# The People Behind Local Government (with Kendal Francis) | Ep. 58

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/ground-floor-government-7436219/the-people-behind-local-government-with-kendal-francis-ep-58.md
Podcast: [Ground Floor Government](https://stenobird.com/podcast/ground-floor-government-7436219)
Published: 2026-04-28T00:50:00+00:00
Episode link: https://phonelive.captivate.fm
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/32706b49-7d52-4507-98f0-9c7caf79c1cf.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/ground-floor-government-7436219/episodes/the-people-behind-local-government-with-kendal-francis-ep-58
Duration seconds: 1260

## Resource

Summary In this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert interviews Kendal Francis, the City Manager of Muskogee. They discuss the dynamics of local government, the journey into city management, the challenges faced, and the importance of communication and leadership. Kendal shares insights on supporting staff, celebrating successes, and the impact of budget decisions on the community. He emphasizes the need for accessibility and transparency in local government and encourages aspiring public servants to find their passion and get involved. Takeaways Working in local government is fundamentally about people. Kendal transitioned from a water treatment operator to city management. The role of a city manager is akin to being a CEO. Effective communication is crucial in local government. Leaders should support their staff through challenges. Celebrating team successes is essential for morale. Finding your 'why' is important in public service. Budget decisions directly impact community lives. Accessibility and transparency are vital in government operations. Local government offers significant opportunities for impact.

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## Transcript

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