Understanding Local Government Compliance

  • By: Brennan Ward
  • September 13, 2022

Local government compliance entails measuring departments’ efforts to uphold the highest levels of integrity. Whichever form the local government takes, the voices of different stakeholders should be heard, and necessary measures are taken to address the community’s interests.

There are various ways local governments can make this process seamless. We discussed some of the impactful ways local governments could improve efficiency by using meeting management. Handling records, approaching laws, dialogue about security concerns, and conducting meetings are some processes local governments follow to serve citizens effectively.

All these require productive meetings. Whether the local government is reshaping the meeting management system or gathering data about sector performance, it’s important to understand the underlying framework of local government compliance and why it matters.

Important Municipal Laws and Regulations 

Various factors such as local government reputation and the risk of scandals increase the call for regulations and compliance. A background of some municipal laws and regulations helps one understand the consequent specifications, policies, and laws. Some of the essential laws and regulations include: 

1. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act applies to all local and state governments. It disqualifies discrimination against people with disability in all public entities, activities, and programs. The associated local government agencies and departments and any other function of local and state governments are included in Title II of the ADA. 

Title II also encompasses the requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The Rehabilitation Act stipulates that local governments should provide coverage for disabled individuals in public transportation whether they receive federal financial assistance or not. All the details regarding transportation, including AMTRAK, are established in the act. In 2010, the ADA was extended to cover how disabled individuals use smart devices and computers. 

2. Business and Zoning Laws 

Local governments use business and zoning laws to regulate the development and use of real estate. By controlling the types of activities that can be carried out in a particular area, local governments can control activities such as waste management, noise levels, air quality, and parking. 

Zoning laws are applicable at the local level. Every local government has established laws and regulations on where certain types of property can be located. Constant review of the zoning laws is important to local governments as well. For instance, local governments are required to pass along any changes to the zoning laws to different stakeholders. Using streamlined communication methods goes a long way in ensuring compliance by investors and residents before they invest in a project. 

3. Property Taxes 

Property taxes refers to the amount paid by property owners, including corporations and organizations. The local government usually levies property taxes. This makes it a crucial municipal law and warrants proper communication and exchange between the local government and property owners. 

As of 2019, state and local governments collected a total of $577 million, or 17% of the total local revenue. Property tax contributes to a significant share of the general local revenue. That’s all the more reason to prioritize proper compliance tools. 

Why are These Laws Important? 

The issuance of the guidelines and establishment of regulations ensures the public understands the local government’s internal workings. These laws must be open to regulatory bodies and, in some cases, the public. The underlying principle is informed citizenry and sovereignty. 

Whether it’s a closed executive session or an ongoing investigation, proceedings must be recorded and the deliberation made accessible. With all these parties involved, it’s important to have a tool that is seamless and flexible to the meeting’s purpose.

Implications of Cybersecurity on Compliance

The advancement in technology has introduced dozens of controls and hundreds of acronyms. The transition has opened doors for cybercriminals and left local governments vulnerable to cyberattacks. 

1. What is Cybersecurity as it Relates to Local Government Compliance? 

With the advent of technology, customers expect to be served frictionlessly and seamlessly. Apps that enable the delivery of products to their doorsteps, automatically pay their bills, and get premium rides sent to their doorstep have called for improvement in other service delivery sectors, including local governments. As more cyberattacks among local governments crop up, cybersecurity has become a part of the local government compliance standards.

2. Why Should Local Governments Care About Cybersecurity? 

Cybersecurity becomes a concern when technology allows citizens to pay their local taxes, check transit schedules, and purchase licenses. Local governments must implement cybersecurity laws with details regarding registration, authorization, and notification to protect citizens. Enough resources should be dedicated to cybersecurity. A good start would include setting up the right digital tools to promote the transparency and security of citizens’ information. 

3. How do Solutions Like eScribe Store and Manage Sensitive Documentation?

Local governments have traditionally offered a different experience. Papers that must be signed and mailed or appointments that must be scheduled only in-person make service delivery slower and cumbersome. Consequently, innovative governments are taking on customer-focused service delivery. Tools such as eScribe offer a solution to store and manage information securely. The eScribe platform helps local governments work toward compliance by staying within the local and state cybersecurity laws. 

Hackers target smaller and vulnerable local governments; eScribe helps plan necessary cybersecurity measures to safeguard citizens’ information. With a compliance-centric mindset, the platform provides neatly packaged solutions that can be integrated into existing toolsets. Moreover, local governments can configure elements that help citizens without overwhelming them with features that might be confusing. 

Leverage Board Management Technology to Drive Government Compliance 

Complying with local rules and regulations goes beyond policies and procedures. Local governments need to establish measures that allow citizens to access all the relevant municipality laws and regulations. Once the important laws have been set up, data and information compliance laws should be revised. Ultimately, placing the right technology is crucial to safety and compliance. No policy or procedure can stop an employee from visiting sketchy websites or cybercriminals from exploiting citizens’ information. The best practice is seamlessly incorporating applicable technology, policies, procedures, and regulations. In collaboration with cybersecurity and local government subject matter experts, eScribe has provided a guide to the new norm for successful civic meetings. Platforms such as eScribe integrate technical and process controls to satisfy all compliance benchmarks. Reach out to us for more detail.