Key Takeaways for Financial Resilience and Success: 

Proven strategies to improve financial resilience in your municipality 

How city managers and finance directors can best collaborate and work together 

Tools for long-range planning and adapting to new fiscal challenges 

Real examples of budget solutions that reflect community priorities 

Featured Speakers: 

Justin Marlowe – co-host of Public Money Pod, research professor at the University of Chicago, director of the Center for Municipal Finance 

Liz Farmer – co-host of Public Money Pod, award-winning journalist, and fiscal policy writer 

Dave Schmiedicke – finance director, City of Madison, WI; Former Wisconsin state budget director 

Will Jones – city administrator, Mequon, WI; president, Wisconsin City/County Management Association 

Whether you’re a city manager, budget officer, or just care about sound fiscal strategy, this episode offers practical tips to help you lead with financial resilience. 

Resources

Public Money Pod by the Center for Municipal Finance

ICMA: A Budgeting Guide for Local Government 3-Part Series

Julia D. Novak, ICMA-CM, CEO and executive director of ICMA

Joe Supervielle and Angelica Wedell
 

Welcome Voices in Local Government's New co-host, Angelica Wedell

Introduction and Understanding Change in Local Government

Strategies for Effective Change Management

Fostering Innovation

The Role of Supervisors

Advice for Local Government Leaders

Resources

ICMA Effective Supervisory Practices Training Series

Getting to Know Our New CEO/Executive Director, Julia D. Novak, ICMA-CM

Guest Information

Laura Savage, Senior Program Manager, ICMA
 

Topics

Assistant Chief Administrative Officer (ACAO) Development Series Overview

Career Progression and Development Opportunities

SheLeadsGov Virtual Forum Insights

Resources

The Essential ACAO Development Series: Building Your Path to Leadership Excellence

SheLeadsGov Virtual Forum | Innovate, Inspire, Impact

EP47 Local Gov Life Advice: Career Moves, Coworkers, and Council

Amanda Hesse, chief revenue officer, LCPtracker

Stephanie Ramos, customer success manager, LCPtracker
 

The Importance of Workforce Development and the impact on the local economy.

Real-World Examples of local government Workforce Initiatives.

Steps for Local Government Engagement.

Measuring Success.

Future Trends.

Resources

Workforce development program tracker

Case Study on the ROI of hiring local

Zhikun Liu, Ph.D., CFP®, vice president, head of MissionSquare Research Institute

 Gerald Young, senior researcher, MissionSquare Research Institute
 

Retirement 
Employee investment programs

Resources

MissionSquare Research Institute

Zhikun Liu, Ph.D., CFP®, vice president, head of MissionSquare Research Institute

 Gerald Young, senior researcher, MissionSquare Research Institute
 

Part One:

Workforce motivations
Succession Planning
Concerns over emerging technologies
Employee Debt, Stress, and Mental Health
 

Then Listen to Part Two: 

Retirement 
Employee investment programs

Resources

MissionSquare Research Institute

Michael Paulhus, town manager, Plainville, CT. LinkedIn
 

Crushing the Stigma of Local Government

Building a Brand for Local Government

Empowering a Creative Social Media Team

Engaging the Community Through Content

Measuring Success and Overcoming Negativity

Tools and Strategies for Effective Communication

The Role of Government Structure in Community Engagement

Resources

Self-Paced Online Course: Communicating with Elected Officials, Staff, and the Media

Free On-demand Webinar: Improving Trust and Transparency with Better Public Communications

See Plainville's social accounts in action:

LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

FEMA Individual Assistance.

FEMA Public Assistance.

Cost and reimbursement and documentation.

Assign someone on staff as the point to understand FEMA reporting requirements and ensure compliance.

Categories of reimbursement and cost share between Federal, state, and local.

Policies for overtime pay.

The importance of not going it alone.

How to take care of yourself and staff.

Resources

ICMA Hurricane Response Resources

Federal Disaster Assistance 

Leadership Before, During, and After a Crisis

Mark Zeigler, Senior Lecturer and Director of First-Year Experience Programs, Florida State University

Desiree Casanova, Assistant to the County Administrator, Sarasota Florida

Resources from ICMA Learning Lab

Self-Paced Online Course: Communicating with Elected Officials, Staff, and the Media

Free On-demand Webinar: Improving Trust and Transparency with Better Public Communications

Mark Zeigler, Senior Lecturer and Director of First-Year Experience Programs, Florida State University

Desiree Casanova, Assistant to the County Administrator, Sarasota Florida
 

• Effective communication requires understanding the past, present, and future of interactions.
• Empathy is crucial in communication, especially in local government settings.
• Nonverbal communication can account for a significant portion of the message conveyed.
• Follow-up communication is essential to show that you value the conversation.
• Personalized responses can significantly improve public trust in government.
• Active listening involves not just hearing but understanding the speaker's message.
• Tailoring communication styles to the audience can enhance understanding and cooperation.
• Silence can be detrimental; addressing issues directly is important.
• Building trust takes time and requires consistent, genuine interactions.
• Stories can be powerful tools to connect with skeptical audiences.
   

Chapters

Introduction to Effective Communication

Philosophical Foundations of Communication

Understanding Roles in Communication

Empathy and Active Listening

Nonverbal Communication Techniques

The Power of Follow-Up Communication

Personalized Responses in Local Government

Tailoring Communication Styles

Resources from ICMA Learning Lab

Self-Paced Online Course: Communicating with Elected Officials, Staff, and the Media

Free On-demand Webinar: Improving Trust and Transparency with Better Public Communications