Are placemaking efforts at odds with other essential government services when it comes to the budget?  Amanda Mack, city manager for the City of Spencer, Iowa, has an opinion or two on the topic.

In this episode, Jason and Amanda talk city finances, community improvement projects, the balance of power between city staff and elected officials, and much more.  She closes the episode with tips economic developers should know when working with municipal governments.

Amanda's suggested reading list:
Love Where You Live by Peter Kageyama
Water the Bamboo by Greg Bell

More about Amanda
More about Spencer, Iowa