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ICMA President Tanya Ange (County Manager of Washington County, Oregon) emphasized the vital role of local government leaders in serving their communities. Raftelis Manager and first-time attendee Emily Uselton noted that it was hard to grab just one thing, but what really struck her was Tayna’s comment that “local government management is a noble profession doing noble work.”
Vice President Jan Perkins echoed this sentiment, highlighting the demanding yet rewarding nature of the profession, “local government is a noble profession – and it is not easy – connecting with colleagues at the ICMA conference reminds me of the power of support that people give each other.”
The conference explored strategies for addressing the growing polarization in society and its impact on local governance. Senior Manager Pam Wideman appreciated the general session on Bridging the General Divide and was struck by the session on grappling with “What does it take to run the largest cities in the US.” City managers from Cincinnati, Philadelphia, and San Diego shared their experiences with complex issues such as inadequate supply of affordable housing, shrinking public safety forces in the face of growing crime balanced with once in a lifetime economic development opportunity, and the significant challenges of recruiting and retaining employees. As a former executive in a large city, Charlotte, NC, Pam worked firsthand on community development and housing issues.
Raftelis’ experts have a deep understanding of these challenges and offer practical solutions to them.
Check out our case studies and insights for financial and strategic planning and our solutions to workforce challenges, such as succession planning and training. For more information on how Raftelis can help your local government address these complex issues and build stronger, more resilient communities, please contact Michelle Ferguson (mferguson@raftelis.com) or Julia Novak (jnovak@raftleis.com).
