Local Government Administration in Small Town America

James C. Clinger is a professor in the Department of Political Science and Sociology and serves as director of the Master of Public Administration program at Murray State University. He teaches courses in state and local government, Kentucky politics, intergovernmental relations, public policy analysis, and public budgeting and finance. Donna M. Handley serves as Master of Public Administration Director and associate professor at Southern Utah University. Prior to her academic career, she served as an assistant director of community development for the City of Auburn, Alabama. Her research interests include online learning, rural community governance and leadership, and women and leadership. Wendy L. Eaton currently serves as the Program Chair of the Master of Public Administration program at Franklin University (Ohio). Prior to her academic career, she served as an assistant city manager and has over twelve years of experience in local government management.

Local Government Administration in Small Town America devotes some overdue scholarly attention to the governance and administration of public programs in small towns and rural communities in the United States.

Part I: Government Structures 1. The Network of Interests, Institutions, and Individual Interactions in Small Town Governance [Case Study: Starting Out as a Professional Administrator in a Small Town] 2. The Origin and Persistence of American County Boundaries: Courthouse Competition and the Road to Reapportionment Part II: Public Functions in Rural Government Systems Subsection: Economic and Community Development 3. Placemaking as an Economic Development Strategy for Rural Governments Subsection: Election Administration 4. The Mechanics of Democracy: The Critical Role of Local Governments in Supporting Election Operations Subsection: Public Budgeting and Finance 5. Public Budgeting in Small Local Governments 6. Using Financial Statements to Improve Fiscal Strength and Make Policy Decisions 7. Small Town Revenues for Big Time Public Services [Case Study: Crowdfunding Local Government: Belmont's Bicycle Sunday Program] Subsection: Healthcare, Parks and Recreation and Wellness 8. Rural Communities and Access to Health Care [Case Study: Maternal Health and the Healthy Start Program] 9. Rural Parks and Recreation: Understanding and Meeting the Needs Subsection: Human Resources 10. Human Resources: Recruitment and Retention in Small Cities and Towns [Case Study: Volunteer Fire Departments in Small Town America] Subsection: Infrastructure and Highway Services 11. Gateway Towns: Loving our Rural Communities to Death Subsection: Nonprofits and Social Services 12. Nonprofit Organizations and Arts Education in a Rural Community 13. Guthrie KY and Civic Engagement: How Small Groups of People Make a Difference Subsection: Technology, Internet, and Broadband Availability 14. The Where of Small-Town Governance: Charting the Path from Technocracy to Democracy 15. Broadband Availability and Adoption in Rural America Subsection: Public Safety and Emergency Management 16. Public Safety in Rural and Small Town America [Case Study: Personal Reflections on Small Town Policing] 17. Challenges in Rural Emergency Management Part III: Partnerships 18. Enhancing Rural Capacity and Public Service Values through Intergovernmental and Intersectoral Collaboration [Case Study: Personal Diplomacy and the Importance of Local Mayoral Networking] 19. Solution or Trouble? Privatization and Rural Governments 20. The Role of Federalism in the Attainment of Collaborative Sustainability Outcomes in Small Communities [Case Study: One Food Basket at a Time: Addressing Food Insecurity] 21. Interlocal Economic Development Collaboration in Rural America: A Case of West Texas Conclusion for Managing Mayberry