by Latricia Good

Recent shifts in funding streams have dramatically changed the revenue system which local governments rely upon to provide services for citizens. With fewer dollars coming from the federal government, local leaders have begun to look for innovative ways to pay for the costs of providing their citizens? essential services such as police and ambulance, public transportation, trash collection and utilities.

Helping local leaders navigate the tangled web of municipal finance, a workshop series, ?How to Pay for Essential Services,? at NLC?s Congress of Cities and Exposition in Reno, Nev., Dec. 5-9, will present delegates with new and innovative ways to coordinate their public finance systems in order to provide cost effective, quality services to their citizens.

Delegates attending workshops in this series will hear about approaches that have been working in cities and learn more about the key components of a successful public finance plan.

As noted by NLC?s most recent survey of city finance officers, ?City Fiscal Conditions in 2006? (see related story on page 1), many cities are experiencing improved fiscal conditions as compared to past years. But with the majority of municipal spending being supported by cities? capacity to generate their own revenues, local officials across the country are continuously overwhelmed with the tasks of funding and maintaining city services while trying to improve their city?s fiscal conditions. And, while cities appear to be making the best of limited resources, most are searching for new strategies that would help their local government to feel less burdened.

Delegates looking for answers on fiscal concerns, such as how municipalities can pay for essential services while still balancing their budgets or how to fund schools, garbage collection, libraries, code enforcement, snow removal and road maintenance without more money coming from the federal government, are encouraged to attend the series.

Looking at various types and sizes of cities around the nation that have reputations for being well-managed financially, experts in this series will highlight several innovative tools used by cities to raise additional revenues and provide and pay for essential services.

From citizen engagement to regional collaboration, this workshop series will outline the major components of a public finance plan that is economical, efficient and equitable in its delivery of services. Experts will help local leaders think strategically about those tough budget choices and how to effectively deliver on their city?s dual mission of providing citizen services while appropriately utilizing public resources. After attending workshops in this series, local leaders will be able to develop a practical plan for improving their city?s public finance system.

Sample workshops include:

? Fundamentals of Municipal Finance;

? Budgeting By and With the People;

? Regional Options for Local Success; and

? Innovative Ways to Pay for Services.

Related Links: Congress of Cities and Exposition Website