FCC issues new rules for cable franchising
By: Ed Brock
In March, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officially released an order that will reduce local governments' authority to regulate cable franchises....
San Francisco keeps track of its trees
Last month, San Francisco branched out its tree inventory efforts by launching an online map to track tree growth in the city. The Urban Forest Mapping...
Solving true crimes
By: By Doug Mamroth
Television dramas have contributed to the public's perception that high-speed chases and shoot-outs thwart lawbreakers. However, in reality, most crimes...
Well served
By: By Betsy Harter
Streaming video is coming of age, a fact best demonstrated by YouTube, a Web site where 100 million videos are downloaded daily. Local government Web...
Pinpointing public assets
For many years, Covington, Ga., contracted with private consultants to survey and map the community. Two years ago, city officials decided to bring those...
Can you dig it?
By: By Kevin Corbley
When a pipe breaks and the wastewater utility is unable to quickly locate its underground assets, then time becomes the enemy. Many communities, though,...
Can they count on IP?
By: By Paul May
Technology developments are changing the world of public safety communications from simple analog radio networks to Internet Protocol (IP) packet-switched...
Program offers guidance on biofuel feasibility
A computer program is now available to help electricity providers judge the feasibility of using biofuels — such as wood, animal waste and landfill gas — to generate power...
What will the FCC ruling on cable franchise regulation mean locally?
In December, the Federal Communications Commission adopted new rules that limit local governments' authority to regulate cable franchises. Local government organizations...
High scores
This month the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released scorecards on the interoperable communications capabilities of 75 urban areas. The scorecards...
Avoiding fitful starts
By: By Chad Snow
Replacing a legacy computer system with a large enterprise resource planning or geographic information system can be challenging and time consuming. But,...
What's IT worth?
By: By Russ LeFevre
From Wichita, Kan., to Washington, D.C., governments are pressed to prove the value of their information-technology spending. Their efforts are more difficult...
Oregon holds workshop on new EPA standards
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) is helping the state’s cities and counties prepare for stricter Environmental Protection Agency air quality standards for fine particulate matter. The new standards, which apply to smoke, soot or dust particles under 2.5 microns ...
GIS puts a face on local development
A growing number of local governments are posting geographic information system (GIS) maps and data online to enhance economic development, provide information...
CIOs balance privacy and accessibility
Information technology departments continually try to stay ahead of privacy and security threats while preserving access to public records and information....
In their own words
By: By Kim Patrick Kobza
With an array of new communication technology available such as e-mail, Web forms and blogs residents have numerous ways to express their opinions about...
Step by step automation
Software directs forms through approval chains electronically....
Save more for the future
City helps employees decide which retirement plans are best....
Cities find new uses for crime fighting tool
By: Ed Brock
In the mid-1990s, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) began placing more decision-making power to direct law enforcement strategy in the hands...
The executive upgrade
By: By Lynn Peisner
Information technology is no longer a back-office function in local government. In the past few years, chief information officers (CIOs) have moved out...
A personal touch
By: By Jim Norton
As local governments look for ways to improve customer service, some are including personalized messages to residents on tax statements, motor vehicle...
Hiring new management
Chaska, Minn. one of the first communities in the nation to build and operate a citywide wireless broadband network began outsourcing the network's administration...
The newest trends in smart growth style
What does smart growth look like? A new guide from Smart Growth Network and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), both based in...
Watching, not waiting
By: By Tom Spengler and Lauren Alexander
As telecommunications reform legislation moves to the Senate floor, debate is stirring over public cable channel access and control over cable television...
Combining property data
After years of searching through filing cabinets to research land values and ownership information, Brunswick, N.Y., has created a geographic information...
