Small cities differ from their larger counterparts, facing unique issues and challenges.
This resource manual is meant to make life a little easier around city hall. Use it as an ongoing reference and as a tool to help orient newly elected or appointed officials and staff in our state’s smaller cities and towns. The manual does not provide exhaustive information on specific topics or legal advice. Instead, it provides a brief overview of key topics, outlining the most important considerations.
While this manual is designed primarily for officials serving cities with populations under 5,000, it contains information relevant to cities of all sizes. Feel free to contact AWC for assistance in identifying additional resources for your city or town.
Small City Resource Manual – Full document
Chapter 1: Overview of a city
Chapter 2: Leadership and management
Chapter 3: Successful city councils
Chapter 4: Planning your city’s future
Chapter 5: Ethics, open government, and fairness: Staying on the right side of the law
Chapter 6: Municipal budgeting and fiscal management
Chapter 7: Human resources and labor relations
Chapter 8: Public safety and emergency management
Chapter 9: Public works and infrastructure
Chapter 10: Comprehensive planning, growth management and environmental protection
Resources