New & NoteworthyNew Municipal Web Sites, Features, Trends and Recent Discoveries
January-March 2006
San Francisco Earthquake - 100 Years Later
In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of “The Great San Francisco Earthquake” - on April 18, 1906 - the U.S. Census Bureau has published a special report comparing the changes in the city’s demographics.... Continue
“Live Help” Enhances Customer Service Orientation of State Web Site
In an effort to help online visitors increase the ease and efficiency in using its web site, the state of Colorado recently introduced a “live help” feature. Visitors to the site can have an online conversation with a state employee who functions, in many ways, like a customer service representative.... Continue
Health Care Mapping Site Can Zero in on Hospital Market Area
HRSA provides an interactive search tool that provides geographic data for a hospital or clinic market service area. Users can customize a search for a state, county, or metro area to view data on healthcare systems, demographics, federal programs and infrastructure.... Continue
Flagler County Leads the Nation in Population Growth
According to new U.S. Census Bureau estimates released today, nine of the ten fastest growing counties between 2004 and 2005 are located in the South or West regions of the country. For the second year in a row, Flagler County, Florida claimed the number one spot in the ranking, which compares annual percentage gains in population.... Continue
Indiana Toll Road on Verge of Going Private
Indiana is in the final stages of considering the privatization of the Indiana Toll Road. The privatization of public infrastructure is emerging as a trend in many parts of the country.... Continue
Sunshine Week Promotes Open Government
Greater citizen access to government information is the theme of Sunshine Week, which will take place the week of March 12-18. The Sunshine Week web site includes “Bright Ideas” - examples of articles, ads, and more designed to promote openness in government.... Continue
Philadelphia Set to Become Nation’s Largest Wi-Fi Hotspot
After signing an agreement with Earthlink, Philadelphia will begin to move forward with its plans to provide wireless Internet access throughout the city. This will make Philadelphia the host of the largest citywide wireless - or wi-fi - network in the country to date. Other cities developing or considering similar plans are Chicago, San Francisco and Tempe.... Continue
Stressbusters Galore - and More! FMC Offers Valuable Lifestyle Management Tips
Lowering stress levels, sleeping better, and exercising are just a few of the wellness topics covered in Fairfield Medical Center’s (Lancaster, Ohio) self-improvment materials. Fairfield’s “Take Five” section on stress reduction offers more than 40 specific tips on how to relax, as well as some valuable life management strategies.... Continue
Premium Service Lets Users Search and Compare Municipal Ordinances Across State
Expanded search capabilities offered by Municipal Code Corporation allow for simultaneous searching through all (or some) codes and ordinances in a given state. This service makes it convenient to find the norm and/or compare one municipality’s zoning laws, for example, with another’s - a tool that can come in handy when developing or revising local ordinances.... Continue
Proposed Universal Preschool Program in California Sparks Cost?Benefit Debate Among Public Policy Think Tanks
California voters will be asked to approve a $2.4 billion universal preschool initiative on the ballot this June. The Reason Foundation, a non-profit think tank group, recently published a policy brief contending that the per-pupil cost of this proposal is too high, and that the state would be better off redistributing funds already designates for preschool programs.... Continue
“Big Dig” Spurs Economic Development in Boston
One of the biggest infrastructure financing deals in the U.S., the “Big Dig” - recently completed after 14 years of construction - is fueling economic development and revitalization in and around Boston. The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority recently released a comprehensive report detailing the impact of the project on the area’s transportation and economy.... Continue
Try Your Hand at President for the Day
National Geographic’s “Inside the White House” allows visitors to learn more about the White House, and even try their hand at being President for the day!... Continue
Is the South Florida Housing Boom Ending?
A Miami Herald study predicts an end to South Florida’s housing “explosion”. While prices may continue to rise, they will do so at a slower pace than the past few years. One particularly vulnerable sector of the market is condos.... Continue
GASB Drafts Requirements for Financial Reporting of Pollution Controls
The Governmental Accouting Standards Board recently released a draft setting forth requirements for financial reporting of pollution control measures. The proposal lists five situations in which a government would need to include accounting for pollution remediation.... Continue
Phoenix Prepares for Special Bond Election on March 14
Phoenix will be holding a special election on March 14, when voters will be asked to approve the issuance of bonds to finance citywide improvements. To help voters prepare for the special election, Phoenix has posted an information Election Information page on its web site.... Continue
Two Mississippi Cities Consider Historic Merger
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, two Mississippi cities - Bay St. Louis and Waveland - are considering the consolidation of local government serivces. This merger would be the first in the state, which currently carries a law that prohibits this type of union.... Continue
Personalized Healthy Eating Guidelines Set Forth by Food Pyramid Web Site
Is “eating healthier” among your resolutions for the new year? Visit MyPyramid.gov for a variety of tools and tips designed to help you make mor... Continue
Rockefeller Institute Says State Finances in Best Shape Since 2001
The Rockefeller Institute reports that state finances were in better shape in 2005 than in recent years thanks to a healthier overall economy. The Institute’s annual fiscal survey showed that eleven states adjusted their tax levels, with seven actually reducing taxes.... Continue
NYC Posts Preliminary Budget Materials Upon Release
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg unveiled the City’s fiscal 2007 budget, and the information was posted online the same day. NYC is noted for the timeliness with which it posts information to its web site, which does a great job of making the business of big-city government accessible and understandable.... Continue
Happy Groundhog Day -- The Movie lives on in Woodstock, Illinois
Groundhog Day is celebrated annually during the first week of February in Woodstock, Illinois to commemorate the movie of the same name. A schedule of events for the week long festival is available on the village’s website.... Continue
Fayetteville and San Joaquin County Selected as Census Test Sites
Fayetteville, North Carolina and San Joaquin County, California were selected as sites for the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2008 Census, a test run for the next official Census in 2010. Both areas stand to benefit from a boost in temporary employment... Continue
Brookings Study Examines Representative Governance Issues of Metropolitan Planning Organizations
Do metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) fairly represent the populations they serve? A study released this month by the Brookings Institution examines whether the interests of the general population are represented by MPOs, whose members are usually appointed rather than elected, in 50 large metro areas across the country.... Continue
U.S. Counties Face Growing Methamphetamine Epidemic
America is slowly becoming acquainted with a new health care crisis: Methamphetamine abuse. The National Association of Counties has released a report on two nationwide surveys of counties, with methamphetamines being reported as an “epidemic” and the top drug issue county health care officials and law enforcement is confronting.... Continue
New York City Death Rate Reaches New Low
New York City’s death rate was the lowest ever in 2004, according to its recently released annual Summary of Vital Statistics. The lower death rate is due to a drop in cardiac-related deaths, attributed to an improved quality of health care.... Continue
Webcast on Housing and Transportation Affordability Index Set for January 19
Knowledgeplex and the Brookings Institution will host a webcast on the Housing and Transportation Affordability Index on January 19; this new measure includes transportation costs in determining true affordability for housing.... Continue
Motor City Gets Ready for Super Bowl; Racing Legend Penske Rallies Volunteers
Detroit, Michigan prepares for Super Bowl XL, 24 years since its previous opportunity to host football’s biggest game. City and business leaders are working hard to change 40 years of bad PR and get momentum behind urban renewal efforts.... Continue
Property Tax Stability Could Be at Risk if Housing Market Fizzles
A continued slowdown in the housing market could have a negative effect on the property tax base in communities around the country - particularly along the East and West Coasts.... Continue
Municipal Bond Market Breaks $400 Billion Mark in 2005
The municipal bond market had a strong year in 2005, spurred on by low long term interest rates. The year was particularly favorable for the state of California, which took advantage of low long term yields and represented half of all bond issues.... Continue
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