GIF Priorities


*GIF Staff:* Dean Katerndahl Program Director Rita Parker Regional Purchasing Cooperative Program Coordinator	MARC Home > Government Innovations Forum > Priorities Government Innovations Forum 2006 Agenda Each year the Managers' Roundtable sits down to assess what priorities to focus on in the coming year. These priorities fall into three general categories: manager support, cooperative initiatives, and building regional capacity. The 2006 agenda is a continuation or expansion of 2005 projects and the development of several new initiatives. City/County Manager Support Continue to facilitate communication with and between city and county managers through such mechanisms as a monthly newsletter, periodic luncheons and working meetings, through e-mail, brief surveys and research. Continue to identify and develop information resources for local government managers. Work with managers and assistants to identify common issues, regional initiatives, and research topics. Organize an annual conference series in partnership with the Government Training Institute and the Kansas City Chapter of ASPA on the future of local governments. Work with the MARC Public Affairs office and the Regional Association of Public Information Officers (RAPIO) in implementing a public relations campaign focused on developing public understanding of key issues facing local governments. Develop a research and education agenda around the issue of the changing nature of local government revenue and how local governments can cope with these changes, including restructuring functions. Research may include such issues as sales tax and the Internet, telecommunication-related revenue, and examining the impact the changing economy has had on the local government tax system. Develop a research, discussion, and information-sharing agenda around the issue of retail development and the role of local government. This initiative may include the development of tools to allow local governments to share information on how they handle retail developments, such as development agreements, and the tax incentives often expected by developers. Research and education may include the nature and future of retail development and its impact on local governments and how local governments might influence this development to the best interests of their communities. Cooperative Initiatives Expand and consolidate the work of the Kansas City Regional Purchasing Cooperative. Develop coop contracts, expand use of the Houston-Galveston Area Council contracts, expand use of the Contract Database, and execute new contract-sharing agreements with other purchasing cooperatives. Of critical importance is establishing the financial self-sufficiency of the purchasing cooperative. Explore with managers the establishment of additional common services; including the provision of certain seldom used highly technical positions, such as elevator inspector; joint contracting for shared services, such as computer support; and other cooperative programs such as sharing equipment and lease-purchase financing. Regional Capacity Building Implement and expand the First Suburbs Coalition program. Develop housing remodeling resources and begin investigation into retail and infrastructure initiatives. Coordinate MARC's regional housing initiative, More Choices in More Places. The MARC housing initiative will work closely with the Housing Choice Coalition. A principal objective of the program is to assist the region in developing a regional housing policy and facilitate the development of a model local government housing policy. This activity will overlap with the First Suburbs Coalition, especially with regard to modernizing post-WW II homes. Guide research at MARC into regional citizen engagement. Particularly strategies and practices for effectively engaging citizens on regional issues. Work with local governments and the MARC Board to reassess MARC's governing structure. New! Determine the feasibility of establishing a health care access policy forum. New! Assist in development of a regional project to better align regional and local plans. New! Develop a strategy to improve coordination in the region among criminal justice agencies and programs.

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