Government
**Ground Floor Government**

Ground Floor Government is the podcast for the people who make local government work—behind the scenes. Hosted by David Plappert, founder of PhoneLive.io, this show gives city and county clerks, IT leads, communication pros, and public servants their time at the mic.
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Each week, we dig into what really keeps cities and counties running—last-minute meeting prep, tech shifts, team leadership, and the quiet but essential work of transparency and public service. If you’ve ever hit publish on a public notice, stayed late to prep a meeting, or solved a problem no one even saw coming, this show is for you.

Latest Episodes:

“This is a marathon and not a sprint” (with William Whitson) | Ep. 12 Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

Life can throw some wrenches into a career. Hugh Plappert sits down with William Whitson to unfold an interesting career path from Washington DC and the U S E P A to city manager and long-term recovery. The conversation moves through hurricanes back to back, an intergovernmental response to Katrina, Hurricane Harvey in Rockport, Texas, COVID, and flash flooding after the 4th of July. Listeners hear how to make an impact with grants and contracts, how local governments pair up the damage with the available funding, and why a comprehensive plan lands north of $150 million in state and federal aid. The mindset is a marathon and not a sprint, with training, ISO certificates, FEMA courses, EOCs, mutual aid, and sister city exchanges. Technology changes expectations for service delivery, from letters to faxes to email and texting, with AI and drone technology, GIS, and cameras in water and sewer lines.

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👤 Guest Bio

William Whitson worked at headquarters in Washington with the U S E P A, learning contracts, grants, intergovernmental relations, and communication strategies. He moved into local government as a manager with hurricanes back to back, an intergovernmental response to Katrina, and long-term recovery for Hurricane Harvey in Rockport, Texas. He helped write a comprehensive long-term recovery plan and landed north of $150 million in state and federal aid. He is active with ICMA fellows and coaching and serves communities as a consultant and interim city manager.

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📌 What We Cover

From federal to local: getting told the resource level versus building a budget with consensus on the tax rate
Hurricanes back to back, Katrina, Hurricane Harvey in Rockport, Texas, COVID, and flash flooding after the 4th of July
Pairing up the damage with the available funding and recording it in a comprehensive plan
“Your best work in an emergency happens before the emergency” with training, ISO 100 through 800, and incident commander roles
Marathon mindset, advanced planning, and being a team player with elected officials and staff
Mutual aid and sister city exchanges, 5 0 1 C 3 roles, enterprise funds, and the parts you do not see underground
Technology in service delivery: AI note taking, drone technology, GIS, cameras in water lines and sewer lines
Getting started: education, internships, writing studies, volunteering, and working with a manager

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🔗 Resources Mentioned

FEMA courses and ISO 100 through 800
EOC and NIMS
ICMA, ICMA Young Professional fellows, and ICMA coaching
Rockport, Texas long-term recovery for Hurricane Harvey
Enterprise funds, lift stations, generators, and traffic lights
Drone technology, GIS technology, cameras in water lines and sewer lines

Serving to Connect People and Governance (with Mayra Rios) | Ep. 11 Oct 28, 2025

Show notes

Host Hugh Plappert welcomes Mayra Rios from Brownsville, Texas, a community thriving with growth, culture, and collaboration across borders. As the City Secretary, Mayra shares how Brownsville connects tourism, business, and innovation—from its relationship with Mexico to its partnership with SpaceX’s new city, Starbase.

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She reflects on her path from teaching to law and city administration, revealing how compliance, communication, and compassion shape her service. Mayra describes the role of City Secretary as the hub connecting officials, departments, and residents, especially during election season. Her words highlight the importance of transparency, legal responsibility, and people-first leadership rooted in purpose and service.

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👤 Guest Bio

Mayra Rios serves as the City Secretary for the City of Brownsville, Texas. She began her career in a law firm before advancing through municipal roles, including Assistant and Deputy City Secretary. Mayra is part of the Texas Municipal Clerks Association and is known for her focus on connecting governance with people. She describes her purpose as “serving to connect people and governance,” emphasizing compassion, transparency, and continuous learning.

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📌 What We Cover

Brownsville’s thriving economy and collaboration with Mexico and SpaceX’s Starbase
The city’s growing tourism and daytime population impact on sales tax and visibility
The role of City Secretary as the connecting hub between officials, departments, and residents
Election season responsibilities, compliance, and transparency for voter access
The preparation, teamwork, and mental focus needed to deliver smooth elections
Challenges of educating residents and staff about the “why” behind local procedures
The importance of compassion, communication, and people-first leadership
Encouragement for anyone entering local government: lead people first, greatness is service

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🔗 Resources Mentioned

Texas Municipal Clerks Association (TMCA)
Texas Secretary of State
SpaceX “Starbase” City
Martin Luther King Jr. quote on greatness and service

Elections take over everything (with Aileen Dickson) | Ep. 10 Oct 23, 2025

Show notes

“Don’t assume that just because it’s government, it’s boring.” With Hugh Plappert and Aileen Dickson, the path runs from television marketing to a city clerk’s office where elections, records, and public access shape every decision. Aileen traces a move from one computer per department and photocopied council packets to digital operations, Open Troy, and careful exploration of AI for searches. She explains being appointed and confirmed, the shift from paper to electronic records, and why “elections take over everything” as law changes in 2018 and 2022, COVID years, and presidential cycles require agility. Responsibilities span agendas and minutes, FOIA, vital records, cemeteries, parliamentary procedure training, budgeting, community engagement, and a new precinct map. Education, mentorship, and association work support new clerks and succession planning. Creativity shows up in precinct outreach with a Finding Nemo play and a sixties pop diner feel that gets attention and shares information from the source.

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👤 Guest Bio

Aileen Dickson discovered election administration while working in police records and volunteering after hours. She transferred into the clerk’s office as an office assistant, took on budgeting, council agendas, ordinances, and resolutions, and became city clerk in 2011. Appointed by the city manager and confirmed by the city council, she has been called to this work for 25 years. Aileen is a master municipal clerk and a Level 3 M-I-P-M-C, active in county and state associations, mentoring new clerks, and pursuing an election official certificate through Oakland University.

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📌 What We Cover

From police records to the clerk’s chair and “the job that I didn’t know I wanted”
Appointed city clerk, confirmed by council, and differences across Michigan cities and townships
From photocopies and hand delivered agendas to digital operations and Open Troy
“Elections take over everything,” agility with 2018 and 2022 constitutional changes and COVID years
Careful exploration of AI for searches while protecting accuracy and security
Budget season, new voting system planning, and shifting resources for presidential years
Vital records, FOIA coordination, cemeteries, records retention, and parliamentary procedure training
Community engagement booths, a new precinct map, Finding your precinct with under the sea themes, stickers, and a sixties pop diner feel
Education and certifications through MAMC, IIMC, county associations, state and county election training, and Oakland University
Mentorship, Facebook group support, membership tracks, and succession planning for new clerks

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🔗 Resources Mentioned

Open Troy
Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks
International Institute of Municipal Clerks
Oakland County Clerks Association
Bureau of Elections at the state and the Secretary of State’s office
Oakland University election official certificate
Facebook group for clerks
Finding Nemo (precinct outreach play)

The Youngest Citywide Official in Des Plaines History (with Dominik Bronakowski) | Ep. 9 Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

Young, elected, and showing up. Host Hugh Plappert sits down with Dominik Bronakowski, the elected City Clerk of Des Plaines, sworn in at 24 and proud to be the youngest elected citywide official in Des Plaines history. Dominik shares how wearing many hats opened doors, from working full-time in the Illinois State legislature on constituent services and outreach to evenings and weekends in the clerk’s office. From ageism on the campaign trail to proving himself day in and day out, Dominik focuses on transparency, accessibility, and competitive elections. He talks about rolling out translation services for non-English speakers, making it easier for candidates to get on the ballot, and showing up to every city council meeting to learn how government works. His message to young people is simple: show up.

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👤 Guest Bio

Dominik Bronakowski is the elected City Clerk of Des Plaines. Sworn in at 24, he is the youngest elected citywide official in Des Plaines history. He also works in the Illinois State legislature for a state representative in the Lake County area, handling constituent services, outreach, and district office work. Dominik serves at city council meetings, community events, and leads initiatives around accessibility and elections while collaborating with strong staff in the clerk’s office.

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📌 What We Cover

Wearing multiple hats: full-time in the Illinois State legislature and part-time as City Clerk
Showing up to every city council meeting to learn how government works and operates
Navigating ageism and proving capability by doing the work day in and day out
Transparency, accessibility, and competitive elections as priorities beyond the status quo
Rolling out onsite translation services to support non-English speakers at City Hall
Creating candidate guides to make it easier to get on the ballot locally
Community connection through farmers’ markets, permitting and licensing, and liquor licenses
Mentorship from Mayor Andrew Goczkowski and State Senator Laura Murphy

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🔗 Resources Mentioned

City of Des Plaines
Des Plaines City Council meetings
Planning and Zoning Board
Mayor Andrew Goczkowski
State Senator Laura Murphy
Lake Michigan
Deputy FOIA officer
Farmers’ markets

Leading with Listening and Service (with Vanessa Joseph) | Ep. 8 Oct 16, 2025

Show notes

How do you turn unexpected opportunities into a lasting career of service? On this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert speaks with Vanessa Joseph, elected City Clerk for the City of North Miami and practicing immigration attorney.

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Vanessa shares her journey as the daughter of Haitian immigrants, her initial plan to return to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, and how her passion for service led her toward immigration law and ultimately public office. She explains how she became bi-vocational, why civic education is central to her work, and how the office of the City Clerk serves as a bridge between residents and their government.

Listeners will hear stories about creating the Madam Clerk Project to engage children, launching a Learn to Swim initiative that expanded countywide, and the lessons she’s learned about leadership, listening, and building trust.

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👤 Guest Bio

Vanessa Joseph is the elected City Clerk for the City of North Miami and an immigration attorney with a nonprofit organization. Born in the United States to Haitian immigrants, she has spent over a decade working in immigration and human rights law. Since being elected in May 2019, she has served as City Clerk, focusing on civic engagement, transparency, and community service.

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📌 What We Cover

Growing up as the daughter of Haitian immigrants and finding pride in both cultures
Transitioning from political science and public administration studies to immigration law
Running for and being elected as City Clerk in North Miami
Why the clerk’s office is the bridge between people and their government
Lessons from early challenges and the importance of listening in leadership
Creating the Madam Clerk Project coloring book and distributing over 5,000 copies
Launching the Learn to Swim initiative in honor of a mentee, now part of a countywide zero drowning program
Encouragement for immigrants and residents to participate in boards, committees, campaigns, and local elections

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🔗 Resources Mentioned

Madam Clerk Project coloring book (City of North Miami initiative)
North Miami Learn to Swim program
Legacy Magazine “40 Under 40” recognition
Haitian American Chamber of Commerce “20 Under 40” recognition

Adapting to Change in Local Government (with Shirley Foxx-Knowles) | Ep. 7 Oct 14, 2025

Show notes

Changes are challenging. They can make you or break you. They can throw you into an emotional turmoil, and they are important to understand as you develop your career in local government. In this conversation, Hugh Clapper sits down with Shirley Foxx-Knowles, City Clerk of Tampa, to talk about navigating political, system, and career changes.

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Shirley shares her journey from 16 years in corporate accounting at GTE to more than two decades serving in Tampa’s city government. She reflects on differences between the corporate world and local government, the importance of attitude, and the projects that made a lasting difference for the public. From handling hurricanes and supporting council meetings to leading the archives and records division, Shirley emphasizes service, leadership, and a can-do mindset.

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Listeners will also hear her perspective on working with three mayors, mentoring staff, and why attitude truly is everything in building a career in public service.

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👤 Guest Bio

Shirley Foxx-Knowles is the City Clerk of Tampa. Recruited to government service by Mayor Pam Iorio, she has worked under three mayors during her 22 years in city government. With a background in accounting and corporate experience at GTE, Shirley leads the clerk’s office and archives and records division, providing vital services to council, departments, and the public.

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📌 What We Cover

Moving from corporate accounting to city government and the adjustments required
Differences between corporate deadlines and the pace of local government
Why attitude, mentorship, and internships shape career success
Leading the City Clerk’s office and serving as the hub of information for the public and council
Implementing document storage systems and helping residents become self-sufficient in accessing records
Preparing for hurricanes, securing staff and equipment, and supporting the emergency operations center
Experiences working with three Tampa mayors: Pam Iorio, Bob Buckhorn, and Jane Castor
Publishing history projects, including “Mayors of Tampa,” “Council of Tampa,” and the annual “100 Years Ago in Tampa” series
Advice for new careers in local government and the importance of a can-do attitude

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🔗 Resources Mentioned

City of Tampa Clerk’s Office Books: Mayors of Tampa, Council of Tampa, City Clerks of Tampa, and 100 Years Ago in Tampa — available on the Tampa City Clerk’s website

Balancing Laws, Citizens, and City Growth (with Deborah Sorensen) | Ep. 6 Oct 07, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Ground Floor Government, host David Plappert sits down with Deborah Sorensen, City Secretary of Rowlett, Texas. Deborah shares how rules, laws, and codes shape what cities can and cannot do, highlighting the importance of the Open Meetings Act, the Public Information Act, and election laws.

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She describes the Action Center in Rowlett, a one stop shop for citizens who need help navigating city services, and reflects on juggling multiple roles each week, from preparing agendas and minutes to elections and public information requests. Deborah also talks about leading Rowlett to its first Municipal Clerks Office Achievement of Excellence Award, the challenges of new state legislation, and the importance of transparency and trust with citizens.

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Listeners will hear her perspective on communication trends, citizen engagement, and the personal side of public service, including being “on” 24/7 as a city representative.

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👤 Guest Bio

Deborah Sorensen is the City Secretary of Rowlett, Texas. She has served in local government for 17 years, beginning with an Economic Development Corporation role, later working as a paralegal, and then moving into city secretary positions in multiple Texas cities. She joined Rowlett in January 2025, where she continues her commitment to transparency, elections, and citizen service.

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📌 What We Cover

Laws and codes that govern city operations, including the Open Meetings Act and Public Information Act
The Action Center in Rowlett as a one stop shop for citizens
Preparing agendas, minutes, ordinances, resolutions, elections, and information requests
Balancing an unpredictable workload and citizen interactions daily
Receiving the Municipal Clerks Office Achievement of Excellence Award in Rowlett and previous cities
Challenges from recent state legislation limiting city authority
Building transparency and trust with the public, especially when facing criticism
Communication methods used in Rowlett, from videos and social platforms to senior engagement
The growth of Rowlett from a rural city to a metroplex community of nearly 70,000
Advice for those entering local government: thick skin, compassion, and prioritizing citizens

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🔗 Resources Mentioned

Texas Municipal Clerks Association
Municipal Clerks Office Achievement of Excellence Award

Governance Precedes Finance (with Mark Funkhouser) | Ep. 5 Sep 30, 2025

Show notes

A pothole crew, a dump truck, a radio system, a streetlight on every corner. Behind each visible service sits an army that buys, maintains, measures, and pays for it. In this conversation, Hugh Plappert speaks with Mark Funkhouser, who connects the nuts and bolts of procurement, budgeting, and performance auditing to parks, safety, clean water, and trash pickup. He shares a Kansas City story where resident surveys, an audit, and a voter-approved bond transformed an outdated streetlight system. He talks about mistakes like a public safety radio purchase that failed frontline users, why the second question in government is how to pay for it, and why democracy is difficult and messy. He encourages internships, finance skills, service on boards, and even running for office. He calls the current moment “fend for yourself federalism” and argues that governance precedes finance.

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👤 Guest Bio

Mark Funkhouser is a former Mayor of Kansas City and longtime government performance auditor. He served as publisher at Governing magazine. He teaches budgeting and financial management in the John Lewis MPA program at Tulane. He leads Funkhouser & Associates, focusing on strategic planning and comprehensive plans through a finance and governance lens. He highlights Eleanor Ostrom’s principles for governing a common pool resource and emphasizes that governance precedes finance.

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📌 What We Cover

The “army behind” visible services and why every street name has an invoice and a receipt
How procurement really works for a $150,000 dump truck, from specs to lifecycle costs to appropriations
A Kansas City audit that led to a voter-approved bond and doubled resident satisfaction with street lighting
Lessons from a failed public safety radio system and how auditors diagnose what went wrong
Careers that start with internships and grow into leadership, plus the value of finance training
Why the second question is how to pay for it and why democracy is difficult and messy
“Fend for yourself federalism” and responsibilities devolving to state and local governments
Governance precedes finance, with examples from Flint, Michigan and Eleanor Ostrom’s principles

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🔗 Resources Mentioned

Funkhouser & Associates
Governing magazine
John Lewis MPA program at Tulane
Eleanor Ostrom
Teddy Roosevelt’s “the man in the arena”
Flint, Michigan
Kansas City streetlight bond and public safety radio system references

From Unpaid Intern to Division Head at 23 in Danville (with Rheanna Ollis) | Ep. 4 Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to Ground Floor Government with David Plappert. In this conversation, Rheanna Ollis shares how a political science path turned into community relations, starting as an unpaid intern, jumping into billing and collections, becoming the first coordinator, and stepping into division head at 23. She talks about juggling social media, uploading city council meetings, a weekly City Council Digest, neighborhood associations, press releases, a video project for the enterprise zone, and working with a graphic designer on target audiences and marketing.

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Rheanna explains why communication is the hardest part when your target audience is 28,000 people across different backgrounds. She breaks down home rule, how department and division heads shape decisions, and why reaching council members and division heads matters. She walks through City Council Digest to share hot topic items and What’s Brewing, a coffee talk series with free cups, Q&A cards, and accessibility in mind. She also shares feedback from a 25-year comprehensive plan that shifted focus toward beauty, signage, and banners with “you decide what’s possible,” plus practical channels from Facebook and Instagram reels to print media and First Fridays.

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👤 Guest Bio

Rheanna Ollis is the Community Relations Administrator for the City of Danville. With a bachelor’s degree in political science, she started as an unpaid intern, moved into billing and collections, became the first coordinator in community relations, and now leads the division. She sits on the Downtown Danville Inc. board, works across departments on social media, press, neighborhood associations, and city council communications, and launched initiatives like the City Council Digest and What’s Brewing to connect residents with department and division heads and the mayor.

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📌 What We Cover

Starting as an unpaid intern, moving to billing and collections, first coordinator, then division head at 23
Why communication is the hardest part when the target audience is 28,000 people
Home rule, council votes, and how department and division heads shape decisions residents feel
City Council Digest: hot topic breakdowns, live streaming, reviews by city clerks, and sending to local media
What’s Brewing: traveling coffee talks, first 15 cups free, Q&A cards, accessibility, and quarterly cadence
Public feedback from a 25-year comprehensive plan: focus on beauty, signage, banners, and welcome signs
Reaching demographics: Facebook for women 28–52, Instagram reels for 18–28, live streams for staff, print for schools and industry
First Fridays: kid-focused, low to free cost, downtown businesses, “Discover Danville,” passports, food samples, dance, and music
Using AI for drafts, captions, ideas, and names like “What’s Brewing” and “City Council Digest,” while keeping a personal touch
Advice to get your foot in the door, call your aldermen, attend meetings, and vote

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🔗 Resources Mentioned

City Council Digest
What’s Brewing
Downtown Danville Inc.
Public Works
First Fridays
Facebook (Meta)
Instagram reels
YouTube and Chris Hardin (travel vlogs)
QR code for the city website (on flyers)
Enterprise zone video project
“You decide what’s possible” banners and signage

What does it really take to get PhoneLive up and running? | Ep. 3 Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

Joseph Lewin, producer of Ground Floor Government, sits down with David Plappert, the regular host of the show, for a special behind-the-scenes conversation about what it really takes to get PhoneLive running. Many communities struggle to connect with the 20% of people who cannot access livestreams due to broadband barriers. David explains how PhoneLive bridges that gap by integrating seamlessly with existing streaming platforms, provisioning dedicated toll-free phone numbers, and making participation as simple as answering a call.

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📌 What We Cover

Why PhoneLive matters for the 20% of people without broadband access
The simple 15-minute setup with no hardware or telephone lines required
How PhoneLive integrates with livestream providers as an RTMP destination
Dedicated toll-free numbers and 24/7 availability for community access
Live notifications and subscriber call-outs that automatically connect residents
Four ways people can subscribe, from call-ins to CSV import and API integration
Support options, including text-based help during meetings
Reporting and analytics tied to actual phone numbers for follow-up and engagement

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🔗 Resources Mentioned

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