Examines political realities in municipal management Running City Hall studies the history and growth of American cities, their legal status, relationships with other governments, city politics, and financing. From the impact of AIDS to performance zoning, the second edition covers such vital topics as electoral systems, administration, municipal unionism, public safety, social services, and planning. Balanced and thorough, this readable and timely work will be welcomed by practitioners, students, and everyone who seeks to understand the American city.

Due to state and federally mandated programs, local governments are increasingly resorting to innovative and alternative means of performing their functions because taxpayers are becoming more resistant to tax increases. Certain conditions need to exist for governmental innovation to be possible. This work explores these situations, using case studies in local government to discuss in detail innovative programs in risk management, zoning, stormwater management, public safety, housing, and governmental format.