Polco's Top 10 Articles of 2023

by Jessie O'Brien on January 2, 2024

polco top articles 2023

Take a look back at Polco's most popular articles in the past year.

Looking at local government’s most-read articles of the year is a fascinating opportunity to identify major themes of the past year. At Polco, the majority of most-read articles center on how organizations can take on big challenges, from unlocking the secret to employee retention to rethinking budgeting strategies.

These stories reflect just how much the public sector needs to evolve, and how local governments are meeting that need through community engagement and data-driven decision-making.

10. The Secret Ingredient to Employee Retention

This article delves into one of Polco's most popular webinars of the year, which unveils the key to staff retention. Get data showcasing the current strengths of local government workplaces and areas for improvement. Learn how government leaders leverage engagement to boost employee satisfaction—the main driver of employee retention.

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9. Why It's So Hard For Small Cities to Get Grant Funding

Securing grant funding remains an uphill battle for small local governments, plagued by short notice, limited dedicated staff, and complex processes. In this piece, a seasoned grant writer shares insights into the obstacles local governments face when it comes to grant funding and proposes actionable solutions.

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8. How a City Built Without Sidewalks Won an Award for Mobility

Cape Coral, Florida, is a distinctive canal-woven community that was originally built without sidewalks. Over the years, the city undertook numerous sidewalk and bikeland projects to improve pedestrian travel. The city's commitment to resident feedback earned them a Voice of the People Award for their transformative efforts in improving mobility.

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7. Largo Successfully Allocates ARPA Funds Based on Residents' Critical Needs

Largo, Florida, embarked on a comprehensive community engagement program to determine the best use of Covid relief dollars. Utilizing a robust engagement cycle, the city allocated $650,000 to local nonprofits, addressing critical needs identified through community feedback.

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6. Small Cities Can Use Grant Funds to Purchase Polco for Data Collection

Data collection poses a significant challenge for small cities due to financial constraints. This article highlights how the Village of Flanagan utilized an economic recovery grant to purchase Polco. Polco gave the Village essential data to put together a thoughtful economic recovery plan.

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5. Five Ways To Become a Data-Driven Government

As the emphasis on data-driven decision-making in the public sector grows, local governments may find it challenging to know how to get started. Polco's Principal Research Strategist, Michelle Kobayashi, outlines five practical ways for local governments to embark on their data-driven journey.

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4. What City Leaders Should Focus On Most in 2024

This popular article unveils the top priorities city leaders believe local governments should focus on in the upcoming year. With rapid transformations, demographic shifts, and technological advancements, discover the key considerations shaping the agenda for 2024.

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3. Three Creative Ways Local Govs Used Resident Feedback To Take Action

Community engagement takes center stage as government officials experiment with innovative approaches. Explore how the City of Gardena, California, tackled homelessness; how Morro Bay, California, involved residents in selecting a new police chief; and how Eagan, Minnesota, incorporated feedback in developing a sustainability initiative.

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2. Why We Need To Rethink Budgeting: Interview With Mark Funkhouser

Former mayor and thought-leader Mark Funkhouser is a major advocate for the Rethinking Budgeting movement, a push to innovate local government budget processes. This multimedia article shares Funkhouser's insights on the need for better budgeting for longer-lasting and more effective community outcomes.

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1. Balancing Act Joins Polco To Bring Community Engagement to New Heights

The year's most-read article unveiled a huge announcement from early 2023—Polco joining forces with the Balancing Act. Now Polco offers more interactive tools that redefine how residents engage with local governments. From the Taxpayer Receipt tool to budget balancing simulations, this partnership forms an end-to-end participatory decision-making experience.

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