Updated 4/18/2026 Today, the Department of Justice released an interim final rule. It delays the compliance deadline for website accessibility rules by one year. New deadlines: April 26, 2027 — government entities with populations of 50,000 and above April 26, 2028 — government entities with populations below 50,000, and special districts The rule is scheduled [...]
Over the past five years, virtual and hybrid meetings have become essential tools for local governments. These meeting formats have opened doors that previously limited who could participate, giving residents a voice no matter their location or schedule. That said, the laws governing how you conduct these meetings vary across states. For example, Massachusetts recently [...]
Imagine being a resident who just learned about a decision that directly affects your neighborhood. Maybe it’s about zoning, funding, or a change to public services. You don’t like it. The first question that comes to mind is: “Who made that decision?” It’s not just curiosity — it’s dissatisfaction. You want to know who was [...]
September is National Civic Awareness Month, a time to spotlight the importance of informed and engaged citizens. ICMA has been promoting Civic Awareness Month for years, as the municipal clerk's role is crucial in promoting civic awareness. By providing accessible information, organizing community events, and encouraging open dialogue, you can cultivate a more informed and [...]
Spring is here, and with it comes the urge to get outside and explore. Cycling offers a healthy, eco-friendly way for residents to navigate your municipality, but is your city ready to accommodate them? People for Bikes: A Resource for Your Community People for Bikes, a cycling advocacy group, provides valuable tools for both cyclists [...]
Pawtucket, Rhode Island: A City with a Rich History and a Bright Future Pawtucket, Rhode Island, has a population of over 75,000 people. Known as the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution, and home to the first fully mechanized cotton-spinning mill in the United States. Today, Pawtucket is a vibrant city with a diverse economy, [...]
Citizen participation is a key benefit of transparency. Citizen participation really means that a person shares information with their government. Whether it's a phone call, text or email to a representative, participating in public comment in a meeting, or volunteering to serve on a committee, it's all about letting the government know something they might [...]
Do you know how many boards, commissions, and/or committees your town government has? Do you know what they do, or who's on them? These groups drill-down on specific interests for the governing body, such as housing, health, property assessment, etc. The members are volunteers who are appointed or assigned to focus on that specific subject, and [...]