Cash economic development incentives are widely used by local governments to induce companies to locate in their jurisdictions. A 2006 survey indicated that more than 40% of North Carolina local governments employ cash incentives for business recruitment. And yet, no statute contains language specifically authorizing cash incentive payments. G.S.

Cash economic development incentives are widely used by local governments to induce companies to locate in their jurisdictions. A 2006 survey indicated that more than 40% of North Carolina local governments employ cash incentives for business recruitment. And yet, no statute contains language specifically authorizing cash incentive payments. G.S.

There is reason to believe that an employee of the city has broken into a pharmacy to steal prescription drugs.  There are reports that a public school teacher has touched female students in a terribly inappropriate way.  It appears that a county inspections employee may have exploited money from a permit applicant in exchange for favorable treatment.

There is reason to believe that an employee of the city has broken into a pharmacy to steal prescription drugs.  There are reports that a public school teacher has touched female students in a terribly inappropriate way.  It appears that a county inspections employee may have exploited money from a permit applicant in exchange for favorable treatment.

This guy is a bad employee.  His work is poor.  His conduct around other people is objectionable.  You (that is, the city or the county or other public employer) would be better off without him. You could just fire him.  Grounds for dismissal seem reasonably clear.  But firing someone is so distasteful.  And it can be time consuming and awkward.  Will there be a hearing?  And maybe an appeal?  No, you think, it would be better not just for you but for him, too, if he would simply resign.  After all, who wants a record of dismissal in their personnel file?

This guy is a bad employee.  His work is poor.  His conduct around other people is objectionable.  You (that is, the city or the county or other public employer) would be better off without him. You could just fire him.  Grounds for dismissal seem reasonably clear.  But firing someone is so distasteful.  And it can be time consuming and awkward.  Will there be a hearing?  And maybe an appeal?  No, you think, it would be better not just for you but for him, too, if he would simply resign.  After all, who wants a record of dismissal in their personnel file?

In a recent post, I discussed two ways through which a local government may save money over time to fund capital projects. The first is through fund balance and the second is by establishing a capital reserve fund. I received several follow-up questions about capital reserve funds that may be of interest to local government officials, including the following:

In a recent post, I discussed two ways through which a local government may save money over time to fund capital projects. The first is through fund balance and the second is by establishing a capital reserve fund. I received several follow-up questions about capital reserve funds that may be of interest to local government officials, including the following:

In areas experiencing urban growth and development, two questions often arise for local governments.  Do we have the capacity to provide necessary public facilities to serve this development?  If not, how are we going to pay for the needed additional facilities?

In areas experiencing urban growth and development, two questions often arise for local governments.  Do we have the capacity to provide necessary public facilities to serve this development?  If not, how are we going to pay for the needed additional facilities?