Historically, public sector agencies have operated on a fairly standard model, one that relies primarily on in-house staff providing a traditional range of services (which varies based on the governmental unit), supported by a steady stream of tax revenue and various fees. In recent years, however, many communities have begun to question this approach, as it is becoming clear that simply increasing property and sales taxes to generate additional revenue is not politically tolerable – or necessarily sustainable -- and may not be relied upon to support the growing cost of government.

Additionally, in Illinois, there are over 6,800 separate governing bodies, including many that overlap the same geographic area, further exacerbating this challenge. At the Village of Glenview, new Board priorities coupled with reduced opportunities for revenue growth, increasing personnel costs, and a challenging economic environment prompted management to change the way it does business. In order to continue providing the services its residents expect, the Village chose to adopt a number of new guiding principles and best practices.