Local Elected Officials: Guardians of Good Governance

This book is a practical handbook for local elected officials and those interested in understanding the multiple roles they perform and what it takes to be successful. The book draws on the authors’ nearly 75 years of collective experience in working with local elected officials, serving on governing bodies, and undertaking research on local governing best practices. Good governance at the local level should be a partnership between career administrators and elected officials. The book provides elected officials with governing tools needed to perform their partnership responsibilities in carrying out the following five roles: representing citizens, collegial deliberation and decision making, policy making, organizational oversight, and community-wide leadership. Local Elected Officials concludes with an exceptionally helpful and comprehensive Glossary of key terms and concepts—a handy resource that readers will utilize often. Read more