiple AI trainings on the ICMA Learning Lab.AI policy, templates, and more tools from the GovAI CoalitionVoices in Local Gov Episode: GovAI Coalition -  Your Voice in Shaping the Future of AI

Key Takeaways for local government's emergency management and response:Best practices in governmental preparedness.How to address the entire community.Ways to leverage technology to enhance information management and situational awareness.Cooperation with FEMA.Implement actionable review and continuous improvement.Featured Guest:John Antapasis, Emergency Management Director, Fire Rescue, City of TampaVoices in Local Government Podcast Hosts:Joe Supervielle and Angelica WedellResources:ICMA Recovery ResourcesICMA Annual Conference, October 25-29 in Tampa

Key Takeaways for local government's data and software:Be intentional during idea stage with disciplined winnowing.The difference between a platform and a tool - and what will best serve your needs.Sunk cost fallacy and resisting the urge to double down.Featured Guest:Raman Shah – Owner, Raman Shah Data ScienceConnect with Raman on LinkedIn Voices in Local Government Podcast HostsJoe Supervielle and Angelica WedellResourcesLearn more from Raman in his three-part blog series, Software Trouble.ICMA Annual Conference, October 25-29 in Tampa.  

Key Takeaways for Retention and Workplace Wellness:How mental health impacts employee engagement, retention, and workplace culturePractical leadership strategies to create a mentally healthy environmentWhat leaders, managers, and peers can do to support each otherHow local governments can address burnout—and prevent it from driving people away Featured Guest:Adrienne Wise – CEO of Wise Choice Counseling and Consulting Services; trauma-informed care consultant, emotional wellness expert, and global public speaker Voices in Local Government Podcast Hosts:Joe Supervielle and Angelica WedellResources:Mental health services from ICMA affinity partner, Cope Notes.ICMA Annual Conference, October 25-29 in Tampa. With sessions on mental health in the workplace and more. Registration opens June 25.Voices in Local Government: Mental Health Ask Me Anything with Johnny Crowder

Key Takeaways for Financial Resilience and Success: Proven strategies to improve financial resilience in your municipality How city managers and finance directors can best collaborate and work together Tools for long-range planning and adapting to new fiscal challenges Real examples of budget solutions that reflect community priorities Featured Speakers: Justin Marlowe – co-host of Public Money Pod, research professor at the University of Chicago, director of the Center for Municipal Finance Liz Farmer – co-host of Public Money Pod, award-winning journalist, and fiscal policy writer Dave Schmiedicke – finance director, City of Madison, WI; Former Wisconsin state budget director Will Jones – city administrator, Mequon, WI; president, Wisconsin City/County Management Association Whether you’re a city manager, budget officer, or just care about sound fiscal strategy, this episode offers practical tips to help you lead with financial resilience. ResourcesPublic Money Pod by the Center for Municipal FinanceICMA: A Budgeting Guide for Local Government 3-Part Series 

Guest InformationJulia D. Novak, ICMA-CM, CEO and executive director of ICMAHostsJoe Supervielle and Angelica Wedell TopicsWelcome Voices in Local Government's New co-host, Angelica WedellIntroduction and Understanding Change in Local GovernmentStrategies for Effective Change ManagementFostering InnovationThe Role of SupervisorsAdvice for Local Government LeadersResourcesICMA Effective Supervisory Practices Training SeriesGetting to Know Our New CEO/Executive Director, Julia D. Novak, ICMA-CM 

Guest InformationLaura Savage, Senior Program Manager, ICMA TopicsAssistant Chief Administrative Officer (ACAO) Development Series OverviewCareer Progression and Development OpportunitiesSheLeadsGov Virtual Forum InsightsResourcesThe Essential ACAO Development Series: Building Your Path to Leadership ExcellenceSheLeadsGov Virtual Forum | Innovate, Inspire, ImpactEP47 Local Gov Life Advice: Career Moves, Coworkers, and Council

Guest InformationAmanda Hesse, chief revenue officer, LCPtrackerStephanie Ramos, customer success manager, LCPtracker TopicsThe Importance of Workforce Development and the impact on the local economy.Real-World Examples of local government Workforce Initiatives.Steps for Local Government Engagement.Measuring Success.Future Trends.ResourcesWorkforce development program trackerCase Study on the ROI of hiring local

Guest InformationZhikun Liu, Ph.D., CFP®, vice president, head of MissionSquare Research Institute Gerald Young, senior researcher, MissionSquare Research Institute TopicsRetirement Employee investment programsResourcesMissionSquare Research Institute

Guest InformationZhikun Liu, Ph.D., CFP®, vice president, head of MissionSquare Research Institute Gerald Young, senior researcher, MissionSquare Research Institute TopicsPart One:Workforce motivationsSuccession PlanningConcerns over emerging technologiesEmployee Debt, Stress, and Mental Health Then Listen to Part Two: Retirement Employee investment programsResourcesMissionSquare Research Institute

Guest InformationMichael Paulhus, town manager, Plainville, CT. LinkedIn TopicsCrushing the Stigma of Local GovernmentBuilding a Brand for Local GovernmentEmpowering a Creative Social Media TeamEngaging the Community Through ContentMeasuring Success and Overcoming NegativityTools and Strategies for Effective CommunicationThe Role of Government Structure in Community EngagementResourcesSelf-Paced Online Course: Communicating with Elected Officials, Staff, and the MediaFree On-demand Webinar: Improving Trust and Transparency with Better Public CommunicationsSee Plainville's social accounts in action:LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

TopicsFEMA Individual Assistance.FEMA Public Assistance.Cost and reimbursement and documentation.Assign someone on staff as the point to understand FEMA reporting requirements and ensure compliance.Categories of reimbursement and cost share between Federal, state, and local.Policies for overtime pay.The importance of not going it alone.How to take care of yourself and staff.ResourcesICMA Hurricane Response ResourcesFederal Disaster Assistance Leadership Before, During, and After a Crisis

Guest InformationMark Zeigler, Senior Lecturer and Director of First-Year Experience Programs, Florida State UniversityDesiree Casanova, Assistant to the County Administrator, Sarasota Florida Resources from ICMA Learning LabSelf-Paced Online Course: Communicating with Elected Officials, Staff, and the MediaFree On-demand Webinar: Improving Trust and Transparency with Better Public Communications

Guest InformationMark Zeigler, Senior Lecturer and Director of First-Year Experience Programs, Florida State UniversityDesiree Casanova, Assistant to the County Administrator, Sarasota Florida TakeawaysEffective communication requires understanding the past, present, and future of interactions.Empathy is crucial in communication, especially in local government settings.Nonverbal communication can account for a significant portion of the message conveyed.Follow-up communication is essential to show that you value the conversation.Personalized responses can significantly improve public trust in government.Active listening involves not just hearing but understanding the speaker's message.Tailoring communication styles to the audience can enhance understanding and cooperation.Silence can be detrimental; addressing issues directly is important.Building trust takes time and requires consistent, genuine interactions.Stories can be powerful tools to connect with skeptical audiences. ChaptersIntroduction to Effective CommunicationPhilosophical Foundations of CommunicationUnderstanding Roles in CommunicationEmpathy and Active ListeningNonverbal Communication TechniquesThe Power of Follow-Up CommunicationPersonalized Responses in Local GovernmentTailoring Communication StylesResources from ICMA Learning LabSelf-Paced Online Course: Communicating with Elected Officials, Staff, and the MediaFree On-demand Webinar: Improving Trust and Transparency with Better Public Communications

Guest InformationDave O’Reilly, CivicPlus Chief Operating OfficerMike Paciello, AudioEye Chief Accessibility OfficerTakeawaysThe Department of Justice has issued a final ruling on website accessibility, requiring compliance with specific timeframes based on population size and tax income.Local governments need to establish a clear compliance plan, conduct an audit of their digital presence, and prioritize fixing frequently accessed pages.Residents with disabilities should be involved in the feedback process to ensure their needs are met.Building core competency within the organization and vetting vendors with deep domain expertise is crucial for successful implementation.Chapters00:00 Introduction02:44 Compliance Deadlines08:20 The Role of Feedback and Resident Engagement18:49 The Urgency of Compliance22:16 Challenges and Vendor Selection27:43 Ensuring Compliance and Building Competency31:03 Conclusion Resources7 Steps to Meeting the DOJ's New Web Accessibility Ruling 

ChaptersPart ThreeThe successful response at the Texas Allen Outlet Mall shootingBuilding Trust and CoordinationThe Role of City and County ManagersEnsuring Training and ResourcesResourcesALERRT.orgUnitedOnGuns.org for free downloads on the Mass Shooting Playbook plus first 24 hoursTen Essential Actions to Improve School Safety

ChaptersPart TwoLeadership and Chain of CommandCollaboration between Law Enforcement and Fire DepartmentsProtocols and Tabletop ExercisesChallenges and Planning for Response in Rural AreasThe Chain of Survival and Models of ResponseResourcesALERRT.orgUnitedOnGuns.org for free downloads on the Mass Shooting Playbook plus first 24 hoursTen Essential Actions to Improve School Safety

ChaptersPart OneIntroduction and Commitment to Local SolutionsLaw Enforcement Preparedness OverviewChallenges of Box Checking and the Need for Ongoing TrainingTraining Expectations for Law Enforcement OfficersFunding Options and the Role of City ManagersMaking Proper Response a Priority ResourcesALERRT.orgUnitedOnGuns.org for free downloads on the Mass Shooting Playbook plus first 24 hoursTen Essential Actions to Improve School Safety

Warren Hutmacher joins ICMA's Voices in Local Government podcast for a recurring Q/A theme on local gov careers, hiring, and recruiting. Today's topic is what can lose... or keep a great employee doing great work.