The following is an excerpt from a recent article on WalletHub.com about public spending. Misty Bruckner, director of the Public Policy and Management Center at Wichita State University, was featured in the article.
Q: What are the biggest issues facing city governments today?
Bruckner: There are numerous issues facing city governments today with some unique situations facing specific jurisdictions. In general, financial priorities are always a concern for local governments to address, such as ongoing needs in infrastructure (water, streets, facilities), technology, employee benefits (pensions, health care), and changing needs and expectations of citizens.
Other issues facing city local governments include the need to create partnerships and collaborative endeavors to address complex issues facing communities. Economic growth, educational needs, public safety and service to vulnerable populations cannot be addressed in silos. Public, private and nonprofit sectors have to work together to address these complex issues and how to create and sustain these collaborative efforts is critical to the future of cities.
Building trust and improving engagement with residents is also an ongoing challenge for local governments. Finally, recruiting, developing and retaining a talented workforce is another critical issue facing city governments.
Q: How have city finances fared through the recession and economic recovery?
Bruckner: City finances are connected to regional economies and often reflect the economic conditions of the area. In addition, long-term planning, stewardship of resources and governing financial policies, all impact how local governments recovered.
Q: What are some best practices for effectively and efficiently managing cities?
Bruckner: Ensuring priorities for the city are clearly established and supported is an important aspect of managing cities. Professional staff to manage assets, budgets, programs, and respond to residents is another critical component of highly functioning communities. Lastly, strong relations between the elected officials and management team create the best opportunities to effectively and efficiently manage local governments.
Q: What makes some cities better run than others?
Bruckner: There is research that indicates that cities with professional management are typically better ran then those without professional management. Recruiting and continuing to develop a talented workforce coincides with high performing governments. Strong working relationships with elected leaders, business community leaders and nonprofit leaders also ensure a better ran city.
Q: How can residents know whether their tax dollars are being used wisely by local authorities?
Bruckner: Nothing can replace involvement and an engaged citizenry to understand the issues, the priorities and the how funds are spent.