Click here to skip to main content.
scenic picture from Washington state
SUBJECTS › MANAGEMENT › Best Practices in Local Government
Updated 12/06

Best Practices in Local Government

Contents

Introduction/Overview

This page contains a collection of information relating to best practices in local government programs and management. A number of organizations have made special efforts to identify and collect information about successful local government programs and management practices. This page also contains links to several local government awards programs, which are an excellent source for best practices information. Share your best practices program information and links - Contact Byron Katsuyama, Public Policy Consultant, MRSC.

Articles - Publications - Web Pages

  • Government Innovator's Network - This dynamic portal produced by the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government brings you timely examples of government innovation.
  • 2006 City Innovations Showcase - Initiated by the Florida League of Cities’ the Showcase highlights the “good things” that Florida’s cities are doing and provides a resource base of innovative ideas that encourages peer sharing.  
  • Governmental Best Practices - (Adobe Acrobat Document208 KB) , Portland State University, 2001 - a collection of best practice solutions that addresses the critical issues faced by local governments in the Portland-Metropolitan Region.
  • Success Stories - MRSC collection of successful Washington local government programs.
  • Best Practices of City Governments - U.S. Conference of Mayors. Includes a searchable Best Practices Database.
  • Model County Programs - The National Association of Counties highlight's a number of model programs identified through their annual achievement awards program that represent innovative and creative solutions to the problems local governments face. Includes a searchable Model County Program Database.
  • Performance Measures Best Practices - National Performance Review, June 1997.
  • Best Practices in State - Local Information Systems - Center for Technology in Government, University at Albany, State University of New York.
  • A Best Practices Review of Local E-Government Services - Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau, December 2001. Full report (Adobe Acrobat Document644 KB).
  • Best Practices Reviews of Local Government - Office of the Legislative Auditor, State of Minnesota. The legislative auditor has responsibility to conduct "best practices reviews" of local government services in Minnesota. Includes best practices reviews of local government services on Snow and Ice Control, State Employee Training, Property Assessment, Non-Felony Prosecution, 9-1-1 Dispatching, Fire Services, and Preventive Maintenance for Local Government Buildings.
  • "Solutions for America: What's Already Out There," The Pew Partnership for Civic Change, 2002 - Profiles successful programs across the country, focusing on initiatives for young people, local economies, families, neighborhoods and collaborative change. Examples range from a downtown revitalization in Boston to an after-school program in Big Ugly Creek, West Virginia.

Organizations

Awards Programs

  • The All-America City Program - The National Civic League's All-America City Award is America's oldest and most prestigious community recognition award.
  • America's Crown Communities - Awards for America's Crown Communities are presented annually by American City & County to recognize local government projects that are unique, cost-effective and have a short- and long-term impact on the community. Entry forms are printed in each issue of American City & County. They also are available online.
  • Annual Awards for Excellence in Planning - American Planning Association - Washington Chapter:
  • Municipal Achievement Awards - The Association of Washington Cities hosts the annual AWC Municipal Achievement Awards, a competition that honors innovative programs or projects that benefit communities or municipal employees. Awards are given by population category, with a first place awarded in each category. The categories are: Up to 1,499 population; 1,500 to 4,999 population; 5,000 to 14,999 population; 15,000 to 39,999 population; over 40,000 population.
  • NLC's Awards and Recognition Homepage - The National League of Cities (NLC) recognizes cities and towns that have turned ideas into accomplishments. It provides various avenues to cities for sharing and rewarding their efforts.
  • Innovations in American Government - This awards program was established by the Ford Foundation in 1985 and is administered by the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in partnership with the Council for Excellence in Government. The awards honor exemplary programs that address important social and economic issues and to foster their replication. Applications are encouraged from all levels of government and from large and small jurisdictions. Applications are due in January of each year.
  • NACo Achievement Award Program - The National Association of Counties Achievement Award Program promotes county government initiatives that have improved service delivery, achieved greater cost efficiency, provided finer customer service, and helped to develop a better trained workforce. Awards are made in more than 20 categories.