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Tags: public services customer service
Series: Civics
Status: release
Date: 2023-11-10

More public public services


There are more than 15,000 cities and 16,000 towns in the United States.

Most municipalities provides common types of services.

Public Safety Services

  • Police Department: Law enforcement, crime prevention, community policing.
  • Fire Department: Firefighting, emergency medical services, fire prevention.

Public Works

  • Street maintenance and repair.
  • Public utilities (water, sewage).
  • Waste management and recycling.

Community Services

  • Parks and Recreation: Maintenance of public parks, recreational programs, community centers.
  • Library Services: Public libraries, educational programs, community events.

Planning and Development

  • Building permits and inspections.
  • Land use planning and zoning.
  • Economic development initiatives.

Transportation Services

  • Public transportation systems.
  • Traffic management and infrastructure.

Administrative Services

  • City Clerk: Public records, city council meeting agendas and minutes.
  • Finance Department: Billing and payments for city services, budget information.

Health and Human Services

  • Public health initiatives.
  • Social services and assistance programs.

Animal Services

  • Animal control, pet licensing, and adoption services.

Environmental Services

  • Sustainability initiatives, environmental protection and conservation programs.

Community Outreach and Engagement

Public forums, community surveys, and feedback mechanisms.


  • What are the costs of these services?
  • What is the effective of each service?
  • Who is being covered and served vs excluded?
  • What are opportunities to improve?