This document discusses using social systems design to improve the development of local public e-services. It argues that local governments have been left out of national e-government strategies and that a "designing within" approach where users are experts could help address unknown needs. This approach involves the user-designer, designing community composed of stakeholders, and developing a design culture. Further empirical studies applying this approach could help develop local e-services and building a design culture is a long-term process of learning.