Local Government Administration in Small Town America devotes some overdue scholarly attention to the governance and administration of public programs in small towns and rural communities in the United States.
In government administration and leadership, rural community leaders face unique challenges in delivering public services including (but not limited to) education, health care, and public safety. Meanwhile, residents who live in smaller and more isolated rural settings often face greater difficulties accessing provisions and services or commuting to work, among other economic development challenges. These factors may affect a communitys resiliency to and recovery from shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Local Government Administration in Small Town America devotes some overdue scholarly attention to the governance and administration of public programs in small towns and rural communities in the United States.
The chapter contributors to this volume analyze some of the unique challenges rural communities face, as well as the policy tools that their governments employ to address them. The book explores ways that small town governments collaborate with one another, the state, and the federal government, and examines how local government officials use knowledge of people and place to improve policy performance. The chapters are designed to provide cases and strategies for students and practitioners in public administration to use in a small town environment, while also considering a communitys distinctive social and political culture, which determines how local political leaders and government practitioners might respond to demands and challenges they face. Local Government Administration in Small Town America is an essential resource for undergraduate and graduate students studying local government, as well as for rural practitioners navigating evolving challenges unique to their communities.
Recenzijas
"This well-conceived book fills a major vacuum in the public administration literature that exists on rural living and governance. The authors explore numerous topics from economic development strategy to public budgeting challenges to public safety and others. A theme that is present in many of the chapters is the lack of financial support for healthcare, non-profits, broadband, and public services. For all those interested in local government management, you will find this volume enlightening even if your focus is on urban governance." Douglas J. Watson, Retired City Manager and Professor, The University of Texas at Dallas, United States
Part I: Government Structures
1. The Network of Interests, Institutions,
and Individual Interactions in Small Town Governance [ Case Study: Starting
Out as a Professional Administrator in a Small Town]
2. The Origin and
Persistence of American County Boundaries: Courthouse Competition and the
Road to Reapportionment Part II: Public Functions in Rural Government Systems
Subsection: Economic and Community Development
3. Placemaking as an Economic
Development Strategy for Rural Governments Subsection: Election
Administration
4. The Mechanics of Democracy: The Critical Role of Local
Governments in Supporting Election Operations Subsection: Public Budgeting
and Finance
5. Public Budgeting in Small Local Governments
6. Using Financial
Statements to Improve Fiscal Strength and Make Policy Decisions
7. Small Town
Revenues for Big Time Public Services [ Case Study: Crowdfunding Local
Government: Belmonts Bicycle Sunday Program] Subsection: Healthcare, Parks
and Recreation and Wellness
8. Rural Communities and Access to Health Care
[ Case Study: Maternal Health and the Healthy Start Program]
9. Rural Parks
and Recreation: Understanding and Meeting the Needs Subsection: Human
Resources
10. Human Resources: Recruitment and Retention in Small Cities and
Towns [ Case Study: Volunteer Fire Departments in Small Town America]
Subsection: Infrastructure and Highway Services
11. Gateway Towns: Loving our
Rural Communities to Death Subsection: Nonprofits and Social Services
12.
Nonprofit Organizations and Arts Education in a Rural Community
13. Guthrie
KY and Civic Engagement: How Small Groups of People Make a Difference
Subsection: Technology, Internet, and Broadband Availability
14. The Where of
Small-Town Governance: Charting the Path from Technocracy to Democracy
15.
Broadband Availability and Adoption in Rural America Subsection: Public
Safety and Emergency Management
16. Public Safety in Rural and Small Town
America [ Case Study: Personal Reflections on Small Town Policing]
17.
Challenges in Rural Emergency Management Part III: Partnerships
18. Enhancing
Rural Capacity and Public Service Values through Intergovernmental and
Intersectoral Collaboration [ Case Study: Personal Diplomacy and the
Importance of Local Mayoral Networking]
19. Solution or Trouble?
Privatization and Rural Governments
20. The Role of Federalism in the
Attainment of Collaborative Sustainability Outcomes in Small Communities
[ Case Study: One Food Basket at a Time: Addressing Food Insecurity]
21.
Interlocal Economic Development Collaboration in Rural America: A Case of
West Texas Conclusion for Managing Mayberry
James C. Clinger is a professor in the Department of Political Science and Sociology and serves as director of the Master of Public Administration program at Murray State University. He teaches courses in state and local government, Kentucky politics, intergovernmental relations, public policy analysis, and public budgeting and finance.
Donna M. Handley serves as Master of Public Administration Director and associate professor at Southern Utah University. Prior to her academic career, she served as an assistant director of community development for the City of Auburn, Alabama. Her research interests include online learning, rural community governance and leadership, and women and leadership.
Wendy L. Eaton currently serves as the Program Chair of the Master of Public Administration program at Franklin University (Ohio). Prior to her academic career, she served as an assistant city manager and has over twelve years of experience in local government management.
