In this episode of Local Government Insights, we sit down with Adrian Brown, Executive Director of the Centre for Public Impact (CPI), to discuss how governments can harness innovation to transform public services and strengthen trust with citizens. With over 20 years of experience in government performance and transformation, Adrian has led efforts to navigate complex challenges through smart governance and strategic long-term thinking. Tune in to hear how governments can reimagine their approach to public service delivery, learn from global best practices, and drive lasting impact in their communities.

In this episode of Local Government Insights, we sit down with Mayor David Parsons of Bartlett, TN, a dedicated public servant with over 20 years of leadership experience. Mayor Parsons shares how Bartlett has embraced community engagement, innovative initiatives like "Hometown Proud," and strategic planning to drive growth, improve quality of life, and attract businesses. Discover how Bartlett is setting an example for communities across the nation. Tune in to learn from Mayor Parsons’ inspiring vision for his hometown and actionable insights for local government leaders everywhere!

In Episode 36 of Local Government Insights, we explore the integration of AI in public administration with three leading voices—Micah Gaudet, Dylan Hayden, and Robert Hiett. Each guest shares unique insights from their books on leveraging AI to modernize government operations, improve efficiency, and enhance citizen services. This episode provides practical strategies for local government leaders to harness the power of AI and drive innovation in their communities.

In this episode, we explore California's ever-evolving Utility User Tax (UUT) landscape. Experts Amy Jenkins, President of Precision Advocacy, Keith DeMartini, Finance Director of Santa Barbara, and Ben Fay, Senior Partner at JarvisFay, discuss legislative updates, legal challenges, and strategies to modernize UUT ordinances. With insights on how cities like Santa Barbara are using audits and digital tools to boost revenue, it's essential listening for city leaders and policymakers focused on financial security.

In this episode, we talk with Michael Huling, Clark County, NV, Sr. County Planner and author of “The Need for Strategic Economic Diversification.” Michael explains why cities should diversify their economies to protect against downturns, comparing it to diversifying investments. We look at past examples of economic monocultures, like the Rust Belt, and highlight cities like Las Vegas and Pittsburgh that successfully turned their economies around.

This week on our podcast, we delve into the evolving landscape of short-term rentals (STRs). We'll discuss the challenges and opportunities these changes present for community leaders, offering strategies and tools for effective STR regulation to ensure a balance between economic benefits and community wellbeing. Join us for expert insights tailored for investors, property owners, and local stakeholders looking to navigate the complexities of STR policies.

In this episode, we explore how Generative AI and ChatGPT can revolutionize local government functions, featuring insights and real-world examples. Our special guests, Vidhu Shekhar, Microsoft Interim SLG Business Strategy Leader, and Micah Gaudet, Deputy City Manager of Maricopa, AZ, join us for an engaging discussion and live demonstration. We delve into key topics, including the automation of document generation for efficiency and personalization, leveraging AI for data analysis and visualization, providing step-by-step guidance on grant applications with ChatGPT, and examining various applications of Generative AI, including Virtual Emergency Operations Centers and Staffing Models.

In today’s episode, we explored the evolving landscape of modern governance and its relationship with technology. We addressed the unique challenges faced by Jury Administrators in the digital age, examined New Mexico's innovative vision for its jury system, and explored cutting-edge technological innovations that are reshaping jury management. Our guest, Adrianna Harris, the New Mexico Statewide Jury Program Manager from the New Mexico State Court, discussed the numerous benefits these advancements bring to both the courts and the public while highlighting valuable lessons from New Mexico's experience in adapting to this tech-powered transformation.

In this episode, we explore the transformative power of artificial intelligence in state and local government operations and services. Our guest, Vidhu Shekhar, a seasoned executive in technology and strategy with a focus on public sector digital transformation, shares insights from his book, "Generative Artificial Intelligence Use Cases in State & Local Governments." Tune in as we discuss how AI is reshaping state and local government. Gain groundbreaking insights, understand the challenges, and discover the boundless opportunities AI brings to the public sector.

Looking to modernize your government leadership and better connect with your community? In this episode, we explore the world of podcasts for local governments with special guest Ramiro Adeva, Assistant City Manager for Agoura Hills, CA. Ramiro shares how his lively podcast series has captured the attention and hearts of his community, and provides tips and tricks for local governments looking to create their own successful podcast. Don't miss out on this must-have communication tool for state and local governments!

In this episode host Brennan Middleton speaks with Tim Casey, a veteran City Manager and author of the book “The Mayor Married Who?, A look at the lighter side of a 40 year career in City Management." Tim shares his experiences and insights on local government, offers strategic advice for those aspiring to become City Managers. The discussion covers a range of topics including Tim's motivation for writing the book, his experiences as an intern in Manhattan Beach, and his advice for aspiring City Managers. Tim also touches on the ICMA's Range Rider program and the common problems cities have been facing in recent years.

Opinion research is a powerful tool often overlooked outside of elections. Learn how opinion research can help form policy decisions in this short podcast featuring Adam Probolsky, an opinion researcher who has worked with local governments across the nation.

Managing a city is filled with complexities regardless of its size…unless you get tips from an expert. This episode features Ronald Olson who shares some of his key takeaways that have helped him successfully be a City Manager for 35 years in over 7 cities of varying sizes, including Corpus Christi, Texas.

On this episode, we are joined by Dr. Leo Feler, an Economist with the UCLA Anderson Forecast for an economic outlook for 2022. Dr. Feler produces the UCLA Anderson Forecast U.S. macroeconomic forecast. He is an accomplished economist who received his Ph.D. in economics from Brown University; his M.A. in international policy from Stanford University; and his B.A. in economics and international relations from Stanford University. His update includes the GDP, inflation, unemployment, manufacturing, housing trends, tourism and more. His insight into markets across the country provides a helpful tool for local governments to understand what these economic indicators mean for them.

Merrett Stierheim started as a government intern and rose to become the Manager of what was the largest Commission/Manager government in the United States, not once but twice. As the County Manager for Miami Dade County he was responsible for running a $6 billion government with 27,000 employees. In this episode, we find out how he did it, what advice he has for those interested in rising in the ranks of local government, and what he sees as the biggest challenges facing anyone today who serves in public administration. This episode includes his encounters with three U.S. Presidents and the Queen of England and much more.

On this episode, we are joined by Robert Pesapane of FEMA. Robert is an Emergency Management professional with over 10 years of state and federal government experience. He currently serves as the Director of the Recovery Division for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) where he is responsible for providing guidance, leadership and oversight to state and local governments in an effort to help them recover from all disasters. He provides valuable insight on what it looks like for a jurisdiction to prepare for, face, and recover from a disaster.

The City of El Paso, TX adjusted its approach to Hotel Tax compliance that resulted in the discovery and recovery of over $3M in additional Occupancy Tax Revenue. Today we’re going to discuss what this journey looked like for El Paso, and key takeaways for other jurisdictions. Edmundo Calderon is the Chief Internal Auditor for El Paso and brings over 29 years of experience as an auditor across diverse industries including financial services, higher education, and local government. Together we discussed: • Current tax levies on hotels in El Paso • The challenges faced, and the process for developing a plan to address them • What additional revenue helped El Paso accomplish • Key takeaways This discussion with Edmundo Calderon was taken from our show Local Government Insights: Modernizing Government Leadership. If you want to hear more episodes like this one, check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. If you don’t use Apple Podcasts or Spotify, you can find every episode here.

Monroe County was established in 1821 and the amount of papers that was accumulating from the span of 200 years was exponential…leading the County to embark on the Paperless Initiative. Today we’re going to discuss what drove thecounty to venture towards this initiative and the steps they’re taking to achieve it. As the County Archivist, Kelly Smith , is responsible for managing the long-term storage and preservation of official records and ensuring that the public has access to them. Together we discussed: · The situation storing 200 years worth of paper. · Top factors to consider when looking for a vendor to help go paperless. · Understanding state record retention rules · Workflow for digitizing a large collection of records · Changes in storing, and retrieving documents. This discussion with Kelly Smith was taken from our show Local Government Insights: Modernizing Government Leadership. If you want to hear more episodes like this one, check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. If you don’t use Apple Podcasts or Spotify, you can find every episode here.

If you work in government in a tourism town, the pandemic was a nightmare come true. But what happens when the tourists don’t stop coming? That’s exactly the situation Jess Knudson, a City Manager from Lake Havasu, AZ, found himself in last year. He joined the show to share how he tackled the issue. We discuss: The initial dropoff and later surge of tourism in Lake Havasu How Jess helped navigate budgeting and allocating resources to tackle the problem The challenge of navigating government financial support in the wake of the pandemic This discussion with Jess Knudson was taken from our show Local Government Insights: Modernizing Government Leadership. If you want to hear more episodes like this one, check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. If you don’t use Apple Podcasts or Spotify, you can find every episode here.

With just over 40,000 residents, Florence is Alabama’s 11th largest city. Home to the University of North Alabama, this vibrant and welcoming town also hosts the state’s most popular renaissance festival, held annually each October. Bob Leyde, beloved City Clerk for the City of Florence, Alabama, is a pillar of the local community as well as a talented and innovative administrator. He wisely utilized Avenu’s vast capabilities to generate up-to-the-minute analytics for more accurate projections of sales tax revenue during the COVID pandemic and increase the efficiency of his administration staff. Here's a sneak peek: Detailed reporting helped Bob overcome budgeting challenges and increase compliance. Accurate and real-time information about current business opportunities and revenue collection is crucial to his decision-making process. Avenu streamlined the city’s tax administration with a laser-focused audit process. Bob encourages leaders of cities of any size to see how Avenu’s technology can optimize operations and maximize revenue generation. Resources from today’s episode: Host Brennan Middleton, Director of Marketing at Avenu Avenu Insights & Analytics This discussion with Bob Leyde was taken from our show, Local Government Insights: Modernizing Government Leadership. If you want to hear more episodes like this one, check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. If you don’t use Apple Podcasts or Spotify, you can find every episode here.