"Local government officials must continually work to provide services and meet the expectations of the community, while ensuring the long-term financial stability of the community, which can be very difficult at times."

Although the national economy has improved of late, local governments are faced with long-term budget challenges.... These challenges are opportunities to break the status quo, think differently, and evaluate new and better ways to serve our communities. Within this landscape, we need ICMA more than ever.

"Civic innovation" aims to transform our nation's cities by strengthening the relationship between citizens and their local governments in order to improve lives...