Understanding the Basics of Local Agency Decision-Making
Do you sometimes wish there were an easy way to explain how decision-making occurs at the local level? Such nuts and bolts are the subject of Understanding the Basics of Local Agency Decision-Making. The publication was produced with generous support from the Liebert Cassidy Whitmore law firm.
Designed to assist newly-elected officials, newly-hired staff, the media, citizens academies, community groups and others, this guide's goal is to provide a plain-language overview of how local government decision-making works. It addresses the key questions about local agency decision-making processes, such as:
- The Unique Aspects of Public Agency Decision-Making, including what makes the public agency decision-making different from private sector decision-making and how decision-makers and the public determine what course of action best serves the interests of the community.
- Who Does What, including the similarities and differences in the roles cities, counties and special district play in enacting policies and providing public services, the division of authority between federal, state, regional, and local agencies, who are the key decision-makers in local government, and what role staff plays.
- How are Decisions Made, including the unique rules that govern public agency decision-making, when public officials must step aside from the decision-making process, and the distinction between legislative and quasi-judicial acts.
- Special Issues, including such issues as the benefits of collaboration among local agencies, local agency advocacy efforts, and professional public agency management; the guide also explains what "charter" entities are.
This guide provides a starting place for those who want to understand more about local government and its decision-making processes. For that reason, the guide also includes a long list of resources for further information.
A Spanish version is available for free download.
We welcome your comments and suggestions on this publication.
ORDERING INFORMATION:
The Institute makes this publication available several ways:
- In electronic form on an honor system for individual use by local officials, the media and the public.
- In electronic form for download and distribution to others for a modest fee--see fee structure below (License Order Form)
- In hardcopy form: to purchase hardcopies, please fill out and either fax or mail the order form along with payment. (Hardcopy Order Form)
All proceeds support the development of additional materials to serve local officials and others. The Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
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