Have you ever stopped to consider how vulnerable your city might be to a cyberattack? It’s probably not at the top of your to-do list. But here’s the thing: cyber attackers aren’t waiting around for us to be ready. Remember what happened to Atlanta back in 2018? A ransomware attack locked down city systems, halted… Read More »

The Silver Tsunami, we coined this phrase 25 years ago.  We didn’t really worry that much about it back then, at least not at the City government organizations I worked at.  And we really didn’t do that much to ensure that we captured all that institutional knowledge of our older workers who have since left… Read More »

When you hear “municipal bonds,” you probably think of safe, reliable financing. But here’s the thing: they’re so much more than that. Municipal bonds are the financial backbone that holds up your community’s future. Did you know that investment-grade municipal bonds have an astonishingly low default rate of just 0.09% over ten years? That’s not… Read More »

True story, in 1992, the Police Chief of the City of Hemet placed a budget amendment request on the Council agenda, requesting an additional $10,000 for temporary chain link fencing during construction of Police Department building improvements.  The Mayor asks the Chief, “chain link, are you sure you would not prefer rod iron fencing instead”? … Read More »

Be real for a second, we’ve all sat through a city council meeting that dragged on forever and left everyone wondering, “Did we actually get anything done?” The truth is, productive, well-run meetings don’t happen by accident, they’re built on purpose, structure, and a real commitment to serving your community well. For decades, MuniTemps has… Read More »

Have you ever read a government announcement that actually stayed with you? If not, you’re not alone. Maybe you scrolled past it, tuned out halfway through a Council Meeting, or gave up trying to decode a report packed with bureaucratic jargon. Government officials are noticing, too, traditional communication methods just aren’t landing anymore. But here’s… Read More »

We all know it, city’s roads won’t fix themselves, and aging pipes don’t magically replace themselves overnight. If you’re part of a growing community, you already know the struggle: old streets, overworked water systems, and public buildings that feel stuck in another decade. All demanding repairs while your budget stays stubbornly tight. So, what’s your… Read More »

Let’s be honest, running a trustworthy local government takes work. Have you ever stopped to think about how much it actually shapes your life and your community’s future? Here’s a reality check, only half of today’s kids will earn more than their parents did. Back in 1940, that number was ninety percent. This huge drop… Read More »

Have you ever thought about how much your phone connects you to democracy? Whether you’re scrolling through political news, reacting to a city update, or sharing your opinion on a community issue, you’re participating. You’re not alone, either. Around the world, people are using social media to speak up, take action, and even influence policy.… Read More »

Before we jump into discussing government’s role in managing natural disasters, I want to put in a plug for the “finance” side of these unfortunate events.  As a CPA with 35 years in local government finance, I want to remind you to set up a Project number immediately, by asking your Accountant to use your… Read More »