Linking Community Development and Disaster Resiliency: An Exploratory Study of County Government Agencies in Central Florida

2021 ◽  
pp. 123-142
Keyword(s):  
Community Development ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
County Government ◽  
County Governments ◽  
Central Florida ◽  
Community Resiliency ◽  
Building Community ◽  
Original Survey

Building community resiliency requires input on community development initiatives from a variety of functional units of a local government. There is little evidence, however, of whether the types of agencies that are responsible for disaster planning and mitigation are involved in community development activities for the purpose of improving community resiliency. This exploratory study examines agency involvement in community development subfields, designing community development tools, and participation in community planning processes for the purposes of building community resiliency. The results of mean-t tests, based on data collected from an original survey of Central Florida (USA) county governments, provides preliminary evidence of differences between planning agencies and agencies that are focused on operations and logistics. The findings suggest local governments should consider roles and integration mechanisms to ensure participation of agencies in community development efforts to improve disaster resiliency.

county government finance practices: What independent auditors are finding and what makes local government susceptible

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 558-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Modlin
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
County Government ◽  
Audit Process ◽  
Efficient Manner ◽  
County Governments ◽  
Inaccurate Data ◽  
Financial Audit ◽  
State Oversight

The financial audit process has provided much transparency into the internal control structure and the ability of local governments to remain fiscally stable. The outcomes of many of these audits have provided much information regarding the ability of local governments to provide services in a timely and efficient manner. Even with the implementation of stricter legislation and more stringent accounting standards in addition to an increased level of state oversight, irregular practices and mismanagement continue to occur. This study examines the independent auditor findings in professionally administered governments in North Carolina. Findings indicate numerous reporting problems within a majority of county governments ranging from internal control problems to reconciliation issues that are required to be addressed for information users that question the sustainability of the unit. Lengthy audits processes, less expensive audits and smaller governments that do not have the ability to employ more accountants or accounting specialists are among the factors that increase the probability of reporting problems and inaccurate data.

Don’t You Want My Help? Volunteer Involvement and Management in Local Government

2021 ◽  
pp. 027507402110023
Author(s):  
Jeffrey L. Brudney ◽  
Nara Yoon
Keyword(s):  
Local Governments ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Auxiliary Information ◽  
Bachelor's Degree ◽  
County Government ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
County Governments ◽  
Capita Spending ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Response Biases

The global COVID-19 health pandemic has put extraordinary pressure on already fiscally strapped local governments. As local jurisdictions search for strategies to meet rising service expectations with declining resources, use of volunteers would seem to offer significant advantages. This study examines the involvement of volunteers to deliver services in all county governments in one U.S. state, as well as the factors that explain the extent of use of this service approach. Our analysis is based on information collected from a survey of county government officials working in 10 service domains, supplemented by demographic and other data drawn from a variety of sources. To arrive at valid estimates of volunteer involvement in the delivery of county services, we introduce a novel methodology that corrects our survey data for possible sample and response biases based on a calibration estimator using auxiliary information. The results of our inquiry reveal a higher use of volunteers to deliver services by county governments than suggested by the literature. The findings show, moreover, that counties with higher per capita income, greater percentage of residents attaining a bachelor’s degree or higher formal education, and lower unemployment are likely to involve volunteers in the delivery of more services, as are those county governments with greater per capita spending and per capita property tax revenues. These results have important implications in regard to the capacity of local governments to use volunteers, which we treat in the Discussion.

scholarly journals Increasing Creasing Transparency and Efficiency: An Examination of County Government Note Disclosures

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Modlin
Keyword(s):  
Local Governments ◽  
Insurance Coverage ◽  
Internal Controls ◽  
Fiscal Year ◽  
County Government ◽  
Audit Process ◽  
County Governments ◽  
State Laws ◽  
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ◽  
The Many

Local government financial audits have provided increased transparency into the many transactions that take place over an entire fiscal year. In many of these cases, it can be determined if local governments have followed state laws, observed generally accepted accounting principles, and established proper internal controls. However, implementation of stricter state guidelines and more stringent accounting standards have not eliminated reporting errors. For these reasons, notes that accompany financial statements are not only useful for clarification and information purposes, but also to question various reporting aspects among statements. This study examines the fiscal year 2009 independent auditor findings among note disclosures in professionally administered county governments in North Carolina. Findings indicate numerous reporting problems within a majority of county governments ranging from employee retirement funding to inadequate insurance coverage and unexplained asset amounts. A more involved county manager, more internal staff dedicated to the audit process, and collaboration in auditor selection are all significant in reducing the number of note disclosure errors.

County Government Reform in Urbanizing China

2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 353-371
Author(s):  
Qingshan Tan
Keyword(s):  
Local Governments ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Local Politics ◽  
Local Governance ◽  
County Government ◽  
Government Reform ◽  
Housing Provision ◽  
County Governments ◽  
Goods And Services

Many rising issues, such as urbanization, migration, social equality, housing, provision of public goods and services, are presenting the greatest challenge to county governments. In order to effectively tackle those social issues, the central government has delegated greater power and responsibility to local governments, particularly county governments. This paper seeks to address the following question: Does empowering county government improve local governance in rapidly urbanizing China? By answering the question, this study evaluates the effects of decentralization of the central policy regarding urbanization and governance at the county level, and addresses the issue of how empowering county government could improve local governance in rapidly urbanizing China. Keywords: • local politics • self-government • county reform • urbanization

Examining Impacts of COVID-19-Related Stay-At-Home Orders through a Two-Way Random Effects Model

2021 ◽  
pp. 036119812110469
Author(s):  
Anshu Bamney ◽  
Hisham Jashami ◽  
Sarvani Sonduru Pantangi ◽  
Jayson Ambabo ◽  
Megat-Usamah Megat-Johari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Random Effects ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
The United States ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Random Effects Model ◽  
Public Health And Safety ◽  
Over Time ◽  
At Home

The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching impacts on public health and safety, economics, and the transportation system. To reduce the spread of this disease, federal and local governments around the world have introduced stay-at-home orders and other restrictions on travel to “non-essential” businesses to implement social distancing. Preliminary evidence suggests substantial variability in the impacts of these orders in the United States, both across states and over time. This study examines this issue using daily county-level vehicle miles traveled (VMT) data for the 48 continental U.S. states and the District of Columbia. A two-way random effects model is estimated to assess changes in VMT from March 1 to June 30, 2020 as compared with baseline January travel levels. The implementation of stay-at-home orders was associated with a 56.4 percent reduction in VMT on average. However, this effect was shown to dissipate over time, which may be attributable to “quarantine fatigue.” In the absence of full shelter-in-place orders, travel was also reduced where restrictions on select businesses were introduced. For example, restrictions on entertainment, indoor dining, and indoor recreational activities corresponded to reductions in VMT of 3 to 4 percent while restrictions on retail and personal care facilities showed 13 percent lower traffic levels. VMT was also shown to vary based on the number of COVID case reports, as well as with respect to other characteristics, including median household income, political leanings, and how rural the county was in nature.

Connecting Theory With Practice: The Institutional Evolvement of U.S. Counties Functioning as Regional Service Providers

2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (8) ◽  
pp. 808-821 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jayce L. Farmer
Keyword(s):  
Service Provision ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Institutional Arrangements ◽  
County Government ◽  
Home Rule ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Government Structure ◽  
County Governments ◽  
Regional Service

This study extends the literature on county government structure by examining the three basic forms of county governments and their long-term effects on regional service spending. An examination of 1,532 U.S. counties between 1977 and 2012 reveals that those with the commission government form produce on average less regional service spending than those with reformed government structures. Examining the two major distinctions in reformed government types reveals that elected executive governments spend on average more than those with the commission-administrator form. However, the amount of increase for elected executive spending was very minor. The findings also reveal that the ability to establish home rule charters alters the effects of government structure for commission and commission-administrator counties. Meanwhile, charter-enabling laws matter little regarding the effects for elected executive counties. The analytical results lead to four major points for consideration regarding the link between county service provision and county institutional arrangements.

scholarly journals Understanding the Influence and Effects of Devolution on Agricultural Development: A Case Study of Garissa County, Kenya

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 110-114
Author(s):  
Hussein Abdi Ali ◽  
Salah Abdirahaman Farah
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
County Government ◽  
Department Of Agriculture ◽  
County Governments ◽  
The Public ◽  
Agriculture Sector ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Research Findings

The Agriculture sector in Kenya is as important as the country. Much of the agricultural function was transferred to the devolved units when the new constitution was passed by Kenyans and promulgated. The question many are asking is, have county governments initiated strategies in place to improve food security and ultimately contribute to the economy. Agriculture is the major contributor of our economy today. Kenya needs to be a self-sufficient country and feed its people. County governments have a huge role in ensuring this objective achieved. Based on this, a research title is proposed “Understanding the influence and effects of devolution on agricultural development: A case study of Garissa county, Kenya” The research seeks to clarify to the public and the other stakeholders concerned if actually devolved units have done anything to improve the agricultural sector since its inception. Have county governments put clear, achievable and practical strategies for this sector to grow and how best can counties improve this important sector. The research findings will be very helpful to those who are involve in the agricultural sector, directly or indirectly. The research objectives are; to compare performance of agriculture before and after devolution, to evaluate the achievements of devolution in the agricultural sector, to analyse the challenges faced by county governments in developing this sector, to examine the perception of the public on the best strategies to improve agriculture in Kenya and to give synthesised recommendations to all stakeholders. The research was conducted within Garissa County, four out of the six sub counties. A total of 310 respondents were engaged ranging from farmers, the general public and the staff of the county government The research found out that there is a gap in the sector that needs attention. Agricultural production, although remained steadfast over the years, has been in deplorable situation. The research findings is helpful to all stakeholders-both levels of governments, farmers, the public and non-state actors.  The research commends that the County governments should use bottom-up approach strategy when making critical decision affecting the department. This will aid them obtain raw and unbiased information for action. The department of agriculture experts should be deployed to all sub counties (at the grassroots). 95 percent of these staff stay at county headquarters doing nothing. Their presence at the villages, farms will come in handy or the farmers. People with experience and experts should be employed to spearhead this exercise. Routine visits should be made to the farming areas.

scholarly journals Policy of Ulama Consultative Council in Government Politics at Lhokseumawe

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 387-395
Author(s):  
Muhammad Muhammad ◽  
Sukiman Sukiman ◽  
Irwansyah Irwansyah
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Community Development ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
The Public ◽  
And Function ◽  
Government Development

The aim of this research is to know the roles and the functions of Ulama Consultative Council in Government at Lhokseumawe, Aceh, Sumatera. The method is used qualitative research to get and to develop the data and result. The result is found that the role of the Ulama Consultative Council in government politics in Lhokseumawe City can be grouped into two forms, namely the role of consideration and function in establishing legal edicts. Ulama Consultative Council functions optimally in providing consideration / suggestions / suggestions to local governments. The function of determining legal edicts, where Ulama Consultative Council oversees the administration of government, development and community development, then the results of supervision can be issued in the form of legal edicts submitted to local governments and also disseminated to the public.

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