National Civic League President Doug Linkhart shares lessons from communities using transparency, resident participation and partnerships to strengthen local government
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rebuilding public trust requires more than holding public meetings or asking residents for feedback. Cities must demonstrate that community participation leads to meaningful results, strengthen relationships with residents and create lasting partnerships that help address local challenges.
In a new episode of the National League of Cities’ CitiesSpeak podcast, National Civic League President Doug Linkhart joins NLC CEO and Executive Director Clarence E. Anthony to explore how local governments can strengthen civic engagement, restore trust and build more connected communities.
Drawing on more than 40 years of public policy experience and 18 years as an elected official, Linkhart discusses the importance of collaboration and shares practical examples of communities improving civic participation as he prepares to retire from the National Civic League later this year.
What Local Leaders Should Know
Transparency is Essential, But Residents Also Need to See Results
Rebuilding trust requires local governments to make decisions more transparent, listen to community concerns and demonstrate how resident input influences public policy. Linkhart highlights Wichita, Kan., where civic education and public information initiatives have expanded opportunities for participation, and Hampton, Va., where residents help shape local budget priorities.
“Transparency is one big piece,” Linkhart says. He also emphasizes the importance of “listening and responding, and not only listening, but responding and showing that you’re responding by showing the results of people’s input.”
Effective Civic Engagement Reaches Beyond Traditional Public Meetings
Linkhart encourages local leaders to explore approaches that engage residents who may not regularly participate in government processes. He points to Boulder, Colo.’s community connector program, which works with residents from different backgrounds and community groups, and Chelsea, Mass., where community policing efforts have helped strengthen relationships between law enforcement and residents.
Linkhart also cautions that traditional public hearings, which often provide limited opportunities for dialogue, should be supplemented with more meaningful forms of engagement.
“There are better ways to hear from people,” Linkhart says, noting that public hearings “need to be supplemented with other approaches so that people can actually feel heard.”
Lasting Partnerships Help Cities Tackle Challenges Governments Cannot Solve Alone
From neighborhood organizations and nonprofits to faith-based groups and educational institutions, Linkhart emphasizes that sustained collaboration can help communities achieve measurable improvements.
He points to Franklin, Tenn.’s partnership with Franklin Tomorrow, a community-based nonprofit supporting public engagement and planning, and Roanoke, Va.’s efforts to involve residents in decisions about federal recovery funding.
“Collaboration, humility will get results in a way that builds civic muscle,” Linkhart says.
The conversation also highlights the National Civic League’s All-America City Award, which has recognized communities demonstrating excellence in civic engagement and collaboration since 1949. Linkhart explains that the award increasingly emphasizes measurable outcomes and long-term community improvements, rather than participation alone.
As local governments face growing expectations and increasingly complex challenges, the discussion underscores the importance of strengthening civic relationships and ensuring residents have a meaningful role in shaping their communities.
Listen to the full conversation, also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
