Municipal Finance

Overview

Municipal Finance

Cities, Counties and Schools Work Together to Stretch Community Dollars

A newly updated online resource provides a framework for implementing partnerships.

Article Executive Director's Message Chris McKenzie

Those Pesky Elephants in the Room

A number of “elephants” lurk in city halls statewide.

Article Legal Notes Trevor RusinAndrea Visveshwara

Home Sharing in the New Economy

Online hosting platforms make it easy to rent a home or room for short periods of time. Cities’ traditional regulatory tools allow communities to address short-term rentals and their potential…

Article Executive Director's Message Chris McKenzie

The Rise of City Leadership in an Age of Dwindling Discretionary Federal Resources

The new federal landscape will require innovative leadership from city officials and other civic leaders.

Article Features Nancy Kerry

Reducing Unfunded Liabilities for Other Post-Employment Benefits

Learn how one city reduced its liability by 73 percent.

Article City Forum Dan Carrigg

Prospects for Community Economic Development Are Finally Looking Up

Two new tools and positive developments on the legislative front are welcome news for cities.

Article President’s Message Stephany Aguilar

Beyond Books: Leveraging Resources for Library Programs

An International City/County Management Association report, Maximize the Potential of Your Public Library: A Report on the Innovative Ways Public Libraries Are Addressing Community Priorities,…

Article Features Rich Gordon

Property Tax Postponement Program Helps Seniors and People With Disabilities Remain in Their Homes

Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation in September 2014 bringing a successful property tax postponement program back to communities throughout California. Assembly Bill (AB) 2231 (Chapter 703,…

Article President’s Message Stephany Aguilar

Grappling With the Challenges of Transportation Infrastructure Financing

California’s local streets and roads network is currently funded through a variety of sources including the state gas tax, federal transportation funds, local tax and bond measures, and…

Article City Forum Eva Spiegel

New Study Reveals Nearly $7.3 Billion Needed Annually to Make Streets and Roads Safe

In 10 years it is expected that, without greater investment, 25 percent of local streets and roads will be ranked “poor” — compared with 6 percent today. The local system will have an…

Article Executive Director's Message Chris McKenzie

League Sets 2015 Strategic Direction in Leadership Workshop

A senior leadership meeting of city officials from throughout the state used a dynamic, inclusive goalsetting process that built on the success of prior years and charted some new directions…

Article Features Dan Carrigg

2014 Legislative Year in Review

League actions in 2014 included sponsoring and supporting legislation on infrastructure, economic development and the redevelopment dissolution process. Other efforts focused on improving the…

Article Features Lea Deesing

Electronic Transparency and Open Data: A Movement Worth Joining

Taking information that local agencies already have and making it open to the public reduces in-house costs and builds efficiencies for both staff and constituents. In the past the public…

Article Executive Director's Message Chris McKenzie

The Fiscal Challenges Ahead for Cities

With three major municipal bankruptcies in California cities in recent years, it is clear that the risks of overcommitting a city to long-term liabilities are not just theoretical — they are…

Article Features Michael Coleman

League Provides Municipal Financial Health Diagnostic Tool

California’s economy is improving, and local revenues are picking up. But fiscal challenges remain, especially in the area of escalating costs. More cities are heading into financial peril….

Article City Forum Norman Coppinger

CalTRUST Offers a Safe, Convenient Investment Pool for Local Agencies

Organized as a joint powers authority, CalTRUST offers short-term, medium-term and money market accounts. These accounts provide easy, safe and reliable options for public agencies.