I’ve noticed:
Rising Concerns About PFAS/PFOA – This family of chemicals is a burgeoning source of concern that may affect agencies who operate their own water systems and/or whose water supplies are at risk. Expect a huge demand for activated carbon and overall increases to the cost of water in the coming 24 months. As standards are tweaked, technologies vetted and solutions implemented, agencies will need to adapt.
Read ‘Avoiding Murky Waters: Tips for Communicating About PFAS,’ our latest TS Insights on this matter.
Retaining Local Control of Land Use – SB 50 died, but as Anthony Gonsalves recently quoted his father, “The bill may have died but the author didn’t.” There will be further attempts to wrest local control of land use in the name of housing affordability. Cities will ardently look to address housing affordability.
Addressing Homelessness – The Governor made homelessness the only issue in his State of the State Address. He focused on new legal rights and sprinkled in some cooperation goals among the State, counties and cities. We can already see a handful of cities, like Bellflower, Tustin, Vallejo and Manteca making progress to address homelessness. Other cities will watch and learn from them, but I expect to see an increased call for carrots and sticks from Sacramento: build shelters and enforce no camping rules. There may perhaps be a move for greater authority to push services
on the homeless.
Anticipating the Next Recession – Everything has its cycle, including the economy, and we have been cruising along for 10 years of economic growth. Although no one can predict when it will happen, we can expect and plan for a downturn eventually (perhaps sooner rather than later given potential impacts of Coronavirus). When that happens, some public agencies will face drops in sales tax and other revenue streams. Pitched battles loom over sustainable budgets.
Implementing AB5 and PERS Employee Definitions – AB5 and the PERS pose impending issues for public agencies with private contracting relationships. Both public agencies and the private companies who work with them have a huge interest in a workable definition of contracting. Private contracting relationships are a critical part of public agency services. The folks at Renne Public Law Group and Renne Public Policy Group are deep into these matters and presented at the LoCC City Managers Conference.
Navigating Insurance Costs – Juries are finding reasons–sane or otherwise–to award large sums of money in lawsuits against public agencies. The concept is called “social inflation” in the risk management world and it continues to drive up the cost of insurance. Experts have noted the insurance market is becoming increasingly hesitant to write policies in California. This places a greater emphasis on prevention and risk avoidance, as well as implementation of training programs to reduce risk.
Addressing Smart City Implementation – Since 2000, we have heard about the dawn of the smart, connected city, but we are only now really starting to see these technologies unfold more broadly. Advanced by the purchase of street light systems by cities a couple years ago, the implementation of smart technologies on thousands of light poles could change connectivity in cities. Keep an eye on Lancaster and San Leandro’s efforts in this arena.
Census Count – The Census results will affect funding and representation. Public agencies are investing heavily in outreach to ensure the count is accurate. Each person counted represents thousands of tax dollars returning to California.
CVRA – The California Voting Rights Act continues to rumble through local government agencies. Well over 100 cities have had to convert to by-district elections, and the trend will not abate soon. Plus, once the Census completes, new data will be released and lines redrawn for the next decade. The big legal costs, political dynamics and potential for balkanization of by-district elections may create local political distractions and change that competes with the need for cities to address Sacramento’s expanding reach.
Of course, as we hit “send” on this email, Coronavirus looms large and could shove all these issues to the back burner.
Public agencies are addressing issues in innovative ways that align with the priorities of the public they serve and the distinct circumstances they face in their communities. That is the beauty of local government: government that is closest to the people. As cities move to address these concerns they will create Putnam Award-worthy solutions that will
benefit all of us.
I look forward to working together and learning from our friends in local government in the coming months.
Onward to the Challenges,
