The Top Three Challenges Local Governments Face

Whether it is the issue of managing public opinion and citizen expectations, to budget constraints and even being able to fill vacant positions, there is always a challenge to remain innovative and effective in the public sector.

In order to best operate and serve the community effectively, local governments must assess the opportunities for development and change their approach to how they conduct business.

Below we discuss the top three challenges facing local government organizations, as well as tips and best practices to implement in your own agency.

1. Mistrust of Government

The Pew Research Center conducted a study that surveyed public trust in government from 1958-2022. The research shows that the national average of American citizens’ trust in government entities has fallen from 73% (1958) to 20% (2022).

Although this analyzes data on a federal level, the reality is that there is a trickle-down effect. A study from Deloitte in November 2020 found that only 26% of respondents trust their local government, and 24% trust the state government.

Local government organizations are implementing programs and initiatives to rebuild trust to better serve their communities. One of the most impactful from local government organizations establishing transparency and information availability.

In public administration, organizations are using customer portals to make sure citizens have access to every transaction and phone call to keep a record of all business transactions. Public safety entities are utilizing many different methods such as community forums, surveys and performance measurement, and incorporating their findings into their daily operations.

The success of building trust relies on the accessibility of information to the public, and creating spaces where organizations and citizens are able to collaborate to improve local government operations.

Watch how CentralSquare customers are using technology to gather and share data to help build community trust and transparency.

2. Recruiting and Retention

Recruiting and retaining staff remains a consistent challenge for local government. From the perspective of retention, there are a couple of factors at play. On one end, the experienced generation of public sector professionals are retiring and leaving the industry; while on the other end, many people are experiencing burnout and pursuing other professions.

As it relates to recruiting, one of the biggest challenges isn’t the number of applicants; however, there is the issue of finding qualified candidates that meet the standards to perform job duties.

The Jefferson County Communications Center Authority (Jeffcom 911) is a great example of how organizations are using innovative methods to help find and train new employees while providing incentives to retain current staff.

Jeffcom 911 has created a remote call-taking program to help dispatch for non-emergency calls. This program reduces the amount of training needed for the dispatch role, and it allows employees to do their job in the comfort of their homes.

Through the remote work initiative, they increased the number of staff in the organization to help address the majority of the calls and separate 911-only and non-emergency calls. Over time, they found that remote employees were interested in transitioning to in-person work and being trained to take emergency calls. This program created a natural cycle of recruiting and increased training to develop their dispatch team.

Other agencies have adopted practices of reaching the younger generation entering the workforce by collaborating with high schools and colleges. Internship programs create an opportunity for visibility and interest in local government jobs, while also giving students a place to develop their professional skillset.

3. Digital Transformation

Local government entities cannot operate efficiently with outdated technology. There are consequences to using antiquated systems such as increased susceptibility to cybersecurity attacks.

Likewise, government organizations cannot effectively serve citizens if their technology isn’t fit to handle modern problems. Take for instance video capabilities in 911 call-taking. The private sector has used video with mobile devices for years; however, utilizing video in public safety is a newer initiative that has not been widely adopted.

Even when it comes to reporting and managing data, there are agencies stuck on legacy systems and manual spreadsheets. More time is spent on collating data than actually handling priority tasks.

The need to have advanced technology in the local government is urgent. CentralSquare offers a host of solutions that give you the tools to improve operations and serve your community in the best way possible.

We provide mission-critical software that helps reduce time spent on workflows and allows you to gain actionable insights and effectively collaborate with agencies and citizens.

Recognizing that budget constraints can be a hindrance to investing in new technology, we offer a grants assistance program that is tailored to your specific needs.

Overcoming The Challenges

You can overcome the challenges facing local government through the power of innovative technology. Simply connect with our team of experts and learn more about what CentralSquare can offer to meet your organization’s unique needs.