I. Background and Need for Integrated Planning -

Municipalities face multiple demands for public services and programs that regularly exceed the limited resources available to perform those services or provide those programs. This problem is particularly acute in municipal service areas such as transportation (roads and bridges), potable water systems, sanitary sewer systems and storm water systems, where the cost of replacing aging infrastructure is often overwhelming. Municipalities must therefore constantly prioritize their expenditures to provide their residents with the highest level of service possible within their limited means.

The ability of municipalities to prioritize their expenditures may be constrained by legislative or regulatory mandates that compel specific infrastructure or service improvements in certain municipal service areas. Such narrowly focused demands may hinder the ability of municipalities to achieve a balanced approach to the provision of all municipal services and programs within the community.

Originally published for the International Municipal Lawyers Association

2013 Annual Conference.