On this episode of Perspective, our guests will share why community engagement matters, who needs to be engaged, and strategies they have found to be successful.

GUESTS:
James Childers, Town Manager, Town of Flower Mound
Steve Williams, City Manager, City of Schertz

In this episode we discuss the implications of the 2019 Texas Property Tax Reform and Transparency Act. Learn how their cities have effectively worked through the legislation to benefit their citizens.

GUESTS
Cliff Keheley, City Manager, City of Mesquite
David Morgan, City Manager, City of Georgetown


LEARN MORE
Property Tax Process Post-Senate Bill 2 (2019) - Explanatory Q&A

Time management and keeping a balanced life is challenging. This episode will provide practical advice and encouragement for new and well-seasoned city management professionals.

GUESTS:
Taylor Lough, Assistant City Manager, City of Anna
Shanna Sims-Bradish, Assistant City Manager, University Park

Generating revenue from traditional sources has become more difficult and cities are turning to alternative ways to fund major infrastructure projects. Grants are a fantastic way to help cities fund these projects, but they often come with strings attached, and those can be a bit tricky. In this episode we talk with two well-seasoned grant recipients to walk us through the process and share their insights.

GUESTS:
Austin Bleess, City Manager, City of Jersey Village
Cesar Garcia, City Manager, City of La Marque

RESOURCES:
https://www.tml.org/201/Grants
https://www.tcma.org/

Finding and keeping talent in municipal government can be a challenge and with cities being unique workplaces, it’s important for city management to be flexible and creative with human resource management. In Season 2, Episode 7, our guests share innovative ways to hire and keep municipal employees.

GUESTS:
Gina Nash, City Manager, City of Sachse
LaShon Ross, Deputy City Manager, City of Plano

To help recruit and prepare a new generation of city managers, TCMA’s City Managers of Tomorrow Committee partners with university programs to tap those interested in a career in the city management profession. This episode will highlight how the how the TCMA Managers in Partnership Program is having a positive impact.

GUESTS:
Corby Alexander, City Manager, City of La Porte and Chair of the City Managers of Tomorrow Committee
Joey Dunn, Deputy City Manager, City of Bryan and TCMA Manager in Partnership for Texas A&M University
Brian Nakamura, Former City Manager and Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University
Teagan Trammell, Student, Texas A&M University, Intern, City of Bryan.

Learn more about the City Managers of Tomorrow Committee on our website.

In 2022, 51 practitioners under the age of 40 came together to discuss how to advance the future of local government. The convening was modeled after the Minnowbrook conferences, which started in 1968 and continued in 1988 and 2018 to reimagine the field of public administration. In this episode, Lauren Rose and Derrick Stanford share their experiences as delegates at the convening. In addition, Mike Land shares his participation in organizing the event and the importance encouraging young professionals to be a part of the conversation.

Guests:

• Mike Land, City Manager, City of Coppell, Organizing Committee Member
• Lauren Rose, Assistant City Manager for the City of Sachse and General Administration Delegate
• Derrick Stanford, Corporal, City of Coppell and Public Safety Delegate

To learn more about Local Government 2030 and to read about the initiatives, visit the Local Gov 2030 website.

In Part 2 of of the episode Perspectives on a Tragedy, Vince DiPiazza, Uvalde City Manager and the 2023 TCMA Administrator of the Year, shares his experience during the mass shooting in Uvalde on May 24, 2022, and his management of the crisis.