Advertise on podcast: Local Government Insights

In this episode, we explore how Generative AI and ChatGPT can revolutionize local government functions, featuring insights and real-world examples. Our special guests, Vidhu Shekhar, Microsoft Interim SLG Business Strategy Leader, and Micah Gaudet, Deputy City Manager of Maricopa, AZ, join us for an engaging discussion and live demonstration. We delve into key topics, including the automation of document generation for efficiency and personalization, leveraging AI for data analysis and visualization, providing step-by-step guidance on grant applications with ChatGPT, and examining various applications of Generative AI, including Virtual Emergency Operations Centers and Staffing Models.

In today’s episode, we explored the evolving landscape of modern governance and its relationship with technology. We addressed the unique challenges faced by Jury Administrators in the digital age, examined New Mexico's innovative vision for its jury system, and explored cutting-edge technological innovations that are reshaping jury management. Our guest, Adrianna Harris, the New Mexico Statewide Jury Program Manager from the New Mexico State Court, discussed the numerous benefits these advancements bring to both the courts and the public while highlighting valuable lessons from New Mexico's experience in adapting to this tech-powered transformation.

In this episode, we explore the transformative power of artificial intelligence in state and local government operations and services. Our guest, Vidhu Shekhar, a seasoned executive in technology and strategy with a focus on public sector digital transformation, shares insights from his book, "Generative Artificial Intelligence Use Cases in State & Local Governments." Tune in as we discuss how AI is reshaping state and local government. Gain groundbreaking insights, understand the challenges, and discover the boundless opportunities AI brings to the public sector.

Looking to modernize your government leadership and better connect with your community? In this episode, we explore the world of podcasts for local governments with special guest Ramiro Adeva, Assistant City Manager for Agoura Hills, CA. Ramiro shares how his lively podcast series has captured the attention and hearts of his community, and provides tips and tricks for local governments looking to create their own successful podcast. Don't miss out on this must-have communication tool for state and local governments!

In this episode host Brennan Middleton speaks with Tim Casey, a veteran City Manager and author of the book “The Mayor Married Who?, A look at the lighter side of a 40 year career in City Management." Tim shares his experiences and insights on local government, offers strategic advice for those aspiring to become City Managers. The discussion covers a range of topics including Tim's motivation for writing the book, his experiences as an intern in Manhattan Beach, and his advice for aspiring City Managers. Tim also touches on the ICMA's Range Rider program and the common problems cities have been facing in recent years.

Opinion research is a powerful tool often overlooked outside of elections. Learn how opinion research can help form policy decisions in this short podcast featuring Adam Probolsky, an opinion researcher who has worked with local governments across the nation.

Managing a city is filled with complexities regardless of its size…unless you get tips from an expert. This episode features Ronald Olson who shares some of his key takeaways that have helped him successfully be a City Manager for 35 years in over 7 cities of varying sizes, including Corpus Christi, Texas.

On this episode, we are joined by Dr. Leo Feler, an Economist with the UCLA Anderson Forecast for an economic outlook for 2022. Dr. Feler produces the UCLA Anderson Forecast U.S. macroeconomic forecast. He is an accomplished economist who received his Ph.D. in economics from Brown University; his M.A. in international policy from Stanford University; and his B.A. in economics and international relations from Stanford University. His update includes the GDP, inflation, unemployment, manufacturing, housing trends, tourism and more. His insight into markets across the country provides a helpful tool for local governments to understand what these economic indicators mean for them.

Merrett Stierheim started as a government intern and rose to become the Manager of what was the largest Commission/Manager government in the United States, not once but twice. As the County Manager for Miami Dade County he was responsible for running a $6 billion government with 27,000 employees. In this episode, we find out how he did it, what advice he has for those interested in rising in the ranks of local government, and what he sees as the biggest challenges facing anyone today who serves in public administration. This episode includes his encounters with three U.S. Presidents and the Queen of England and much more.

On this episode, we are joined by Robert Pesapane of FEMA. Robert is an Emergency Management professional with over 10 years of state and federal government experience. He currently serves as the Director of the Recovery Division for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) where he is responsible for providing guidance, leadership and oversight to state and local governments in an effort to help them recover from all disasters. He provides valuable insight on what it looks like for a jurisdiction to prepare for, face, and recover from a disaster.

The City of El Paso, TX adjusted its approach to Hotel Tax compliance that resulted in the discovery and recovery of over $3M in additional Occupancy Tax Revenue. Today we’re going to discuss what this journey looked like for El Paso, and key takeaways for other jurisdictions. Edmundo Calderon is the Chief Internal Auditor for El Paso and brings over 29 years of experience as an auditor across diverse industries including financial services, higher education, and local government. Together we discussed: • Current tax levies on hotels in El Paso • The challenges faced, and the process for developing a plan to address them • What additional revenue helped El Paso accomplish • Key takeaways This discussion with Edmundo Calderon was taken from our show Local Government Insights: Modernizing Government Leadership. If you want to hear more episodes like this one, check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. If you don’t use Apple Podcasts or Spotify, you can find every episode here.

Monroe County was established in 1821 and the amount of papers that was accumulating from the span of 200 years was exponential…leading the County to embark on the Paperless Initiative. Today we’re going to discuss what drove thecounty to venture towards this initiative and the steps they’re taking to achieve it. As the County Archivist, Kelly Smith , is responsible for managing the long-term storage and preservation of official records and ensuring that the public has access to them. Together we discussed: · The situation storing 200 years worth of paper. · Top factors to consider when looking for a vendor to help go paperless. · Understanding state record retention rules · Workflow for digitizing a large collection of records · Changes in storing, and retrieving documents. This discussion with Kelly Smith was taken from our show Local Government Insights: Modernizing Government Leadership. If you want to hear more episodes like this one, check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. If you don’t use Apple Podcasts or Spotify, you can find every episode here.