Smarttowns.org is the major website dedicated to providing local officials and involved citizens with the tools they need to improve town, city and county services while spending less money.

Hear interview with Dr. Lewis Andrews about this site

Churches increasingly rent out Steeples as cell phone towers

States increase school hours: 300 hours added in 2013

School district owes $1 billion on $100 million loand

Gritty N.J. city of Camden to scrap police department amid budget woes

States Cutting the Most Government Jobs

Camden NJ, Fires Entire Police Force; Why Cities are Going Bankrupt

California town pioneers in fiscal irresponsibility

New govt ‘Virtual Meeting Rooms’ to save taxpayers' money?

Court lets Stockton, Calif. cut retiree health care

Note: There are many news items about communities which are reducing budgets, modifying staff levels, making sacrifices or trimming specific budget items. Although important to the towns involved, these news items are not reported here due to space limitations. However, we do report new or unique ways in which municipalities are reducing spending or out-of-the-ordinary budgeting actions. If your community is taking unusual steps to restrain spending, please let us know.

Guide to Governmental Financial Statements

A cost-effective solution to controlling gangs.

Saving your K-12 schools money with time and attendance systems.

How to share firefighting and rescue services among jurisdictions.

How to share construction and maintenance services among jurisdictions.

How to share school maintenance services among jurisdictions.

Detecting and preventing government fraud.

How to negotiate public employee pension reforms.

Replace public employees with community volunteers

Reduce crime with reserve officer and citizen patrols