Networking District Leaders & Connecting with Professional Stakeholders
Special districts are the most grassroots of all local governments, and the special purpose nature of these local governments drives a need for synergy. At SDS, we take a “whole-of-community” approach to advancing policy priorities, educating stakeholders, bringing leaders together. and ensuring district leaders have the resources needed to govern with efficiency, transparency, and confidence.
This is our jam: meeting and networking with special district leaders where they are; identifying core issues impacting districts of all stripes; collaboratively problem solving; and advancing individual- and coalition-oriented solutions.
Photo: Missouri State Rep. David Casteel, office of U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, and representatives of Stifel, MOCAAT, and UMB Bank meet with district leaders at the Missouri Special Districts Alliance Legislative Roundtable - Jefferson County; Nov. 12, 2025
Telling Your Special District Story, Engaging Special Districts with Communities & Lawmakers
Special districts are too often the victim of stolen narratives and have historically been woefully mischaracterized as “ghost governments.” We work with special district flip this script – building districts’ intergovernmental relationships, fostering community awareness of special district services, and making direct connections with legislative and professional service stakeholders.
Photo: Representatives of Rep. Paul Gosar, Rep. Abe Hamadeh, Sen. Mark Kelly, and Sen. Ruben Gallego tour the Arizona Fire & Medical Authority facility in Sun City West, Ariz., after an Arizona Special Districts Alliance Roundtable; May 8, 2025
Putting Federal and State Policy Trends into Perspective for Special District Leaders
Special District Strategies publishes a biweekly newsletter for a special purpose that offers the latest federal and trending state policy issues that impact special district services' community services. We hang our hat on sharing relevant, digestable content geared to the special districts' management and leadership perspective.
SDS hosts bimonthly virtual policy conversations, fosters deeper context on current and emerging issues with regular webinar presentations, and tracks federal legislative issues of concern for special district leaders.
Engaging Special Districts and Local Governments for Hazard Mitigation Planning
Special districts of all stripes have a stake in a community’s risk reduction and many have infrastructure mitigation needs. Yet, too many districts are missing the boat on opportunities to fund their projects.
SDS works with special districts to identify mitigation actions, prioritize cost-saving projects, and ensure representation in important multi-agency planning processes that set them up for federally-sourced grant and finance programs.
Special Districts Advocacy on Property Tax Policies
Special districts across more than 15 states have found themselves in the post-panedmic era dealing with the unintended consequences of statewide policy decisions that undermine local revenue sustainability. revenues. This troubling trend continues to spread across the country, much in the same fashion as the last 1970s and 1980s property tax revolt - and districts predominately rely on property taxes to serve as a base fund for public services.
SDS coordinates advocacy and education on the importance of property taxes as the classicly reliable and logical source of revenues for special districts, given our unique local governance structures.
Case study/SDS Client: Missouri Special Districts Alliance
Special District Strategies Clients
The News & Advocacy Subscription for a Special Purpose
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