MuniNet Guide Archive
Phoenix Prepares for Special Bond Election on March 14
Phoenix will be holding a special election on March 14, when voters will be asked to approve the issuance of bonds to finance citywide improvements. To help voters prepare for the special election, Phoenix has posted an information Election Information page on its web site.
Two Mississippi Cities Consider Historic Merger
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, two Mississippi cities – Bay St. Louis and Waveland – are considering the consolidation of local government serivces. This merger would be the first in the state, which currently carries a law that prohibits this type of union.
Personalized Healthy Eating Guidelines Set Forth by Food Pyramid Web Site
Is “eating healthier” among your resolutions for the new year? Visit MyPyramid.gov for a variety of tools and tips designed to help you make more nutritional food choices. Based on your age, sex and level of physical activity, the site recommends how much...
Striving for Online Excellence – Part 1: Function
Increasing government accountability, educating citizens, and providing financial disclosure are among the key functions of today’s best municipal web sites. This first installment in MuniNet Guide’s “Striving for Online Excellence” three-part series examines these and other objectives of top-notch state, county and local government sites.
Rockefeller Institute Says State Finances in Best Shape Since 2001
The Rockefeller Institute reports that state finances were in better shape in 2005 than in recent years thanks to a healthier overall economy. The Institute’s annual fiscal survey showed that eleven states adjusted their tax levels, with seven actually reducing taxes.
NYC Posts Preliminary Budget Materials Upon Release
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg unveiled the City’s fiscal 2007 budget, and the information was posted online the same day. NYC is noted for the timeliness with which it posts information to its web site, which does a great job of making the business of big-city government accessible and understandable.
Happy Groundhog Day — The Movie lives on in Woodstock, Illinois
Groundhog Day is celebrated annually during the first week of February in Woodstock, Illinois to commemorate the movie of the same name. A schedule of events for the week long festival is available on the village’s website.
Fayetteville and San Joaquin County Selected as Census Test Sites
Fayetteville, North Carolina and San Joaquin County, California were selected as sites for the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2008 Census, a test run for the next official Census in 2010. Both areas stand to benefit from a boost in temporary employment
Brookings Study Examines Representative Governance Issues of Metropolitan Planning Organizations
Do metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) fairly represent the populations they serve? A study released this month by the Brookings Institution examines whether the interests of the general population are represented by MPOs, whose members are usually appointed rather than elected, in 50 large metro areas across the country.
U.S. Counties Face Growing Methamphetamine Epidemic
America is slowly becoming acquainted with a new health care crisis: Methamphetamine abuse. The National Association of Counties has released a report on two nationwide surveys of counties, with methamphetamines being reported as an “epidemic†and the top drug issue county health care officials and law enforcement is confronting.
New York City Death Rate Reaches New Low
New York City’s death rate was the lowest ever in 2004, according to its recently released annual Summary of Vital Statistics. The lower death rate is due to a drop in cardiac-related deaths, attributed to an improved quality of health care.
Webcast on Housing and Transportation Affordability Index Set for January 19
Knowledgeplex and the Brookings Institution will host a webcast on the Housing and Transportation Affordability Index on January 19; this new measure includes transportation costs in determining true affordability for housing.
Motor City Gets Ready for Super Bowl; Racing Legend Penske Rallies Volunteers
Detroit, Michigan prepares for Super Bowl XL, 24 years since its previous opportunity to host football’s biggest game. City and business leaders are working hard to change 40 years of bad PR and get momentum behind urban renewal efforts.
Property Tax Stability Could Be at Risk if Housing Market Fizzles
A continued slowdown in the housing market could have a negative effect on the property tax base in communities around the country – particularly along the East and West Coasts.
Municipal Bond Market Breaks $400 Billion Mark in 2005
The municipal bond market had a strong year in 2005, spurred on by low long term interest rates. The year was particularly favorable for the state of California, which took advantage of low long term yields and represented half of all bond issues.
Economists and Prognosticators Begin to Weigh in for 2006
With the start of the new year, economists and market experts begin to offer their predictions for the upcoming year. The rebuilding of the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Katrina is likely to be a major factor in the economy in 2006.
New Pew Report Compares Online Activities of Men, Women
Research studies from Pew and Forrester Research looks at the different ways in which men and women use the Internet today. Women are catching up to men in overall usage, but their behavior differs in many respects.
New Georgia City Contracts with Private Firm to Provide Bulk of Municipal Services
Serving as an example of how some communities are privatizing municipal services, Sandy Springs, Georgia has contracted with outside firm CH2M HILL-OMI to provide many of its public works and administrative functions.
Redevelopment Agency Demonstrates Exemplary Disclosure Practices
San Jose Redevelopment Agency sets a high standard for financial disclosure among municipal bond issuers. The agency’s website also features monthly project updates, retail vacancies and live broadcasts of board meetings.
Urban Land Institute Predicts Real Estate Growth to Moderate in 2006
Survey expects growth in the real estate market to slow in 2006 compared to the robust growth rates in 2005. San Diego, Washington D.C. and L.A. are noted as top “markets to watch” for the new year.
San Diego Swears In New Mayor; Ceremony Shown via Live Webcast
San Diego featured a live webcast of the swearing-in ceremony of Mayor Jerry Sanders on December 5, 2005. The ceremony is available for viewing via archived video.
Number of Dislocated Workers Shows Economic Impact of Recent Hurricanes
Recently released employment data shows economic impact of hurricanes in Gulf region. New Orleans lost more than 200,000 jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Two Cities Promote Transparency in Government
An article in Government Technology magazine shows how posting certain types of information on a city web site helps to increase government accountability.
Google and Mountain View, CA Strike Deal on Wi-fi Service … Other Cities Poised to Follow Suit
Mountain View, California has accepted an offer from Google to provide citywide wireless access. Other larger cities, like San Francisco and Philadelphia are considering similar offers from wireless providers.
Pew Reports on Teen Internet Use
A recent Pew study reports that more than three quarters of today’s teens use the Internet; half of these are comfortable creating and posting online content.