TECH UPDATES: Digital Tools for City/County Communications
By Marc Pfeiffer (Published October 1, 2025 at ICMA.org)| Center for Urban Policy Research - CUPR
Elias witnessed 12 arrests targeting suspected immigrants and, according to the complaint, began marching the perimeter of the Ambridge police station holding a homemade sign that read “No Justice, No Peace” and chanting “Shame!” The post Lawsuit: Ambridge police unlawfully arrested protesters observing ICE-involved patrol appeared first on Pittsburgh's Public Source. PublicSource is a nonprofit news organization serving the Pittsburgh region. Visit www.publicsource.org to read more.| Pittsburgh's Public Source
In this collaboration, Pittsburgh City Paper brought its reporting and visuals, while Pittsburgh’s Public Source ensured accuracy through in-depth fact-checking. From critical judicial elections at the top of the ballot down to contested races within the City of Pittsburgh, 2025 general election voters will have a major say in how the next decade looks in […] The post Election guide 2025: Who’s on the ballot in Pittsburgh & Allegheny County? See this easy-to-use guide. appeared first on...| Pittsburgh's Public Source
Rezoning efforts in Hazelwood face new delays amid threats of legal action and concerns of insufficient notice granted to the railroad and other business interests. Allegheny Valley Railroad and CSX — the latter of which owns most of the roughly 233 acres covered by the proposed rezoning — joined other industry players in persuading Pittsburgh’s […] The post Planning Commission delays Hazelwood zoning change again as railroads threaten legal action appeared first on Pittsburgh's...| Pittsburgh's Public Source
Allegheny County will avoid a second year of property tax hikes, but that requires trimming $15 million in administrative expenses to balance the budget, officials said Tuesday. “We are in this moment where we are trying to do more with less,” County Executive Sara Innamorato said as she released her 2026 budget proposal. “We are […] The post No tax increase, but Allegheny County may cut costs to offset tariffs and inflation appeared first on Pittsburgh's Public Source. PublicSource i...| Pittsburgh's Public Source
By Marc Pfeiffer (Published October 1, 2025 at ICMA.org)| Center for Urban Policy Research - CUPR
The 21-year-old spoke at Birchman Baptist Church to share her experience as a teenager who identified as a transgender male but now identifies as a woman.| Fort Worth Report
Tarrant County officials and others met with frustrated residents Monday about the future of the congested Bonds Ranch corridor.| Fort Worth Report
The Dallas Stars have already had initial talks with Arlington city leaders about moving to new ice in the entertainment district, according to city leaders.| Fort Worth Report
Plaintiffs requested a temporary injunction to block the new map from going into effect. The judge declined.| Fort Worth Report
It's taken two years and the Tasmanian government has already ruled out forced amalgamations, but an extensive local government review identifies 12 councils suitable to merge.| www.abc.net.au
Preliminary election results show 85% of voters supporting the Sept. 30 recall of Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. But legal challenges loom that could get the election results thrown out. The post Voters have recalled Frank White. Will that hold up in court? appeared first on The Beacon.| The Beacon
Phil LeVota, DaRon McGee and Dan Tarwater are the three biggest names being quietly discussed to potentially replace Frank White Jr. if he’s recalled. Here’s how the process would work. The post Some Jackson County officials don’t want you to know who might replace Frank White. We found out anyway appeared first on The Beacon.| The Beacon
Neil Sands Local Government NZ (LGNZ) President Sam Broughton admits there’s a “popular vibe” against councils at the moment, particularly on the issue of soaring rates bills, but he’s urging voters to think long-term and look beyond sloganeering in this year’s local elections. “Are we just going to have a race that looks at who’s going to provide the lowest rates? It’s not as simple as that,” Broughton told LawNews. “We’re in 2025, and it’s decisions made in 1980 and ...| Law News
Canterbury’s milked dairy herd could increase by more than 18,000 cows – some in areas where water quality is already poor The post Thousands more cows: Why they’re allowed and where they’ll go appeared first on Newsroom.| Newsroom
When Govt raised the bar for pay equity deals, it criticised the 'far-fetched’ comparison of librarians with fisheries officers. Librarians have had a win anyway. The post Much-derided librarians win pay deal beyond coalition’s law appeared first on Newsroom.| Newsroom
Director confirms no construction before 2027 as councillors attack “bureaucratic hurdles” MILFORD HAVEN’S long-awaited schools redevelopment has come under fire again, with councillors branding Welsh Government’s bureaucracy “Monty Python writ large” and delays “absolutely scandalous.” At Thursday’s (Sept 25) meeting of the Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Pembrokeshire’s Director of Education Steven Richards-Downes […]| The Pembrokeshire Herald
Building understanding of software markets in local government from the Local Digital team: We’ve also identified through roundtable discussions and feedback from partners that managing effective procurements and successfully exiting technology contracts is a challenge, particularly where internal capacity or capability is limited. With local government reorganisation, new unitary authorities will need to consolidate systems, ... Keep reading| Dave Briggs
This is the content of the ‘article’ element of the email newsletter I sent last week. Publishing here for posterity. 2025 has been a pretty tumultuous year in local government digital, largely due to the impact of the Localism bill in late 2024 and the imminent (and indeed immanent) prospect of local government reorganisation. Following ... Keep reading| Dave Briggs
No local government employee or official is more familiar with the litigation process (and its toll) than the local government lawyer, whose role is to counsel and advocate on behalf of the local government unit. A sampling of municipal and … Read more The post Court Is in Session: Advice about Litigation from Local Government Lawyers appeared first on Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law.| Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law
Litigation is the process of resolving legal disputes through the court system. Litigation can be complex, burdensome, expensive, time-consuming, and stressful. A single lawsuit can take years to resolve and cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. But … Read more The post New Resource Available: “A Civil Litigation Guide for Non-Attorneys in Local Government” appeared first on Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law.| Coates’ Canons NC Local Government Law
Only about 7% of eligible former homeowners have successfully filed claims, with the deadline just days away. Outlier Media · Koby Levin · Wayne County is ‘no help at all’ to Detroiters claiming auction profits| Outlier Media
The reforms being planned for Hertfordshire councils, how they will affect you, and how you can have your say The post Local government reform in Hertfordshire – what to know first appeared on East Anglia Bylines.| East Anglia Bylines
As Durham prepares for the city’s annual Pride parade on Sept. 27, an official commemoration of the very first gay rights march in the state… The post New historic marker: How a deadly attack spurred NC’s first Pride march — in Durham appeared first on 9th Street Journal.| 9th Street Journal
“What’s the pushback tonight?” Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams asked Mayor Pro Tempore Mark-Anthony Middleton, as they got into an elevator before a City Council meeting… The post Durham Mayor Leo Williams finds that winning was easy; governing is harder appeared first on 9th Street Journal.| 9th Street Journal
Instead of traditional profiles, we decided to use a short video format to learn about the Ward 1 candidates for City Council. We invited the… The post We gave Ward 1 candidates 30 seconds to answer this question appeared first on 9th Street Journal.| 9th Street Journal
Some things you can just see coming. In his latest article, Gordon Graham discusses avoidable risks for vacationers.| Lexipol
Parker County’s rapid growth is leading to the need for a bigger jail and new courthouse.| Fort Worth Report
The post How Charleston County Transformed Community Engagement in Rezoning appeared first on PublicInput.| PublicInput
For the eighth year in a row, Lenexa City Council approved a budget that includes decreasing its mill levy.| Johnson County Post
The Tasmanian government has announced plans to “reform” Tasmanian local government by slashing the number of councillors across the state. The government has put up a discussion paper …| The Tally Room
“Britain has a social care crisis,” says the headline above Wes Streeting’s latest piece in the Guardian. “Here’s how Labour plans to fix it.” And how does Labour plan to fix it? Why, by “announcing an independent commission on building a National Care Service” of course. Crossbench peer Louise Casey has agreed to chair the […]| The Policy Sketchbook
We are two months in and, as far as NHS reform goes, the new government is still in a stage of political positioning and information gathering. Lord Darzi’s report, published yesterday, tells us that the NHS is in a bad state. Everything is worse than it was in 2010: waiting lists have soared, cancer outcomes […]| The Policy Sketchbook
Join me for a light-hearted hour of sharing challenges, ideas, and experience about innovating in local public services. Localise Live! takes place on the last Thursday of every month at 12pm until 1pm and is open to public sector people only. The sessions take place on Zoom, so make sure you have it downloaded and up ... Keep reading| Dave Briggs
Latrice Thomas was removed from her position on the Raytown Board of Aldermen after an investigation of her taxes. Two months later, the city still has not publicly addressed her removal.| Beacon: Kansas City
The CCPD’s most significant percentage increase, aside from interest income, is school resource office reimbursements.| Fort Worth Report
NEYLAND TOWN COUNCIL has become the ninth council in Pembrokeshire to adopt the Anti-Racist Action Plan (ARAP), but the move comes against the backdrop of turmoil and resignations that have left its chamber looking sparse. Councillor Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner, the Deputy Mayor of Haverfordwest Town Council, attended the meeting in Neyland this week to explain […]| pembrokeshire-herald.com
Analysis: Soaring airfares and cancelled routes have forced Govt to offer small aviation companies $30m in loans – just don't call it a bailout, ministers say| Newsroom
A CALL to allow a service hatch at a Pembroke diner to serve alcohol as late as 5am at weekends, which has raised concerns raised it will lead to an increase in drunken behaviour, is to be heard by councillors. The September meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s licensing sub-committee will consider an application for a […]| pembrokeshire-herald.com
In new research in collaboration with the University of Sussex, we make a series of urgent recommendations for making council finances less opaque during this time of critical challenge and upheaval in local government. | Research for Action
Mon Valley and Pittsburgh residents concerned after US Steel coke works blast, while Allegheny County reports no air quality spikes.| Pittsburgh's Public Source
"Most government boards in South Dakota are comprised of citizens who volunteer their time and energy to serve in a public role," writes David Bordewyk, executive director, SD NewsMedia Association.| Mitchell Republic
Since our last article, criticism of the proposed transfer of the Ford Idaho Center (FIC) to the College of Western Idaho (CWI) has escalated monumentally. Nampans are speaking out to express their disapproval — and they are not being quiet about it. At the August 11, 2025, “listening” town hall| Idaho Freedom
Texas Democrat U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, of Fort Worth, praised Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to counter Texas GOP's redistricting effort with his own in California.| Fort Worth Report
The sighting was first reported to the National Biodiversity Data Centre by a member of a public. A single Asian hornet has been captured.| Silicon Republic
The Weld County Board of Commissioners approved the new redistricting map, known as the Poudre Map, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. This map outlines the boundary lines for commissioners’ districts in Weld County through 2032, according to a news release on August 6. “We appreciate everyone who was involved in this process,” said Commissioner Chair […] The post Weld County and the Residents Approve New Redistricting Map appeared first on Colorado Community Media.| Colorado Community Media
The North Metro Fire Rescue District is considering raising its fees by 30% for engineering services, including plan review, permitting and inspection activities. District officials say one of the primary roles of North Metro Fire’s Prevention Division is to provide engineering services, which include plan review, permitting and inspection services directly associated with new development […] The post North Metro Fire considers boosting plan review fees appeared first on Colorado Communit...| Colorado Community Media
On Aug. 5, people across the United States simultaneously gathered in their neighborhoods or city parks to meet police officers, firefighters and other public safety workers in a relaxed environment. But, as always, the annual Golden Night in the Park was a little bit special. The event, also called National Night Out, always takes place […]| Golden Transcript
Community members can meet the three finalists for Fort Worth’s top cop at a meet-and-greet Aug. 14.| Fort Worth Report
Texas A&M Research and Innovation Building’s construction could begin next year.| Fort Worth Report
In what may well be the most extraordinary act of unsolicited civic generosity on this side of the Treasure Valley, Nampa Mayor Debbie Kling and the Nampa City Council are contemplating the “conveyance” of the Ford Idaho Center (FIC) to the College of Western Idaho (CWI) — no appraisal, no payment,| Idaho Freedom
Kids should not have to be subjected to sexually and politically charged flags and banners in their junior and senior high school classrooms. They should not be punished for expressing support for traditional family values in school assignments, and they certainly should not have their trauma-induced gender dysphoria “affirmed” by teachers and school administrators. As […]| Idaho Freedom
Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration says billions in aid to Pennsylvania schools and human services will be delayed, as he and legislators struggle to end their month-long budget stalemate.| Pittsburgh's Public Source
The Stakes for Law Enforcement Have Never Been Higher In an era of evolving public expectations, heightened scrutiny, and complex societal challenges, U.S. law enforcement agencies must prioritize strategic investments in officer development to elevate the quality of policing. Officers are expected to manage mental health crises, de-escalate high-stakes situations, and build trust within diverse […] The post Building Trust, Reducing Risk: Why Comprehensive Training Plans Are the Key to Mode...| AchieveIt
Government agencies are built to serve the public good, but doing so effectively requires more than just strategy and resources. It requires accountability. Without it, even the most visionary plans and well-funded initiatives can drift off course, bogged down by delays, misalignment, and missed objectives. Accountability in government isn’t just about identifying who’s responsible when […] The post Building a Culture of Accountability in Government appeared first on AchieveIt.| AchieveIt
By Marc Pfeiffer (Published August 1, 2025 at ICMA.org)| Center for Urban Policy Research - CUPR
Overland Park had to opt out of an "outdated" state law in order to continue using its full bond authority on public projects| Johnson County Post
Mayor Tim Kelly held one-on-one office hours to connect with Chattanooga residents and hear their concerns.| WDEF
“What happens when community members, city officials and goats come together?” This isn’t the start of a riddle or punchy joke. It’s a question asked… The post Reclaiming the city’s ‘paper streets’ — with some help from goats appeared first on 9th Street Journal.| 9th Street Journal
Johnson County will delay the Public Safety Sales Tax renewal election after KS Attorney General Kobach’s opinion called it “unlawful.”| Johnson County Post
15 July 2025 In a surprise announcement, the English Devolution & Community Empowerment Bill, published last week, outlined the government’s plans for the Local Audit Office. The government had previously promised to fix the local audit crisis and consulted on a range of ways of doing this, but now some of these measures do not feature in the devolution legislation. The creation of the Local Audit Office (LAO) marks a significant change in the local audit regime. Since the abolition of th...| Research for Action
As the UK Government sets out to reform the local government sector again, this is a clear guide to the mess that English councils currently find themselves in. It focuses on how the government is intervening in failing authorities. In our guide you will find a breakdown of how councils are supposed to function, how they got into this crisis, how the government is currently intervening, and tips for getting more involved yourself.| Research for Action
Members asked city administration to search for alternative locations where the sound quality is better and move forward with a plan to replace the current audio infrastructure in City Hall.| KTOO
Watch how the Register and Recorder of Lawrence County reflects on the county’s evolution from paper-heavy processes to cutting-edge digital solutions—highlighting a strong partnership with GovOS and a commitment to serving constituents more efficiently.| GovOS
In today’s digital era, data is everywhere. State and local governments are able to collect more information than ever before—about infrastructure, community needs, budgets, staffing, service delivery, and beyond. Public leaders are investing in dashboards, performance scorecards, surveys, and sophisticated analytics tools. Yet despite this explosion in access to information, many agencies continue to struggle […] The post Data Doesn’t Drive Change — Execution Does appeared first on...| AchieveIt
Allegheny County reinstated an advisory board to guide management of Highland Detention at Shuman Center, operated by private contractor Adelphoi.| Pittsburgh's Public Source
Douglas County residents flooded a July 8 Board of Commissioners meeting to ask for apologies from Commissioner George Teal, following his suggestion that opposition to the county’s failed home rule initiative might have been backed by the Chinese Communist Party. During a KNUS radio interview ahead of the June home rule special election, Teal said […]| Douglas County News Press
Gene Walker is a leading supporter of consolidation plans for Pittsburgh Public Schools. Mentoring and hard truths shaped his vision.| Pittsburgh's Public Source
Work to strengthen community engagement as part of Surrey’s Local Government Reorganisation is getting underway, with three areas named to pilot ‘Neighbourhood Area Committees’. Councils…| Surrey News
Discover how Lawrence County, PA has transformed its records office—from manual microfilm and paper books to efficient, accessible eRecording—improving turnaround times, reducing in-person traffic, and enhancing public access to vital documents.| GovOS
The County has embraced eRecording to streamline document processing, accelerate turnaround times, and deliver faster, more efficient service through secure digital submissions. The post Lawrence County, PA Sets the Standard for eRecording Innovation appeared first on GovOS.| GovOS
19 total officials and local governments were recognized for serving their communities. The City of Scranton was also awarded with the 2024 ‘Secretary’s Award for Municipal Excellence’ from DCED. Harrisburg, […]| PA Department of Community & Economic Development
In a nutshell: During the past decade, there has been a flurry of local property tax rate increases, especially in those communities with historically high tax burdens. The Citizens Research Council has documented how Michigan’s local governments’ heavy reliance on property taxes has challenged their ability to sustain revenues given Michigan’s constitutional and statutory property […]| Citizens Research Council of Michigan
Watch how Lawrence County is redefining public service with modern self-service tools making it easier than ever for constituents to access vital services.| GovOS
In the post-industrial north, a town searches for a sense of belonging.| New Statesman
These walkable cities offer easy access to amenities, public transit, and green spaces—all without needing a vehicle. Explore them here, along with their environmental and health benefits. The post The Best Cities for Living Without a Car appeared first on Zero Energy Project.| Zero Energy Project
In my town, a surefire way to make everyone mad at you is to suggest that we consider merging with the much larger town that completely surrounds us. But I can’t resist.| Never Down, Always Up
Michigan road agencies prioritize costly fixes over low-cost maintenance. The post Is Michigan Getting the Most Out of Its Road Funding? A Closer Look at the Data appeared first on Citizens Research Council of Michigan.| Citizens Research Council of Michigan
The tax cap in New Jersey has kept annual increases relatively low, but also so low that they have not reflected the natural growth of communities and costs, said Pfeiffer, of the Bloustein School at Rutgers University.| Center for Urban Policy Research – CUPR
Like roads and utilities, the collection and analysis of data have become vital tools that enable municipalities to tailor services to their residents. But what does this mean for you and your community? This guide will help you understand how to use information to serve your community better.| Center for Urban Policy Research – CUPR
Essex County Council's Essex Digital Service| Essex Digital Service
Photo supplied from Hackney Council Planning Committee, Ed Sheridan of Hackney Citizen 2018 The Planning Advisory Service (PAS) has recently completed what we think is the biggest survey ever carri…| Planning Advisory Service
New analysis by the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) and The Women’s Budget Group (WBG) has found that the barriers to paid work encountered by women means that £88.7bn GVA is lost to the economy in England, Scotland and Wales annually – equivalent to the contribution of the entire financial services sector in the UK.| CLES
Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC 6A) met via Zoom on Feb. 13. Commissioners Paul Spires (6A01, Vice-Chair), Mike Velasquez (6A02), Roberta Shapiro (6A03, treasurer), Amber Gove (6A04, Vice Chair/| HillRag
This is an edited version of FJ’s speech at the opening panel at the municipalist summit Fearless Cities, which took place 2-3 November 2024 in Sheffield. The summit, which we co-organised with Opus Independents, Citizen Network, Care Full and Steve Rushton, aimed to consolidate a movement in Britain for claiming community assets, building communities and […]| Research for Action
In a Nutshell: Paying for Local Community Services The nearly $19 billion in property taxes collected each year funds Michigan’s essential local government services and public schools. And these taxes continue to rise. Since 2013, statewide property taxes have risen an average of four percent year over year. From 2021 to 2022, statewide property tax […]| Citizens Research Council of Michigan
In a Nutshell Michigan House Minority Leader and Speaker-Elect Matt Hall put a jolt into Michigan’s typically quiet November legislative recess with a major new proposal to reallocate revenue to address the state’s crumbling road infrastructure. The proposal seeks to dedicate over $2.7 billion in annual revenue for road repairs without a tax increase by […]| Citizens Research Council of Michigan
In a Nutshell: Michigan’s counties, cities, villages, and townships are breathing a sigh of relief with the passage of next year’s state budget. In Fiscal Year 2025 (FY2025 runs October 2024-September 2025), revenue sharing payments – the sum of those obliged by the state constitution and those approved in the state budget – will increase […]| Citizens Research Council of Michigan
Davison County voters have resoundingly turned back a plan to merge the auditor and treasurer offices in the county government.| Mitchell Republic
Mitchell’s newest planned restaurant received approval this week to get a liquor license from Davison County to move ahead with its plans for a fine dining location along the State Highway 37 bypass.| Mitchell Republic
How Berks County's advanced public search system enables comprehensive document searches, remote work flexibility, and uninterrupted service.| GovOS
Learn how Berks County digitized all their records to centralize and secure historical documents while protecting against potential disasters.| GovOS
In an era marked by dynamic societal shifts, urbanisation and evolving community needs, the concept of a vibrant place can be a crucial element in shaping the fabric of our country. Investing in and advocating for them can enable us to lay the groundwork for a sustainable and prosperous future. For the current government, economic […]| Briefing
Protected Sites Strategies (PSS) ‘the next big thing’ to come out of the Environment Act 2021? We discuss how the thinking & approach are developing ahead of the guidance & what part local authorities can play.| Planning Advisory Service
Bundles of empty bags will be available at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library Saturday through Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.| KTOO
In a Nutshell: During the 2023-24 legislative session, Michigan’s local government representatives have been advocating to secure annual state discretionary funding for payments to counties, cities, townships, and villages in a new Revenue Sharing Trust Fund. Cities, villages, and townships are guaranteed a portion of the state’s annual sales tax revenue. And while not consistently, […]| Citizens Research Council of Michigan
This video highlights Dauphin County's commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in public service.| GovOS
A bipartisan group of more than 350 mayors has committed to ambitious targets for fleet electrification and charging infrastructure.| Governing
The Local Government Pensions Scheme invests over £4.4bn in companies complicit in Israeli war crimes. PSC have called a Divest for Palestine day of action on 31 August.| Labour Outlook - Amplifying socialist voices, supporting frontline struggles,...
New collaboration will help government agencies achieve more effective and inclusive community engagement and enhance decision-making.| PublicInput
