House subcommittee approves bill requiring plan‑based methodology for impact fees HB 1139 would define a state 'plan‑based methodology' for calculating impact fees, limit extraordinary‑circumstance fee spikes to 100% collected over four years, and require local governments to show capital improvements tied to fee payments; the committee reported it favorably with industry support.

Florida's HB 1139 aims to redefine impact fees with a new state methodology, limiting extraordinary fee hikes and ensuring local growth is backed by solid data.

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#FL #CitizenPortal #CommunityDevelopment #InfrastructureFunding #LocalGovernmentReform

A lot of this opposition comes from the fact that residents feel ignored when decisions are made by an unelected local government ('Council CEO' and Directors of Services who form the executive) - and I completely agree with Cllr Adam Wyse's recent appeals to improve democratic accountability. Changing Section 38 wouldn't be enough, as it still encourages elected councillors to oppose everything (as every councillor is effectively forced into being in opposition due to our undemocratic system of local government where they are blocked from being decision-makers), denies them any ability to form a democratic executive, and allows the Council CEO and Directors of Services to ignore public feedback without any cost. Every other democracy in the world has 1 of 3 forms of democratic government structures: A cabinet system with an executive formed of elected councillors - a Local Mayor and Local Ministers (like we and most other European countries have at national level, a parliamentary system) A committee system with a series of cross-party executive Local Committees for Housing, Transport etc - this works really well in Scotland especially as it encourages cross-party collaboration and includes all democratic representatives. A mayoral/presidential system, with a directly-elected executive mayor and Local Commissioners that they appoint, all held accountable by elected councillors. This system has been implemented in Limerick (to a minor extent, with the Council CEO renamed Director General and still retaining a lot of power without any democratic accountability).

We currently have one of the most centralised countries in both the OECD and the EU, and are one of the only countries in Europe where votes trust their local government less than their national government (which generally holding relatively higher levels of trust for both due to our brilliant proportional and preferential STV-PR electoral system). Our unique lack of democratic accountability due to our undemocratic system of local government (which, once again, is distinct from every other democracy in the world, which has autonomous democratic local governments of one form or another) is a major reason for this. Until the system changes to one where local councils can choose a democratic structure where they are elected to make decisions as part of an accountable executive, we will continue incentivising councillors to oppose any changes (because of a few vocal voters drowning out the majority with our individual objector planning instead of a majority participative planning system) and an unelected Local Government which is encouraged to ignore voter concerns and input.

I hope that everyone reading this can support local government reform to allow us to join the rest of the democratic world in having local executives which face democratic accountability. The UK has had a bad history of underfunding local government and centralising things, but implemented successful structural reforms in their local government reform of 2000 [full legislation here], which allowed each council to choose 1 of 4 structures (cabinet, committee, mayoral, and council CEO - similar to our current system but with the council CEO appointed by councillors instead of national government to improve local democratic accountability; this was later removed as an option because not a single council in the UK chose this worse system when given the choice). Please consider expediting the creation of new safe and segregated bike infrastructure (inner ring road, urban Greenway to Tramore, and Cork Road) before there are any more casualties of cyclists and e-scooter users due to lack of safe infrastructure. People are always against roadworks and upheaval, but so rarely complain about infrastructure once it's completed and they see the results in terms of improved traffic levels, more freedom of travel, and better wellbeing. And please consider putting pressure on your parties and other councillors to support local government reform into one which is more democratic and trusted, alongside holding more decentralised powers.

And all of this could be improved with a democratic local government instead of the undemocratic/unaccountable Council CEO system we have now:

#LocalDemocracy #Ireland #LocalGovernmentReform #Democracy #Irish #Community #Waterford #Democratic #LocalGovernment #IrishPolitics #Cycling #WaterfordCity

NHMA pushes back as lawmakers press bills to require local votes, oversight of municipal association Two bills before the Legislative Administration Committee would require recorded local votes before municipal dues fund lobbying and create a legislative oversight panel for the New Hampshire Municipal Association. NHMA and municipal officials testified the measures would impose costly restructuring and raise constitutional and conflict‑of‑interest concerns.

New Hampshire lawmakers are pushing for controversial transparency bills that could reshape how municipalities use taxpayer money for lobbying, sparking fierce opposition from local leaders.

Read the full story

#NH #LobbyingOversight #LocalGovernmentReform #TaxpayerTransparency

Sunnyside council removes City Manager Michael R. Gonzales; orders investigation report released After a public hearing required by state law, the Sunnyside City Council voted to remove City Manager Michael R. Gonzales without cause and later authorized release of the internal investigation report. The council adopted rules for the hearing and heard public comment calling for transparency.

Sunnyside City Council has made a shocking decision to remove City Manager Michael R. Gonzales without cause, igniting calls for transparency from the community.

Learn more here!

#SunnysideCityYakimaCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #LocalGovernmentReform #SunnysideCityCouncil #PublicAccountability

Devolution debate sees Warwickshire 'super council' plan agreed The debate has county councillors also agree to join the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Interesting. North-south split has been my preference as I don't see that the single county model has served Nuneaton + Bedworth especially well. But I also want to see the area join the WMCA to enable integrated transport + maybe (based on Coventry) better cycling resources. #LocalGovernmentReform

Citizens Advice Harlow publishes a vision for Advice for Greater Essex — Citizens Advice Harlow

🚨 Just launched: our Manifesto for Greater Essex.

We’re calling for an #EssexAdviceGuarantee so no one faces crisis alone.

Backed by lived experience. Built for a fairer, preventative public system.

Read it here: 👉 tinyurl.com/2ux7my9n

#TeamHarlow #Advice #Devolution #LGA #LocalGovernmentReform

Senator Betancourt prioritizes property tax cuts during Austin housing coalition conference Senator Betancourt discusses strategies to alleviate property tax burden on Texans.

Coppell City Council is grappling with the uncertainties of property tax reform that could reshape the financial future for Texans.

Get the details!

#TX #CitizenPortal #LocalGovernmentReform #FinancialSustainability #CoppellPropertyTax #HousingAffordability

Titusville Council Debates City Manager Search Amid Community Input Concerns Council members discuss reopening the city manager search and expanding citizen involvement.

Titusville's City Council is rethinking the search for a new city manager amidst rising community concerns about transparency and trust in the hiring process.

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#TitusvilleBrevardCounty #FL #CitizenPortal #LocalGovernmentReform #TitusvilleCityCouncil #CommunityInvolvement

Lots of hubs, where are the spokes? - What the 10-Year Health Plan for England, Family Hub expansion and commitments to Local Government reform mean for babies, children and young people — Dartington ... 7th July 2025 - The end of last week saw three major policy announcements with big ambitions. Each are rich in rhetoric about prevention, localism, and improving outcomes for children and families.&nb...

A number of big policy announcements with big ambitions for children and young people in recent days.

Read some of our reflections here: www.dartington.org.uk/latest-news/...

#ChildHealth #EarlyYears #BestStart #10YearHealthPlan #LocalGovernmentReform #FamilySupport #SystemsChange

Whatcom County resident advocates for equal representation in council districts Resident argues for one representative per district for fair council representation.

A passionate advocate is calling for a revolutionary shift in Whatcom County's governance by proposing a five-district model to ensure every community has a fair voice in local representation.

Learn more here

#WhatcomCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #WhatcomCountyGovernance #LocalGovernmentReform

City Council reviews utility service fees amid rising enterprise fund losses Council members discuss administrative cost burdens impacting enterprise fund revenue collection.

Rocky Mount's city council faces tough questions about financial management as enterprise funds struggle with rising losses and administrative cost burdens.

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#RockyMountNashCounty #NC #LocalGovernmentReform #CitizenPortal #SustainableBudgeting

House approves renewal of 20 mill school levy in House Bill 2125 Legislature votes to renew 20 mill school levy and streamline property tax processes.

Kansas lawmakers have just voted to renew the crucial 20 mill school levy, ensuring vital funding for education and streamlining property tax processes for residents.

Learn more here

#KS #LocalGovernmentReform #KansasSchools #CitizenPortal #TaxpayerClarity #EducationFunding

first magazine for councillors - the magazine for local government | LGA Liberal Democrat Group The latest edition of first, the LGA’s membership magazine is now available online. There is news about #LocalGovernmentReform, council leadership in combined…

The latest edition of first, the LGA’s membership magazine is now available online.

There is news about #LocalGovernmentReform, council leadership in combined authorities and much much more.

www.linkedin.com/posts/lga-li...

New research article published by Eran Razin & Lihi Luzon-Beranen
doi.org/10.1080/1753...
#LocalGovernmentFinance #LocalGovernmentReform #RetailAndOfficeRealEstate #FiscalZoning #Covid19 #Israel

Minnesota updates retirement plan options for St. Paul Port Authority employees Minnesota allows St. Paul Port Authority employees to elect retirement plan participation within 30 days.

Minnesota's Senate Bill 2980 is set to revolutionize retirement options for city managers and volunteer firefighters, potentially reshaping public service benefits!

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#MN #LocalGovernmentReform #CitizenPortal #MinnesotaPortAuthority #RetirementSecurity #PublicEmployeeBenefits

Tennessee General Assembly approves HB 337 enhancing legal advice for local officials New law mandates county and city attorneys to advise elected officials on legal compliance

Tennessee's House Bill 337 could change the game for local governance by mandating attorneys to guide elected officials on legal matters—will this empower or hinder our leaders?

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#TN #LocalGovernmentReform #CitizenPortal #LegalAdvisory #TennesseeLocalGovernance

Macon County committee approves charter changes impacting mayor and council salaries Committee votes to revise salaries for mayor and council members in Macon County.

Tennessee lawmakers are stirring controversy with proposals to nearly quadruple the mayor's salary while grappling with the pressing need for affordable housing.

Read the full story

#TN #LocalGovernmentReform #CitizenPortal #CommunityDevelopment #TennesseeLocalGovernance #AffordableHousing

Senate committee approves key amendments to property tax reform bill SB 117 Committee advances amendments to reform local government property tax calculations and reserves.

Montana's Senate Taxation Committee is poised to reshape property tax laws, balancing local government funding with taxpayer relief in a landmark reform effort.

Get the details!

#MT #LocalGovernmentReform #MontanaPropertyTax #CitizenPortal #FinancialStability #TaxpayerRelief

Indiana General Assembly approves new housing infrastructure funding and inspection reforms Indiana introduces legislation to streamline housing inspections and allocate $75M for infrastructure loans.

Indiana is taking bold steps to tackle its housing crisis by proposing legislation that streamlines construction inspections and boosts funding for infrastructure projects.

Learn more here!

#IN #LocalGovernmentReform #CitizenPortal

New legislation restricts third-party auditors from disclosing tax investigation details Legislation limits third-party auditor disclosures during local sales and use tax investigations.

Senate Bill 46 is igniting a fierce debate in Colorado over the balance between taxpayer privacy and government transparency in local tax investigations.

Learn more here!

#CO #LocalGovernmentReform #CitizenPortal #PrivacyProtection

Senate Bill 215 approved to enhance emergency medical services in Utah Committee adopts Senate Bill 215 to improve regulations for local emergency medical services.

Utah's legislature just took a bold step to revolutionize emergency medical services, empowering local governments to enhance efficiency and responsiveness.

Learn more here

#UT #LocalGovernmentReform #ServiceQuality #CitizenPortal #HealthcareAccess

Arkansas General Assembly approves merger of treasurer and tax collector positions Arkansas County to elect one official for merged treasurer and tax collector offices in 2026

In a bold move for local governance, Arkansas County is set to merge the treasurer and tax collector roles into one, sparking a heated debate on efficiency versus accountability.

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#AR #LocalGovernmentReform #PublicFinanceManagement #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal

Montana Legislature mandates conditions for tribal grant and loan agreements Legislation establishes legal requirements for grants and loans with Montana tribal governments.

Montana's new House Bill 579 could redefine the financial ties between state and tribal governments, but will it respect tribal sovereignty or spark controversy?

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#MT #InfrastructureFunding #LocalGovernmentReform #TribalSovereignty #MontanaTribalGovernance #CitizenPortal

Yeah, so...

#LocalGovernmentReform #LocalElections #SurreyCountyCouncil

A statement from me on the attempts by Surrey County Council to evade democratic accountability by postponing the 2025 local elections.

#DemocraticDeficit #Democracy #LocalGovernmentReform #NotInMyName