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Institute for Local Government
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Subject Areas

Making Decisions

Overview

Making Decisions

Decision-making in the public sector is a much different process than what they are used to in the private or nonprofit sector.

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Decision Making In the Collective Interest

When a public agency makes a decision, the guiding principle must always be what best serves the public’s interests, not the personal self-interests of the decision-makers.

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The Concept of a “Consent Calendar”

To expedite meetings and reserve time for matters that need to be discussed, many local agencies have a section on their agendas labeled as the “consent calendar.”

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Ethics Law Principles for Public Servants

This four-page pamphlet summarizes the kinds of issues and financial interests that ought to trigger a conversation with one’s agency counsel about what the law requires.

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Decision-Making Occurs At Meetings

Because of transparency requirements, virtually all of the conversations among a quorum of members of city councils, boards of supervisors and special district boards occur at public meetings.

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Legislative versus Adjudicative Actions

Local agency officials wear different decision-making hats. 

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Enough Decision-Makers: “Quorum”

Because of the often-collective nature of public agency decision-making, the concept of a quorum is important.

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League of California Cities Open Government Resources

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