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2014 conference highlights & recap
While the federal government is the leading source for public financing, alternative approaches are increasing.
“Financial capacity in the public sector is one of the key challenges in governance,” says Jonathan Koppell, dean of the College of Public Programs. “We are looking at innovative approaches to help city officials implement the infrastructure needed to build strong communities.”
“This is an issue that affects local and global communities. This conference is one of the many ways we bring together researchers and practitioners to discuss solutions and implement best practices,” says Koppell.
A highlight at the conference was the unveiling and discussion around the new report released by the Smart Cities Council and ASU’s Center for Urban Innovation which outlines some of the most promising tools to help cities improve the efficiency of large-scale systems, such as water and transportation, to smaller projects. The findings outline 28 tools for municipal financing.
At the conference, keynote speaker Georgia Levenson Keohane, a Fellow at the Roosevelt Institute, explored innovations in the public finance space, including novel approaches to financing for catastrophe bonds and the growing use of social impact bonds and pay-for-success in social finance.
Complexities in the financing sector go beyond navigating the options. The Securities and Exchange Commission implemented new rules and regulations governing municipal bond disclosure.
Other sessions brought experts from around the country to discuss their experience with large-scale projects, including sports and amenities and transit financing.
The closing session was led by the Morrison Institute for Public Policy’s incoming director, Thom Reilly, who will address current challenges in financing public pensions. Reilly formerly served as county manager and CEO of Clark County, Nevada’s most populated county with 1.8 million people.