ICMA - International City/County Management Association

With retirements looming and a shifting workforce, local governments must rethink how they plan for the future. At #LGReimagined conference, join this session to explore practical, resource-friendly strategies to build a strong talent pipeline. Let’s make succession planning a strategic advantage! What’s the biggest roadblock your organization faces in succession planning—time, budget, or something else? Drop your thoughts below! 

The February issue of PM Magazine dives deep into fostering trust and stability through meaningful engagement. From breaking language barriers to building transparent connections via social media, these strategies can help local governments strengthen their communities. How does your organization engage residents and build trust? Share your strategies—and tag someone leading the way in community engagement! A big thank-you to all the authors who contributed their expertise to this important topic! Riley Barlett, Rob Melnick, Braden Kay, Tricia Thomas, MPA, Michael T Paulhus, David, David Tebo, Rick Davis, ICMA-CM, Daniel Gerard, Tom Carroll, John Eck, Shannon J. Linning, Phd, is an assistant professor at SFU Criminology (Simon Fraser University), Kevin Duggan, Shannon Delong from City of Whittier, Marc Pfeiffer, Emily Colón, ICMA-CM, Taylor Lough, Cameron McIntosh, Steve King, MPA, Kimberley Sirk, MPA, Justin Chu, MA, and Celeste Benitez Galicia. MissionSquare Retirement

Congratulations to the City of Cibolo and Jefferson County, Colorado, the winners of the #ICMAAwards for Strategic Leadership and Governance! • Cibolo, TX: Transformed operations with a people-first strategy, reducing turnover, improving capital projects, and earning top workplace recognition. • Jefferson County, CO: Digital transformation saved millions, empowered employees, and funded innovative projects like EV stations. Join us in celebrating these exceptional local government initiatives driving positive change and community impact! Wayne Reed, ICMA-CM, Bryan Hugghins, CPM, LCC, Kelsee Jordan Lee, CEcD, CNU-A, and Joseph Kerby

ICMA's Director of Advocacy, Jason Grant, Ph.D., CPM, recently testified before the City of St. Louis Legislation & Rules Committee in support of BB162, introduced by Daniela Velázquez. This bill proposes adding a City Manager position to enhance government administration. With a 3-2 committee vote, the bill now moves to the full Board's informal calendar for further refinement and public input to ensure it meets the community’s needs. We are proud to support the City of St. Louis and communities nationwide in strengthening local government to better serve their residents.

From budget management to community development, local government offers diverse career paths with the opportunity to make a real difference. Whether you're new to the workforce or a seasoned professional, what's the biggest challenge in transitioning to local government? Vote in the poll and let's discuss in the comments! 

This Black History Month, ICMA celebrates the Black leaders transforming local government and building stronger, more inclusive communities.  Featured in our Member Spotlight is David Ellis, County Manager of Wake County, NC. An ICMA Credentialed Manager, Board Member of the NFBPA - National Forum for Black Public Administrators, and graduate of Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education in State and Local Government program, David exemplifies the power of leadership, innovation, and service. Let’s continue celebrating, learning from, and uplifting the leadership of David Ellis and other changemakers who are shaping the future of local government.

Congratulations to the Winter 2024 recipients of the Local Government Early Career Service Certificate. These emerging leaders have shown exceptional dedication to public service through hands-on projects and leadership in ICMA Student Chapters. • Kirill Eydinov, MPA (University of Michigan-Dearborn) – Kirill is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who launched his ICMA Student Chapter and developed a sister city program to foster cross-cultural collaboration. • Ciji G. (North Carolina Central University) – Ciji is a strategic initiatives analyst and founder of a nonprofit supporting low-income communities and youth empowerment. • Connor Holman (Grand Canyon University) – Connor is a future attorney whose ICMA experience sparked an interest in pursuing an MPA and working in public administration. • Logan Josey (Georgia Southern University) – Logan is passionate about public policy and local government, now working in planning and zoning for Richmond Hill, Georgia. • Angel Torres (St. Petersburg College) – Angel is a first-generation college student and Army veteran who overcame adversity to pursue local government and nonprofit management. Their commitment to public service is inspiring—what advice would you give to early-career professionals in local government? Drop your insights below!

After 42 years in public service, Judith Zimomra transitioned to academia, bringing her wealth of experience and wisdom to the next generation of local government leaders. A four-time recipient of the ICMA Local Government Service Award, Judith now teaches at John Glenn College of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University, where she mentors students and guides them through capstone projects, networking, and career planning. Her dedication to preparing future city managers and public servants was recognized with the 2024 Ohio State University Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award. As we celebrate her impressive achievements, let's reflect on the power of mentorship during National #MentoringMonth. Judith’s contributions remind us of the lasting impact mentorship can have on shaping the future of local government. Join us in honoring Judith’s incredible journey and the importance of mentorship!

Julia D. Novak, ICMA-CM unanimously chosen by the ICMA Executive Board to lead ICMA as its new CEO/Executive Director.   “Julia’s extensive experience as a local government professional, business owner, and senior executive with a passion for public service make her the ideal choice to lead ICMA,” said ICMA President Tanya Ange, ICMA-CM. “Her career demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting local government professionals and advocating for the work they do every day. She understands the importance of meeting the needs of our members, and the Executive Board is confident that ICMA will flourish under her leadership.”   Join us in welcoming Julia Novak as our next CEO/Executive Director as ICMA moves forward in its next chapter of service to our members!

Congratulations to the City of La Marque and the Village of Schaumburg, winners of the #ICMAAwards for Health and Safety! • La Marque, TX: The Safe City Initiative reduced crime by 35%, revitalized neighborhoods, and fostered a thriving housing market through community engagement and innovative funding. • Schaumburg, IL: The Crisis Response and Intervention Program transformed mental health crisis management, integrating social workers into police teams, reducing calls for service by 79%, and enhancing community well-being. Join us in celebrating these groundbreaking initiatives that showcase the transformative power of local government! Cesar Garcia, Brian Townsend, George ( Bill ) Wolf, Shawn Green