GIS can serve many purposes for local governments looking to make data driven decisions, such as benchmarking and strategic planning. GIS can also be used to increase local government transparency, for example for local governments now use GIS to track 311 calls and make these maps publically available. Some communities are even using GIS to increase citizen engagement! It is a truly remarkable tool worth exploring for local governments of every siz

Document in IBM Center for the Business of Government's Using Technology Series.

The city of Garden Grove, CA, began using open source technology in 1995 and is saving more than $70,000 annually because of it! In addition, open source software has provided Garden Grove with stable performance, advanced features, and an ease of implementation that would not be possible with other types of software.

If so you should participate in Gov 3.0! This free online program beginning on January 29, 2014 is a 14 week long experimental course brought to you by Gov Lab Academy, New York University’s Governance Lab. This program was created specifically for “purpose driven learners” so that you can implement the programs in your community that change how citizens and governments interact.

A joint Esri-ICMA publication -- edited by ICMA staffer, Cory Fleming -- helps executives and elected officials learn how GIS technology is being used by governments across North America.

The top 10 most visited questions of 2013 are below. If you are curious about those that garnered the most answers, start following@greenlee_K, as she will be tweeting the questions with the most answers along with other local government news all January long!

The Knowledge Network’s blogs feature contributions from a wide variety of sources, including the Knowledge Network team’s posts onIn the Know; other ICMA blogs from the Center for Management Strategies, Life, Well Run, and more; ICMA Professional Fellows; and local government professionals and enthusiasts from around the world.