In the summer of 2009, NLC conducted a survey of municipal officials, both elected and managerial, to find out more about their views, attitudes and local practices in public engagement. The results are detailed in this report, “Making Local Democracy Work: Municipal Officials Views About Public Engagement.”

The survey yielded a wealth of information about the ways city officials understand and approach public engagement. In addition, the authors, NLC staff members William Barnes and Bonnie Mann, offer their insights and propose questions for further research.