The city of Little Rock, AR, was inundated with complaints from residents about nuisance problems. In 2004, under the leadership of City Manager Bruce Moore, the city responded to this problem with the Criminal Abatement Program. The program significantly improved the quality of life for many residents in Little Rock. In the first three years of the program by...

In Fort Smith, Arkansas, plant closings and an increasing number of layoffs caused the Fort Smith Board of Directors decided to adopt minimum property maintenance codes. The community rally around, helping to improve properties and make Fort Smith have healthy and safe neighborhoods.

Word of advice to active duty personnel: take advantage of any military educational dollars and earn your master of public administration degree.

Word of advice to active duty personnel: Explain your military skills and responsibilities in a way that someone who has never served in the military can easily understand.

At the ICMA Annual Conference, David Vaudt, chairman of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) joined local government leaders for a conversation about GASB’s role and standards, its engagement with the local government community, and changes to financial reporting standards relevant to local governments.