Managing Local Government
An Essential Guide for Municipal and County Managers
Second Edition
Kimberly L. Nelson
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
Carl W. Stenberg
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
If you’re in the Americas, please visit our Sage College Publishing website to purchase or sample this book:
Go to College Publishing WebsiteDescription
Managing Local Government: An Essential Guide for Municipal and County Managers, 2nd Edition, covers the basics of the local government management curriculum with a regional approach that examines the local governmental structural forms, administrative functions, and financial considerations inherent to the metropolitan environment. To prepare the next generation of local leaders, authors Kimberly Nelson and Carl Stenberg incorporate real-life scenarios, case studies, and class discussion questions to help students understand contemporary issues.
Contents
Preface
Preface
Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
- Chapter 1: Leading Local Governments in a Dynamic World of Complexity and Ambiguity
- Modern Metropolitan Complexity
- The Contemporary Context: Continuity and Change
- The Intergovernmental Landscape: Who’s in Charge?
- Managing Challenges: Critical Competencies for Closing the Gap
- References
- Chapter 2: U.S. Local Governments in Historical Context
- Early Development of American Cities: 1700–1900
- Urban Population Growth
- The Progressive Era
- Urban Service Delivery Improvements
- Post-Progressive Era Metropolitan Development
- Looking Forward
- References
- Resource List/To Explore Further
- Chapter 3: Types, Functions, and Authority of U.S. Local Governments
- U.S. Local Government Authority
- Local Government Types and Distribution
- Regional Models of Local Government Structure
- Local Forms of Government
- References
- Resource List/To Explore Further
- Chapter 4: Working across Boundaries
- Stressed Local Structure
- Reform Perspectives
- Snow White and the 17 Dwarfs
- State Restructuring Incentives
- Regional Cooperation: Looking Forward
- References
- Resource List/To Explore Further
- Chapter 5: Roles and Relationships
- Roles and Responsibilities in Local Government
- The Chief Administrative Officer versus the Manager
- Policy versus Administration
- The Local Government Manager as Organizational Leader
- Building a Leadership Team
- References
- Resource List/To Explore Further
- Chapter 6: Accountability and Ethics in Local Government
- State Government Oversight
- Ensuring Accountability in Local Government
- Ethics and the Profession of the Local Government Manager
- Conclusion
- References
- Resource List/To Explore Further
- Chapter 7: Enhancing Council–Manager Effectiveness
- Local Government Manager Characteristics
- Working as a Local Government Manager
- The Manager’s Facilitating Role
- Mutual Expectations
- Recognizing and Dealing with Problems in the Governing Body
- References
- Resource List/To Explore Further
- Chapter 8: Engaging the Public
- Why Engage the Public?
- History of U.S. Public Engagement
- Objectives of Public Participation
- Engagement Challenges
- From Participation to Power
- Virtual Public Engagement
- Making Engagement Work
- References
- Resource List/To Explore Further
- Chapter 9: Local Government Service Delivery
- In-House vs. Alternative Service Delivery
- Government-to-Government Approaches
- Public–Private Partnerships
- Other Alternative Service Delivery Tools
- Key Questions
- References
- Resource List/To Explore Further
- Chapter 10: Administering the Local Government Organization
- Building Organizational Capacity
- The Manager’s Toolbox
- The Journey from Planning and Measurement to Management
- Using the Tools as Manager
- References
- Resource List/To Explore Further
- Chapter 11: Emerging Issues and Management Challenges Facing Local Governments
- Wicked Problems Revisited
- Current and Emerging Issues for Local Governments
- Tackling Wicked Problems
- Concluding Thoughts and Takeaways
- References
- Resource List/To Explore Further
- Note
Appendix: International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Code of Ethics with Guidelines
Appendix: International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Code of Ethics with Guidelines
Additional materials
Description
Managing Local Government: An Essential Guide for Municipal and County Managers, 2nd Edition, covers the basics of the local government management curriculum with a regional approach that examines the local governmental structural forms, administrative functions, and financial considerations inherent to the metropolitan environment. To prepare the next generation of local leaders, authors Kimberly Nelson and Carl Stenberg incorporate real-life scenarios, case studies, and class discussion questions to help students understand contemporary issues.
Contents
Preface
Preface
Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
- Chapter 1: Leading Local Governments in a Dynamic World of Complexity and Ambiguity
- Modern Metropolitan Complexity
- The Contemporary Context: Continuity and Change
- The Intergovernmental Landscape: Who’s in Charge?
- Managing Challenges: Critical Competencies for Closing the Gap
- References
- Chapter 2: U.S. Local Governments in Historical Context
- Early Development of American Cities: 1700–1900
- Urban Population Growth
- The Progressive Era
- Urban Service Delivery Improvements
- Post-Progressive Era Metropolitan Development
- Looking Forward
- References
- Resource List/To Explore Further
- Chapter 3: Types, Functions, and Authority of U.S. Local Governments
- U.S. Local Government Authority
- Local Government Types and Distribution
- Regional Models of Local Government Structure
- Local Forms of Government
- References
- Resource List/To Explore Further
- Chapter 4: Working across Boundaries
- Stressed Local Structure
- Reform Perspectives
- Snow White and the 17 Dwarfs
- State Restructuring Incentives
- Regional Cooperation: Looking Forward
- References
- Resource List/To Explore Further
- Chapter 5: Roles and Relationships
- Roles and Responsibilities in Local Government
- The Chief Administrative Officer versus the Manager
- Policy versus Administration
- The Local Government Manager as Organizational Leader
- Building a Leadership Team
- References
- Resource List/To Explore Further
- Chapter 6: Accountability and Ethics in Local Government
- State Government Oversight
- Ensuring Accountability in Local Government
- Ethics and the Profession of the Local Government Manager
- Conclusion
- References
- Resource List/To Explore Further
- Chapter 7: Enhancing Council–Manager Effectiveness
- Local Government Manager Characteristics
- Working as a Local Government Manager
- The Manager’s Facilitating Role
- Mutual Expectations
- Recognizing and Dealing with Problems in the Governing Body
- References
- Resource List/To Explore Further
- Chapter 8: Engaging the Public
- Why Engage the Public?
- History of U.S. Public Engagement
- Objectives of Public Participation
- Engagement Challenges
- From Participation to Power
- Virtual Public Engagement
- Making Engagement Work
- References
- Resource List/To Explore Further
- Chapter 9: Local Government Service Delivery
- In-House vs. Alternative Service Delivery
- Government-to-Government Approaches
- Public–Private Partnerships
- Other Alternative Service Delivery Tools
- Key Questions
- References
- Resource List/To Explore Further
- Chapter 10: Administering the Local Government Organization
- Building Organizational Capacity
- The Manager’s Toolbox
- The Journey from Planning and Measurement to Management
- Using the Tools as Manager
- References
- Resource List/To Explore Further
- Chapter 11: Emerging Issues and Management Challenges Facing Local Governments
- Wicked Problems Revisited
- Current and Emerging Issues for Local Governments
- Tackling Wicked Problems
- Concluding Thoughts and Takeaways
- References
- Resource List/To Explore Further
- Note
Appendix: International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Code of Ethics with Guidelines
Appendix: International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Code of Ethics with Guidelines
Additional materials
Reviews
Managing Local Government
An Essential Guide for Municipal and County Managers
June 2025 | 304 pages | CQ Press
| Format | Published Date | ISBN | Price |
|---|
Managing Local Government: An Essential Guide for Municipal and County Managers, 2nd Edition, covers the basics of the local government management curriculum with a regional approach that examines the local governmental structural forms, administrative functions, and financial considerations inherent to the metropolitan environment. To prepare the next generation of local leaders, authors Kimberly Nelson and Carl Stenberg incorporate real-life scenarios, case studies, and class discussion questions to help students understand contemporary issues.
Table Of Contents:
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- About the Authors
- Chapter 1: Leading Local Governments in a Dynamic World of Complexity and Ambiguity
- Modern Metropolitan Complexity
- The Contemporary Context: Continuity and Change
- The Intergovernmental Landscape: Who’s in Charge?
- Managing Challenges: Critical Competencies for Closing the Gap
- References
- Chapter 2: U.S. Local Governments in Historical Context
- Early Development of American Cities: 1700–1900
- Urban Population Growth
- The Progressive Era
- Urban Service Delivery Improvements
- Post-Progressive Era Metropolitan Development
- Looking Forward
- References
- Resource List/To Explore Further
- Chapter 3: Types, Functions, and Authority of U.S. Local Governments
- U.S. Local Government Authority
- Local Government Types and Distribution
- Regional Models of Local Government Structure
- Local Forms of Government
- References
- Resource List/To Explore Further
- Chapter 4: Working across Boundaries
- Stressed Local Structure
- Reform Perspectives
- Snow White and the 17 Dwarfs
- State Restructuring Incentives
- Regional Cooperation: Looking Forward
- References
- Resource List/To Explore Further
- Chapter 5: Roles and Relationships
- Roles and Responsibilities in Local Government
- The Chief Administrative Officer versus the Manager
- Policy versus Administration
- The Local Government Manager as Organizational Leader
- Building a Leadership Team
- References
- Resource List/To Explore Further
- Chapter 6: Accountability and Ethics in Local Government
- State Government Oversight
- Ensuring Accountability in Local Government
- Ethics and the Profession of the Local Government Manager
- Conclusion
- References
- Resource List/To Explore Further
- Chapter 7: Enhancing Council–Manager Effectiveness
- Local Government Manager Characteristics
- Working as a Local Government Manager
- The Manager’s Facilitating Role
- Mutual Expectations
- Recognizing and Dealing with Problems in the Governing Body
- References
- Resource List/To Explore Further
- Chapter 8: Engaging the Public
- Why Engage the Public?
- History of U.S. Public Engagement
- Objectives of Public Participation
- Engagement Challenges
- From Participation to Power
- Virtual Public Engagement
- Making Engagement Work
- References
- Resource List/To Explore Further
- Chapter 9: Local Government Service Delivery
- In-House vs. Alternative Service Delivery
- Government-to-Government Approaches
- Public–Private Partnerships
- Other Alternative Service Delivery Tools
- Key Questions
- References
- Resource List/To Explore Further
- Chapter 10: Administering the Local Government Organization
- Building Organizational Capacity
- The Manager’s Toolbox
- The Journey from Planning and Measurement to Management
- Using the Tools as Manager
- References
- Resource List/To Explore Further
- Chapter 11: Emerging Issues and Management Challenges Facing Local Governments
- Wicked Problems Revisited
- Current and Emerging Issues for Local Governments
- Tackling Wicked Problems
- Concluding Thoughts and Takeaways
- References
- Resource List/To Explore Further
- Note
- Appendix: International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Code of Ethics with Guidelines
Recent Product Reviews:
This text provides students with much of the classic and recent research on local government management in a condensed and easily readable format appropriate for both graduate and undergraduate students.
Samuel B. Stone, California State University, Fullerton
Nelson and Stenberg have crafted an accessible, quality resource that is both sound and real-world in its delivery.
Michael R. Hattery, SUNY Brockport
Having taught local governance for 15 years, I was pleased when this book was first published. It is so difficult to find good resources that aren't also covering state government. I especially appreciate the inclusion of role and purpose of citizen engagement as a fundamental addition to political and administrative functions.
Margaret Stout, West Virginia University