Eric JohnsonMar 17, 20152 minUse EIFDs to Improve your InfrastructureWe have written much in the past about the need to identify and cost out your infrastructure, partly to insure that the adequate...
Scott ThorpeJan 23, 20153 minThe Need for an Infrastructure CzarI suppose I should have paid greater attention in my Organizational Development classes during my BPA and MPA experiences, but frankly I...
Rick KermerNov 16, 20142 minWater Conservation and the Commons DilemmaThe Commons Dilemma was first discussed in 1968. To set the stage, a society was envisioned where all members were able to use its common...
Eric JohnsonOct 15, 20142 minSupporting Your Interfund TransfersIt seems that a number of cities have gotten letters from a law firm asking for the back-up detail for their interfund transfers from...
Scott ThorpeAug 18, 20144 minYet Another Looming Financial DisasterLast November I wrote the above titled topic about municipal asset replacement programs for the RCS monthly newsletter, and here is an...
Rick KermerJul 20, 20143 minWe do not have a Water CrisisYes, we have a drought and it critical that we do something about it. But, we need to do something smart and the criminalization of water...
Eric JohnsonJun 15, 20142 minHow Often is Enough?As a fee consultant, the question that I get asked most often is, “How often should we be updating our fees?” Once I dispose of the...
Eric JohnsonMay 19, 20142 minMusings on Food-Truck SafetyI love the expression “Accountants just want to have fun.” When the accountant is also a consultant, the “fun” can mean enjoying the...
Scott ThorpeApr 22, 20143 minNo Reductions in Service“There will not be any corresponding reduction in service.” I have a close friend that I met during our University Public Administration...
Eric JohnsonMar 15, 20142 minThe Power of WhyAs local governments pull themselves out of the rubble of the recession and revenues slowly start to increase, there is now an important...
Rick KermerJan 14, 20142 minPlanning for the Future without ContractingThere has been a groundswell of California local governments contracting out the delivery of services that formerly were provided by...
Scott ThorpeNov 18, 20133 min(Yet Another) Looming Financial Disaster: The Lack of a Funded Infrastructure Replacement ProgramWhen RCS undertakes a Development Impact Fee (DIF) Calculation and Nexus Report, one of the exhibits included in the Report is a table...
Eric JohnsonOct 18, 20132 minA Couple of Things about Overhead PercentagesIn the line of work that I’m in I hear lots of people mention overhead percentages. But that is usually not followed by what exactly...
Rick KermerSep 18, 20132 minBenchmarking in Local GovernmentI noticed the other day that some of the groups I’ve joined on LinkedIn are discussing benchmarking. I went through my benchmarking phase...
Scott ThorpeAug 13, 20134 minWhere is the General Plan Financial Element?1927 – State creates (requires) authority for cities/counties to prepare a General Plan. 1955 – Circulation and Land Use Elements...
Eric JohnsonJul 15, 20132 minWhat’s the difference between Capital Fees and Service Fees?Lately, there seems to be some confusion about the difference between Capital Impact Fees and Operational Service fees and the rules...
Rick KermerJun 17, 20133 minContracting: The Good, the Bad, and the UglyGiven the renewed interest in contracting as a way to save money, it seems like a good time to review the experience of agencies that...
Scott ThorpeMay 21, 20134 minSurprises are BadDoes your agency have a Revenue Book and someone assigned as Revenue Czar? The Revenue Czar is charged with knowing everything there is...
Rick KermerApr 16, 20132 minSwatting those “Swatting”A young girl calls the police while hiding in a closet to say that her father has just killed her mother and is looking for her to kill...
Eric JohnsonMar 19, 20133 minDon’t forget about your InfrastructureA recent report by the California Statewide Needs Assessment Project, a coalition of local government groups, identified more than $82...