City, town, and county managers are the professional administrators responsible for running local government day to day. This Civic Glossary entry explains how these roles work, how they differ from elected leadership, and why they are central to public service.

Life Journey Experience (LJX) focuses on how services connect to the major milestones and transitions people encounter—from birth certificates and school enrollment to retirement benefits. Effective LJX ensures public systems anticipate these moments, rather than forcing residents to navigate silos. When designed well, LJX supports people at the moments that matter most, making civic systems feel coherent across a lifetime.

Public trust isn’t earned at launch, it’s earned in the lead-up. The Trust Signals Scorecard is a free, fast tool for civic leaders to evaluate whether their programs, policies, or communications reinforce public confidence—or unintentionally erode it. Before you publish, pause here.