Formal authorization
The local authority will need to formally initiate and operationalize the effort. This often involves identifying resources, passing the budget, assigning staff, initiating tenders and procurement procedures, and putting into motion anything else necessary to deliver on public priorities.
In short, at this stage, the goal, scope and general steps of the actions to be taken by the municipality should be clear enough that the municipality can communicate to the public the answers to the following questions:
- What is the problem we are trying to solve? This can be brief and used in the title of the solution – for example, “Replacing lead pipes.”
- What steps will be taken to resolve the problem? List the discrete steps that will be taken to solve the problem. For example, first, we will map out the locations and addresses that have or are suspected to have lead pipes and verify where replacements are needed. At the same time, we will begin replacing the lead pipes we are aware of in high-importance locations (schools, youth centers, libraries, high-traffic public buildings).
- How long will it take? Consult with the core team and local administration to determine how long the various elements of the plan will take. For example, “After two months, we will have fully mapped all remaining lead pipes in the city. By the end of the year, we expect to have replaced the lead pipes in 50 percent of the affected households.”
- Who is responsible for implementing the plan? List the points of contact (offices, departments or people) for implementation of the plan, as well as individuals in the government that can be contacted (such as spokespeople or specific offices) if members of the public, media or others have questions. This is also a valuable opportunity for individuals to engage meaningfully – volunteer for a community clean-up, sign up to receive a water testing kit, or take other actions to provide data and support to the process.
- When will you hear from us? Provide a date or moment when the public can expect an update from the local authority on the process.
Public declaration or commitment
If the local authority’s resources are insufficient to address the challenge at hand, the local authority and core team may use this step to formally declare their intention to pursue the priority, acknowledging that their first effort will be to identify and secure the necessary financial resources to follow through on the commitment. In this instance, the local authority or mayor may instead lay out its strategy and plan to secure funding – for example, communications and advocacy to the national level to secure grants; efforts to form an alliance, group or coalition with nearby mayors or local authorities to pool resources; or efforts to establish a public-private partnership to help secure resources or investment from the private sector.
This declaration may be less formal than a budget allocation, but it still requires some form of authorization behind a formal and public commitment. These efforts are essential for accountability and for clearly communicating the local authority’s steps for residents’ priorities. For example, this can be an announcement by the mayor, local councilor or other local council.