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Dear Friends of ILG,
This spring, we’ve been reflecting on what we’re seeing and hearing from local leaders across California. Our 2026 Annual Priorities Survey reinforced several key issues: fiscal uncertainty, workforce challenges, and increasing regulatory pressures continue to shape the environment in which local governments operate. These issues are often intertwined, affecting not just budgets and staffing, but the ability to plan, adapt, and meet community expectations. At ILG, we are using these insights to guide our approach to helping you navigate this complex landscape. Our goal is to ensure you have access to the tools, training, and peer networks that help you respond to immediate needs while planning for the future.
With the 2026 election cycle on the horizon, we’ve updated our ballot measure best practices resources to help guide your efforts. These materials offer clear, practical guidance on what public agencies can and cannot do when engaging around ballot measures. We hope they help you communicate about your ballot measures effectively while remaining compliant with legal requirements. Stay tuned for even more resources throughout 2026, across all four pillars of our work.
As Earth Day approaches on April 22, we also want to highlight the progress many of you are making in sustainability and climate action. Get the distinction your agency deserves by applying for a Beacon Award! The application period for our annual Beacon Awards is now open through June 30 at 5 PM. This award program is a great way to share your innovative work and learn from peers who are tackling similar challenges across the state.
We look forward to seeing many of you at the Cal Cities City Leaders Summit later this month. These in-person conversations are invaluable, and we welcome the opportunity to hear directly about the challenges you’re facing and how ILG can support you through education, training, and resources.
In this newsletter, you’ll find a wide range of training programs, news, and resources designed to support your work.
In gratitude,
Erica L. Manuel
CEO & Executive Director
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Your Agency Can Now Apply for a 2026 Beacon Award
ILG's Beacon Program helps local agencies understand the actions they can take — from clean energy to efficient transportation, adaptation planning, community engagement, and more — to reduce emissions, save energy, and build resilience.
Our annual Beacon Vanguard, Spotlight, and Leadership & Innovation awards recognize voluntary actions of cities/towns and counties to undertake climate and sustainability programming. Agencies that earn an award in each of the five Spotlight categories will receive the Beacon Vanguard Award. Whether your agency is a Beacon Program participant or not, you are invited to submit an innovative project, program, plan, or policy your agency has implemented for Leadership & Innovation Award consideration.
All 2026 Beacon Award applications are due Tuesday, June 30 by 5 PM.
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We Are Expanding Our Network of Leadership & Governance Consultants
Across California, many public agencies are experiencing strained relationships between governing bodies and executive staff, increased conflict in decision-making environments, and a broader erosion of public trust in institutions.
At ILG, we're seeking to expand our network of credible, neutral practitioners who can partner with local leaders to improve governance, rebuild relationships, and restore trust. We are now inviting experienced independent consultants from across California to submit proposals to enter into a Master Services Agreement (MSA) to support ILG’s Leadership & Governance pillar.
View/download the Request for Proposals on our website.
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Meet the Bridge Public Sector Apprenticeship Statewide Advisory Panel
To further advance the important work of expanding non-traditional Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) in cities, counties, and special districts across California, the Institute for Local Government and its grant implementation partners have established a cross-sector Bridge Public Sector Apprenticeship Statewide Advisory Panel ("Bridge SAP").
This SAP, comprised of key leaders and practitioners of registered apprenticeships, will bridge the gap between employers, learners, and training providers in local government. It brings together experts from local government, community colleges, labor, philanthropy, the state, and workforce development to guide implementation of public sector RAPs throughout California, help address barriers and challenges, and create long-term strategies for sustainable public sector RAPs.
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ILG Board Member Pat Martel Honored As a Local Gov 250 Champion
Please join us in congratulating ILG Board Member Pat Martel for being named a Local Gov 250 "Government Champion"!
Per Local Gov 250: "These individuals are currently working (or recently retired) in government who exemplify 'democracy at the doorstep' through dedication, innovation, and the highest sense of public service." For those who know Pat, you know that is an apt description of what she has accomplished in her career and who she is as a person. Thank you for your ongoing contributions to ILG and congratulations on this well-deserved distinction, Pat!
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Save the Date! Upcoming Webinar on Public Sector Apprenticeships
Monday, April 27 | 10:30 AM – 12 PM
"From Policy to Practice: How Public Agencies Are Making Apprenticeships Work"
Public sector apprenticeships are gaining momentum, but they don't build themselves. This moderated panel brings together employers, intermediaries, labor representatives, and practitioners from across California's public sector to share what's working, what's not, and what it takes to build and sustain a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP).
In partnership with the State of California's Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) and the Interagency Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship (IACA) — and timed to coincide with National Apprenticeship Week 2026 — this conversation is designed for practitioners and stakeholders who want real talk, not just inspiration. ILG will notify you once the webinar registration opens soon.
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Are You Up to Date on Your Ethics Training Requirement?
As of January 1, 2026, Senate Bill 827 (SB 827) enacted two changes to the state-mandated ethics training requirement for local officials of California cities/towns, counties, and special districts:
1. It expands the ethics training requirement to "department heads or similar administrators of local agencies, including educational agencies."
2. All local agency officials must now complete an ethics training course within six months of being hired versus the previous timeline of 12 months.
ILG offers two, one-hour self-study exercises as an option for local officials to satisfy AB 1234 ethics training requirements. For questions regarding ILG self-study or in-person compliance certificates, please contact ILG at 916-658-8208 or EthicsMailbox@ca-ilg.org.
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Don't Miss Out on the 2026 Stanford Local Governance Summer Institute (LGSI@Stanford)
Sunday, July 19 – Friday, July 24
ILG is a proud partner and on the Advisory Committee of Stanford University’s Local Governance Summer Institute (LGSI), which offers city managers, county executives, regional directors, and other senior local government officials the opportunity to exchange and acquire tools for improving local government performance. This intensive, one-week program strengthens individual capacities in public finance, negotiating and strategic planning skills, all while introducing participants to innovative solutions and technological advances in the world of California local government.
LGSI is currently accepting applications for this year’s cohort, scheduled for July 19–24. Apply online to secure your spot. We hope to see you there!
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Check Out Our Updated Resources
To better assist local agencies as they navigate the updates to open meeting laws, and prepare for the upcoming election cycle, we have updated the following publications:
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Stay tuned for additional updates in the coming months focused on community engagement, orientation materials for newly elected officials, ethics laws, and more!
| | ILG AFFILIATE UPDATES & EVENTS | | |
It’s the Final Week to Apply for a Cal Cities Helen Putnam Award
Has your city found innovative, improved, or efficient ways to help residents thrive, enhance public services, or strengthen public trust? Then you should apply for a Cal Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence!
The annual program honors outstanding work by member cities across the state in 12 categories. Entries must be submitted online by Thursday, April 9 at 5 PM.
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6th Edition of the Cal Cities Municipal Revenue Sources Handbook Now Available
The California Municipal Revenue Sources Handbook is an essential resource for any official involved in local government finance in California. The sixth edition of the California Municipal Revenue Sources Handbook is now available — fully updated and designed to meet the needs of today’s complex municipal finance environment.
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Submit Your MMANC Annual Conference Session Proposals By April 26
The Municipal Management Association of Northern California’s (MMANC) Annual Conference will take place September 28–30 in Yosemite. This year’s theme is “Navigating Change, Leading with Purpose,” with the aim of helping attendees reconnect, recharge, and reimagine local government leadership.
MMANC is now accepting conference session proposals across four different career-stage tracks until Sunday, April 26 at 11:59 PM.
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Submit Your MMASC Annual Conference Session Proposals By July 7
The Municipal Management Association of Southern California’s (MMASC) Annual Conference will take place October 28–30 in San Diego. This year’s theme, “Built to Last: Resilient Communities, Courageous Leadership,” will explore how leaders and communities can adapt, innovate, and lead with courage in the face of evolving challenges.
Submit a Keynote Presentation or a Breakout Session through MMASC’s website
by Tuesday, July 7.
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Volunteers Needed for the 2026 ICMA Annual Conference in Long Beach
The 2026 International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Annual Conference is coming to Long Beach from October 17–21. ICMA is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to play a vital role in creating a seamless, welcoming, and inspiring experience for local government professionals from across the country. If you’re passionate about public service and community engagement, this is a fantastic way to get involved. Please complete the volunteer interest form by Friday, July 24.
| | ILG PARTNER NEWS, UPDATES & EVENTS | | |
Learn the Latest Legal News in CHW’s Winter 2026 Newsletter
Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley has published their Winter 2026 Newsletter. This issue includes articles on video streaming taxes, a statute mandating local policies limiting cooperation with ICE, a cleanup to last year’s big warehouse bill, and a new proposal to require mobile network providers to make their services more resilient in the face of natural disasters.
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RGS Offers Insights on the Necessity of Succession Planning
“Succession planning in local government is not a luxury — it is a strategic imperative.” In this Regional Government Services article, the COO of RGS outlines five long-term benefits of workforce succession planning and a six-step roadmap for cities and counties to follow.
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Follow ILG on LinkedIn and Facebook to see
the latest articles and reports that interested us
To inform our efforts across all four pillars of work, our team is constantly learning about new local government research, data, trends, and topics.
If you follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook, you'll see us posting the pieces that caught our eye. We hope you find some inspiration from these shares as well!
| | SUPPORTING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN THE FIELD | | |
Subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter to see
the ILG team out and about in March!
Our team goes everywhere in California to promote good government at the local level, and we take some great photos while we're at it.
We now have a dedicated space for those visuals, all while streamlining this monthly newsletter a bit more to focus on the education, training, resources, and thought leadership you need to face the complexities of your roles.
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