Two different public servants, two different jobs, but the same idea. If you want to know where your money goes and how government spends it, work for your city.

Stephanie Harden, Council Bluffs Accounting Manager, said she learns a lot about city government every time she writes a check. Sarah Snitker, Waukon City Clerk, says she understands a lot more about how cities operate now that she works for city government.

IowaLeague.org
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Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow
Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin
Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic
Editor: Jason Stershic

As mayor of the city of Truro, population 515, Bryan Arzani has to dig in on almost every issue. Listen to him talk about the challenges of running a small city and how he works with a small staff and a tight budget. And there may be a new judge in the Truro barbecue cook-off.

IowaLeague.org
Iowa League of Cities on Facebook
Iowa League of Cities on YouTube
Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow
Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin
Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic
Editor: Jason Stershic

City Administrator Ondrea Elmquist joins the show to talk about the new Daisy Brand plant coming to Boone. The company is spending over $1 billion on the new facility and it has a spillover effect on the area.

IowaLeague.org
Iowa League of Cities on Facebook
Iowa League of Cities on YouTube
Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow
Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin
Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic
Editor: Jason Stershic

Two city leaders, Devin Quindel, the utility billing clerk in Polk City who has been on the job for just two years, and Bruce Visser, the mayor of Atkins for over eight years, both said the same thing. Be prepared to learn new things. And be open to it. And the mayor added, attend Iowa League of Cities conferences.

IowaLeague.org
Iowa League of Cities on Facebook
Iowa League of Cities on YouTube
Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow
Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin
Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic
Editor: Jason Stershic

Want to help guide your city into the future, be a city manager. That's how Matthew Schmitz, city manager of Independence, sees his job. Tim Kasparek of Tiffin, says as mayor, he realized that his vision for his city may not be shared by everyone. But he says, as long as you just do your best for your community, the city will move forward.

IowaLeague.org
Iowa League of Cities on Facebook
Iowa League of Cities on YouTube
Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow
Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin
Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic
Editor: Jason Stershic

Listen twice as much as you talk, that's good advice from Mount Vernon Mayor Tom Wieseler. The mayor talked about how collaboration makes a city stronger and that "no" sometimes is the right answer.

IowaLeague.org
Iowa League of Cities on Facebook
Iowa League of Cities on YouTube
Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow
Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin
Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic
Editor: Jason Stershic

LaVern Dirkx is a city councilman in Carroll, his best advice for someone who is thinking about running for office, do your homework. Do research, find out about issues and study them. Pam Henderson, a city councilwoman in Alta says you have to be open minded, even when you have someone on the council you may not always agree with.

IowaLeague.org
Iowa League of Cities on Facebook
Iowa League of Cities on YouTube
Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow
Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin
Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic
Editor: Jason Stershic

Make a plan. That's the message from Mickey Shields, Deputy Director of the Iowa League of Cities as he joins the podcast. It can be short list of city priorities or a comprehensive strategic plan. As long as you plan, he says, your city is moving in the right direction.

IowaLeague.org
Iowa League of Cities on Facebook
Iowa League of Cities on YouTube
Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow
Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin
Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic
Editor: Jason Stershic