Commentaries

Commentaries are contributed, non-commercial and educational articles that subject matter experts write for American City & County. If you would like to submit an exclusive commentary, click here to view our guidelines.

Highlights

Smart cities require smart insurance programs

The rise in autonomous vehicles has required many cities and counties to examine the impact...

Smart cities: What really makes them smart?

Recently, I had the pleasure of taking part in the Intelligent Transport Systems World Congress...

Why should social services be excited about automation? Hint: an end to mundane, repetitive work

The importance of protecting children and ensuring their growth into healthy adults is an...

Commentary

Public housing authorities nationwide benefit from job order contracting

Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) are tasked with the responsibility of providing one of the most crucial human needs to some of the nation’s most vulnerable citizens. More than one million households live in public housing units, managed by over three thousand PHAs across the United States. Meeting the never-ending needs of public housing residents – […]

Commentary

Active shooter preparation: Don’t cross the line of traumatization

Active shooter incidents in communities, workplaces and public venues erupt, too regularly, as shocking reminders of the vulnerability to violence. Through the first nine months of 2019, a 50 percent increase in mass shootings have been reported, with at least 21 this year compared to 14 in the corresponding period in 2018. Across the country, […]

Commentary

Fund your resiliency efforts with energy savings

Connecting needs and resources can feel like the proverbial walk to school – uphill both ways. Despite increasing complexity in building consensus and procuring funding, communities are finding ways to meet growing needs with an expert eye on energy and operational spending. Energy projects aren’t just cutting costs and keeping up with aging infrastructure, they’re […]

Commentary

How Smart Columbus built the largest EV test drive program in the U.S.

We know that people are more likely to buy an electric vehicle (EV) after a test drive, but dealership experiences aren’t enough. The more experience someone has driving an EV the more favorable they are towards it. A test drive allows drivers to feel the powerful torque, hear the whisper quiet drive and experience the […]

Commentary

How California public agencies can reform pension benefits

In 2011, after the Great Recession left California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) only 61 percent funded, the Little Hoover Commission gave a dire warning: “California’s pension plans are dangerously underfunded, the result of overly generous benefit promises, wishful thinking and an unwillingness to plan prudently. Unless aggressive reforms are implemented now, the problem will […]

Case Studies

How a small New Mexico town solved their record-keeping issues

Clovis, N.M., is a largely agricultural community known for its rich history in music and southwestern adventure. As the seat of Curry County with a population of roughly 40,000 people, there are a lot of information management demands placed on the city’s small public administration office. However, using digital tools this small department was able […]

Commentary

Roadmap to a smart city master plan

Cities have a unique opportunity to enable the seamless integration of new technologies that will help meet societal challenges, while efficiently and equitably providing essential services to residents and businesses. The digitization and electrification of technologies, sharp increase in the quantity and speed of data transmitted, and rapid rise of artificial intelligence all offer cities […]

Commentary

How digital transformation helped the Los Angeles County Development Authority become a “high performer”

The Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) is responsible for the management of programs related to subsidized housing, community and economic development, and affordable housing development and preservation. Similar to most government agencies, paperwork is the starting point for much of the progress and growth at the LACDA, which can range from applications for Community […]

The right playbook to fight against ransomware

In October, the FBI released a public service announcement warning of potential “high-impact” ransomware attacks against U.S. organizations. Ransomware and the associated fallout continues to burden organizations every day. Major cities felt the brunt of this impact, with more than 81 attacks on municipalities in 2019 alone. Ransomware can plague operations and hamper everything from […]

Commentary

Creating the optimal living environment in today’s public housing

Public housing authorities (PHAs) and owners are tasked with creating and maintaining living environments that provide a safe and comfortable home for their residents, whether they be the elderly, low-income families or individuals with disabilities. But that goal must also be balanced with operational concerns; these buildings must remain affordable, energy efficient and resilient for […]

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Commentaries

Commentaries are contributed, non-commercial and educational articles that subject matter experts write for American City & County. If you would like to submit an exclusive commentary, click here to view our guidelines.

Highlights

Smart cities require smart insurance programs

Smart cities: What really makes them smart?

Why should social services be excited about automation? Hint: an end to mundane, repetitive work

Commentary

Public housing authorities nationwide benefit from job order contracting

Commentary

Active shooter preparation: Don’t cross the line of traumatization

Commentary

Fund your resiliency efforts with energy savings

Commentary

How Smart Columbus built the largest EV test drive program in the U.S.

Commentary

How California public agencies can reform pension benefits

Case Studies

How a small New Mexico town solved their record-keeping issues

Commentary

Roadmap to a smart city master plan

Commentary

How digital transformation helped the Los Angeles County Development Authority become a “high performer”

The right playbook to fight against ransomware

Commentary

Creating the optimal living environment in today’s public housing

White Papers

5 Best Practices To Building A Successful Supplier Relationship

Building a NextGen E-discovery Playbook for Public Sector Organizations

Communicating in Crisis – How Preparedness Leads to Successful Crisis Management

Events

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