2008 Capstones
All students in the MPA Program are required during their second year to complete a capstone project that draws on the cumulative lessons of their graduate experience.
Two awards are given each year. This year's winners are:
Deil S. Wright Capstone Paper Award - Shawn Purvis, Tax Increment Financing in North Carolina: Great Expectations, Limited Use
Nanette V. Mengel Communication Award - Glenn Barnes, Post-Construction Stormwater Management in North Carolina Today
Projects are organized by topic - environment, financial innovations, elected official decision-making, revitalizing communities, emerging issues and measuring performance.
Environment
Saving Species: An Introduction to Local Government Habitat Conservation Plans — Julie Walden
The Endangered Species Act forbids the “take” of endangered species on nonfederal property. Local governments risk noncompliance when they permit development that negatively affects the habitat of such species. They can avoid legal risk, and make the development process easier for property owners, by creating habitat conservation plans which outline how the harm to the species will be mitigated and minimized. This report looks at 12 local government plans and categorizes them according to scope, mitigation, and funding in order to inform and guide other government with endangered species habitat.
From Commitment to Action: Lessons Learned from Local Government Sustainability Efforts — Jacqueline Hartman Ashley
After elected officials publicly commit to sustainability, local government leaders have to pursue it in ways that serve the public interest, make good use of financial resources and achieve environmental goals. The purpose of this research is to learn strategies local government leaders use to implement successful sustainability efforts in operations. The research charts six common barriers leaders in North Carolina face during sustainability efforts and matches the barriers with strategies and incentives to address them. Leaders tasked with sustainability can use this research to begin or improve efforts.
Post-Construction Stormwater Management in North Carolina Today — Glenn Barnes
Many North Carolina local governments are managing post-construction stormwater runoff using stormwater best management practices (BMPs), as mandated under both federal and state regulations. These regulations were “moving targets” for many years, undergoing numerous changes and litigation before becoming official. Jurisdictions also exercised broad local control in designing and implementing their stormwater management programs. This capstone uses data collected from a statewide survey to report the similarities and differences in the approaches local governments have taken to manage post-construction stormwater best management practices.
Financial Innovations
Procuring and Maintaining Information Technology: Better Budgeting Practices in North Carolina’s 25 Largest Counties —
Shannon Byers
Budgeting for the procurement and maintenance of information technology (IT) is vital to providing county government services in North Carolina. However, little has been published about current technology budgeting techniques to manage public funds and maintain the infrastructure required for conducting government business. This research identifies ten better practices county budgeting and technology offices are using to plan for, procure, and manage the increasing technology needs across North Carolina counties. Findings from this research provide county budgeting and technology officers with potential practices for improving current budgeting processes for the procurement and management of IT.
Tax Increment Financing in North Carolina: Great Expectations, Limited Use — Shawn Purvis
There were great expectations when the North Carolina General Assembly passed the Project Development Financing Act in July 2003. The act permitted the use of tax increment financing (TIF) to stimulate economic development in blighted, depressed, or underdeveloped areas. After five years, only three municipalities are using TIF. What factors are limiting the great expectations municipalities had for TIF? This paper identifies deterrents to municipal TIF adoption and offers general recommendations for municipal and state leaders to consider when evaluating the use of TIF.
Elements of an Effective Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Policy for North Carolina Local Governments — Laura Jensen
In 2004, North Carolina voters approved an amendment to the state constitution that allowed the use of TIF to increase property values in areas that are blighted, depressed or underdeveloped. As North Carolina communities decide whether or not to use TIF, it is important that those decisions be made on a sound basis. This capstone identifies elements that are important in developing a tax increment financing policy for a North Carolina county or municipality and provides examples of how those elements are incorporated into actual TIF policies.
The Price of Government in North Carolina Counties: An Analysis of Revenue Levels Acceptable to Citizens — Ryan Ewalt
In their recent book, The Price of Government, David Osborne and Peter Hutchinson proposed a new theory about the price of running government. Specifically, they suggest that, through the democratic process, citizens force their elected officials to keep their community's price of government within a range that is acceptable to citizens. Does an acceptability range exist for North Carolina counties? Is the price of government in North Carolina counties influenced by political, socioeconomic, or population factors? What are the implications for county commissioners?
Regulating Mortgage Loan Servicing — Sean Coffey
The home mortgage market has evolved considerably and loan servicing companies have become an important actor in the lending industry. Loan servicers collect mortgage payments from borrowers and remit these payments to the owners of the mortgage. Borrowers and consumer advocates have suggested that some loan servicers provide poor customer care or act unethically. In 2007, the North Carolina General Assembly passed House Bill 1374 to regulate loan servicing. Through a literature review, content analysis of the statute, and interviews with stakeholders, this paper provides guidance for lawmakers considering similar legislation.
Elected Official Decision-making
Finding the Gap: Examining Perceptions of Citizen Participation In the Budget Process of Local Government — Justin Amos
Citizen participation can be viewed through several lenses. It can be viewed as a way to reduce the level of citizen distrust in government, to influence budget allocations or community decisions, or simply to educate citizens about governmental activities. This study begins to explore citizen participation effectiveness in the budget process through a series of stakeholder interviews in four cities in North Carolina. The analysis of the responses shows some variation in thinking between groups of citizens, elected officials, and staff when determining effective participation methods. However, there are several important commonalities shared between groups regarding the role citizens play in the process and the importance of communication and cooperation between groups.
Standing Council Committees in North Carolina: Standing or Falling? — Andrea Cain
There is little published research about the municipal use of standing council committees in North Carolina council-manager governments. This study provides a starting point for examining how localities use standing committees. Research methods include a survey sent to municipalities asking about the structure of their committees and phone interviews with political and administrative officials from a sample of survey respondents. The study explores why localities use committees, what works and does not work, and the overall perception of standing council committees in North Carolina.
The County Role in Transportation Funding: Key Factors that Affect a County’s Decision to Participate in the Funding of Road Improvements — Heather Scarbrough
From 1931 until recently, North Carolina counties have not been involved in the funding of road construction or maintenance. However, legislation passed in August of 2007 by the North Carolina General Assembly alters the traditional county role in transportation funding. S1513 grants counties the authority to participate in the funding of road construction and maintenance. Through a survey of county commissioners and county managers, this study explores the key factors involved in a North Carolina county’s decision to use this authority.
The Use of Eminent Domain by North Carolina Counties: Historical Patterns, Current Trends, and Decision Variables — Jamie McCall
A 2006 report by the Government Accountability Office states that little data or research exists on the use of eminent domain bystate or local governments. In an effort to help fill this knowledge gap, this capstone examines how eminent domain is used and what variables are important in the execution of eminent domain action by North Carolina county governments. This analysis uses data from a survey of county managers about eminent domain policies and practices.
Perceived Educational Needs and Knowledge Gaps of Newly Elected County Commissioners — Heather R. Strickland
Local governments can lack a clear vision and become reactive if their elected officials do not understand their roles and responsibilities. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the critical information needs of newly elected county commissioners in North Carolina, their perceived level of knowledge in critical areas, and the prevalence of local orientation programs. The information gained from this research can be used by local government leaders and educators to ensure that county commissioners in North Carolina are well prepared to serve and lead.
Revitalizing Communities
A Comparative Analysis of Downtown Revitalization Efforts in Three North Carolina Communities — Peter Franzese
North Carolina’s downtowns were once the epicenters of commercial, civic, and social activity. As development patterns changed in the mid to late twentieth century, many downtowns became areas of decline and blight. Today, cities and towns across the state are attempting to rebuild and revitalize their once-bustling downtown areas. This report looks at what has been done in three such communities—Monroe, Mooresville, and Sanford, and identifies the important factors for success in a downtown revitalization effort.
Parks and Economic Development: The Relationship between City Park Space, Quality of Life, and Job Growth — Nicholas Dula
City parks provide communities with valuable intangible benefits. People appreciate park space for the recreational value, leisurely atmosphere, and aesthetic appeal that parks provide their communities.
When visiting a city park, people recognize the intangible benefits that the park adds to the community’s quality of life. However, most people don’t understand the tangible, economic benefits that parks can provide communities. This research attempts to explain the relationship between parks and economic development by demonstrating how a commitment to city park space correlates with employment change in America’s 50 largest cities.
Planning in North Carolina: Needs of Cities and the Changing Nature of City Planning across the State — Heather Jankowski Chartier
North Carolina cities are experiencing unprecedented growth and change. Planners often play an important role in helping cities manage change, yet little information is available about how new planners can best meet the needs of North Carolina communities. Through a survey of planning administrators, this study provides a first look at how skills and competencies of entry level city planners are valued around the state. This research aims to help practitioners and the academic community understand how new planners can meet the needs of North Carolina cities now and in five years.
Ensuring Housing Quality: Proactive Minimum Housing Code Inspections of Rental Properties in North Carolina Cities— Carol Hickey
Deteriorated housing negatively impacts the health and economic viability of communities. In response to increasing concerns about the prevalence of substandard rental properties, five cities in North Carolina—Greensboro, Statesville, Morganton, Reidsville, and Asheville—have adopted ordinances making it illegal for landlords to lease housing units that do not have valid certifications from the cities that the units meet minimum housing codes. These cities are certifying code compliance through proactive inspections of all rental properties. This capstone paper examines how these rental inspections programs function and what returns on investments they provide.
Emerging Issues
More than a Matter of Money: Strategies to Retain Generation Y Employees in Community-Based Nonprofits — Kate Shem
The nonprofit sector, which typically experiences high employee turnover and limited financial resources, is likely to face increased retention challenges as it hires mobility-prone Generation Y employees. Nonprofits can potentially reduce growing turnover costs by aligning human resource management practices with Generation Y’s work preferences. A survey of agencies by the United Way of Central Carolinas examined the prevalence of practices that align with Generation Y’s preference for group work, autonomy over the structure of assignments, personal recognition, development opportunities, mentoring relationships, flexible schedules, and frequent feedback during work assignments.
Local Governments and Sex Trafficking: Lessons Learned about Identifying and Preparing for Cases of Sex Trafficking — Steve Buter
In 2007, the State of North Carolina passed legislation that increases the penalty for human trafficking and legalizes the provision of services to all victims, regardless of citizenship status. However, little is being done at the local level to combat sex trafficking. This research uses a case study of Atlanta Metropolitan area efforts to combat the crime to provide guidance for local government officials as they learn how to identify, and to respond to sex trafficking cases in their communities.
Enhancing Local Government Communication: Managers Who Blog — Ryan Davidson
More citizens are using the internet in their daily lives. Therefore, local governments need to adapt to technological advances to communicate with those citizens. Some local government managers are using a web log, or blog, to communicate directly with citizens on the internet. This exploratory study examines the level of engagement of local government managers’ blogs from across the country. The results show that the number of engaging features appearing on manager blogs ranges widely. Recommendations suggest that managers considering a blog should use a strategic approach and weigh several options before blogging to ensure success in their locality.
Getting Citizens to Stop by One-Stops: Successfully Attracting and Retaining JobLink Career Center Customers — Michael Rooney
The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 mandated that states and local areas create One-Stop Career Centers, referred to as JobLink Career Centers in North Carolina. Anecdotes and studies show that JobLinks can successfully help customers increase their skills and find jobs. However, citizens must actually visit the centers to receive this assistance. Previous research demonstrates that some JobLinks have not turned potential customers into actual customers at the desired rates. This report identifies factors that significantly increase center use and presents strategies for attracting and retaining more JobLink clients.
Measuring Performance
The Balanced Scorecard: A New Management Tool for American Cities? — Wilson Cho
Local governments consider adopting innovative management tools to address the challenge of improving quality and increasing productivity. One of the modern management tools adopted by American cities is the Balanced Scorecard (BSC)—a comprehensive performance management system. This capstone examines a variety of factors that promoted or prevented the adoption of BSC by 68 American cities having a population of more than 250,000. Several recommendations are suggested even though the research findings might not be generalized due to selected samples and the small number of cities implementing BSC.
University Performance Reporting: Affecting the Bottom Line? — John King
The focus on accountability of service remains a central concern of all government activities. A 2003 survey found 46 states were using performance reporting as a means to hold universities accountable. Previous research focuses primarily on the impact of these reports on performance; this capstone expands the discussion using time series regression analysis to determine how performance reporting is affecting university appropriations, a critical outcome measure. Content analysis of state laws and performance reports provides additional insight on the purpose and effectiveness of this now common university activity. Recent thinking on the future of performance reporting is also presented.
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