When animal control officials seize animals, local governments and animal welfare organizations can end up spending a lot of money to shelter, feed, and otherwise care for the animals. In 2005, the General Assembly enacted G.S. 19A-70, which allows animal … Read more

In a recent post, I discussed two ways through which a local government may save money over time to fund capital projects. The first is through fund balance and the second is by establishing a capital reserve fund. I received … Read more

North Carolina is often described as a “Dillon’s Rule” state. What does that mean? Is it the opposite of home rule? Does it mean our courts apply Dillon’s Rule in interpreting the scope of local government authority? Or does it … Read more

Last summer, the United States Secretary of Homeland Security announced a new program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Under this program, some unauthorized immigrants who entered the United States before the age of 16 may qualify to have immigration … Read more

In areas experiencing urban growth and development, two questions often arise for local governments.  Do we have the capacity to provide necessary public facilities to serve this development?  If not, how are we going to pay for the needed additional … Read more

How many times have you been to a public hearing and heard opponents to a particular zoning proposal say that it will cause the values of their property to decline? The impact on property values is a theme that runs … Read more

UPDATE August 2013: For more information on capital reserve funds, click here. Blight City has fallen on hard times. Its population has declined significantly since the 1990s, due in large part to the shuttering of two large manufacturing plants. Emblematic … Read more

Here’s an idea that many people in local government in North Carolina cling to:  the names of applicants for governmental jobs are confidential.  It’s a very handy idea.  It allows a manager in a small county to apply for the … Read more