How can we heal the breach between citizens and local government? Linda Chapin, county board chairman from Orange County, Fla., believes: "We must reach out in new and innovative ways to understand what our citizens are concerned about. We must respond to needs they believe will help make a better life for them and their children. In other words, those of us in government must put citizens first."
Many counties are working toward citizen participation beyond the ballot box.
In Larimer County, Colo., the board of county commissioners is actively seeking ways to involve citizens, as well as promote the value of public involvement as a fundamental tenant of public policy.
The tools for public involvement include making commission meeting agendas more user-friendly, Internet access, cable TV, professional assistance, staff development and cultural change, policy development, training and reinforcement.
Multnomah County, Ore. created a Citizen Involvement Committee (CIC) to involve, educate, empower and integrate the people of Multnomah County into all aspects of policy and decisionmaking within county government.
The citizen's committee consists of 25 volunteers, nominated by various citizens' organizations, neighborhood associations, neighborhood and district coalitions, and community groups.
The CIC focuses on ways to make government more cost-effective, to promote a positive perception of government operations, to increase the public's knowledge of county activities and officials, and to increase citizen participation. CIC proves that, when given an opportunity to participate, citizens do care about their communities.
Many counties are making strides to increase public participation by encouraging people to assume leadership in improving the services counties provide. Doing so lowers their cost, and encourages creativity and innovation. Involving citizens also requires taking risks that may sometimes result in failure, and respecting the diversity and uniqueness of all individuals that counties work with and serve.
Citizens and local government are the repairer of the breach. As counties continue to reach out, citizens will become more committed.
NACo has recently published "Public Participation Beyond the Ballot Box," five case studies that look at ways counties have incorporated citizen engagement into governing. For a free copy, contact NACo's Public Affairs Department, 440 First St., Washington, DC 20001; phone: 202/942-4256; e-mail: vvickers@naco.org.
(Research News was written by Angela M. Sides, research assistant.)