PROFILES IN SERVICE: BRIGHT IDEAS: TEXAS CONGRATS TO BEST IN MEET CATHY SENDER- COUNTY BATTLES CAR CATEGORY ACHIEVEMENT LING-MCDONALD. PG. 5 TITLE FRAUD. PG. 10 AWARD WINNERS! PG. 11

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES VOL. 52, NO. 16 AUGUST 17, 2020 PRESIDENT SIGNS COVID-19 RELIEF ORDER

by Daria Daniel and Brett Mattson

Following dissolution of ne- gotiations in Congress for a fifth coronavirus relief package, President Trump released a se- ries of administrative actions Aug. 8, an executive order and three memorandums, to ad- dress the expiration of federal unemployment benefits and provide other assistance for residents negatively impacted Storms ripped across Midwest counties last week including Linn County, Iowa, where a resident uses a chainsaw to clear the street fol- by the COVID-19 pandemic. lowing a derecho, a powerful line of severe thunderstorms. The derecho brought wind gusts of up to 110 mph that led to power outages The executive order is intend- for more than one million people. Traveling over 770 miles from South Dakota to Ohio, the storms became more severe in eastern Iowa ed to prevent rental evictions and northwestern Illinois bringing winds that destroyed crops, grain bins and homes. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) declared a disaster and mortgage foreclosures, proclamation for 23 counties following the storms. Photo courtesy of The Cedar Rapids Gazette while the memoranda focus on providing new payroll tax cuts, partially extending federal Election officials: ‘Flatten the curve,’ unemployment benefits with monetary contributions from avoid backups amidst pandemic states, as well as extending stu- dent loan payment relief. by Charlie Ban swing state, Arizona will see a to that and suddenly every fam- and now the brides and grooms Nevertheless, the actions senior writer U.S. Senate race pitting the first ily has a relative whose musical want their cats to serve as ring taken by the administration do woman combat pilot against reputation outstretches their bearers. not address NACo’s main pri- Robyn Stallworth Poquette an astronaut. Poquette expects talent, but not their mother’s When presented with those ority for COVID relief which is compares election preparations turnout to be massive, dwarfing confidence about performing added layers to the chaos, Po- additional flexible fiscal aid for to planning 100 weddings on the her primary that featured no lo- at the reception. Mixed with quette said that sounded right. state and local governments of same day. cal races. competing rhetoric question- all sizes. “It’s as if nobody has RSVPed Add the COVID-19 pandemic ing ballot security and integrity, See ELECTION page 3 and you have to make dietary Assistance to renters adjustments for all your guests… and homeowners it’s really difficult,” the Yuma The executive order on pro- County, Ariz. recorder said, New census deadline nearing viding assistance to renters fresh off a primary election that by Charlie Ban ners he didn’t have then, and ty will spend some of that time and homeowners directs fed- essentially served as a rehears- senior writer they brought in hundreds of re- doubling back over the respons- al for the general election. In sponses. Turner checked again: es that weren’t recorded, leaving See TRUMP page 2 addition to being a presidential Every day, Judge Executive 31.6 percent. less time to wear their shoes out Cale Turner checked the U.S. “We’re under a lot of pressure tracking down the hard-to-count Census Bureau website, hop- to get a good count,” Turner said. population. ing to see Owsley County, Ky.’s “We met religiously for three And that was before the Aug. 3 self-response rate take off. months, determined to have a announcement that data collec- For one of the poorest coun- good turnout this time. Right tion would end Sept. 30, a month ties in the country, an accurate now, we’re the last in the state.” earlier than previously estab- count of its population is crucial Census field workers are fan- lished. In response, nearly 900 to securing federal support. In ning out to counties across the organizations, including NACo, hopes of topping 2010’s 52 per- country to fill in the gaps, but cent rate, Turner recruited part- those working in Owsley Coun- See CENSUS page 6 2 AUGUST 17, 2020 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS President’s executive actions designed to provide relief during pandemic From TRUMP page 1 Needs assistance programs eral agencies, including the The memorandum on autho- U.S. Department of Housing rizing other needs assistance and Urban Development and programs for major disaster Treasury, to review existing declarations would partially authorities and resources and extend the federal pandemic identify any and all available unemployment insurance (UI) federal funding to provide tem- benefits implemented under porary financial assistance to the CARES Act which expired at renters and homeowners who the end of July. are struggling to make monthly However, the extra federal rental and mortgage payments UI benefit which is on top of due to COVID-19. states’ regular UI benefit would Such actions may include be reduced from $600 to $400 providing assistance and oth- per week. Of the $400 total, the er resources to public housing administration proposed that authorities, affordable housing $300 would be funded through owners, landlords and recip- FEMA’s existing Disaster Relief ients of federal grant funds in Funds (DRF). payment arrangement to con- will be deferred without any order to minimize evictions The administration would SPEEDREAD tinue the federal UI benefits. penalties or interest and will and foreclosures. direct the Federal Emergency West Virginia is the only state to go into effect on Sept. 1. In the However, the EO does not Management Agency (FEMA) Congress’ Failure to Reach agree to the plan so far. interim, the U.S. Treasury and specifically direct any feder- to set aside funding from the Agreement on Aid to State Internal Revenue Services are al agencies to take actions to DRF to cover the reduced UI and Local Governments Deferring payroll taxes now tasked with developing mitigate evictions, nor does it benefits. Leaves Them in an The presidential memoran- additional guidance to explain reinstate the federal moratori- The White House proposed Untenable Position: naco. dum deferring payroll tax obli- how to implement this execu- org/reliefbill. um on evictions included in the to earmark up to $44 billion of gations directs the Secretary of tive action. $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Re- $70 billion in existing DRF dol- Treasury to use his authority to lief, and Economic Security Act lars, which would last for about States would be responsible defer payroll taxes for employ- Continued student (CARES) which expired July 24. five weeks at current UI levels. for the 25 percent FEMA DRF ees to reduce funding taken loan repayment relief state match, or $100 per UI re- out of workers’ paychecks and The presidential memoran- cipient each week. Governors create incentives for work and dum on continuing student must submit a federal request employment. loan repayment relief directs to FEMA to receive the extra Specifically, to defer the with- the Secretary of Education to federal UI payments; it is not holding of federal payroll taxes provide waivers and modifi- automatic. on an employee’s earned wag- cations to extend student loan At least $25 billion of the DRF es of less than $4,000 bi-weekly repayment relief on loans held would be set aside to support (pre-tax) Sept. 1-Dec. 31. by the U.S. Department of Edu- ongoing disaster response and The deferment only applies cations until Dec. 31. recovery efforts and potential to the employee share that is The administration initially 2020 major disaster costs. normally collected and submit- suspended federal student loan In addition, the White House ted by employers (and the em- payments and set the interest LABOR DAY IS SEPT. 7 would allow states to use their ployee side for self-employed). rate at zero percent for at least Treasury Coronavirus Relief Earlier COVID-19 supplemen- 60 days beginning on March 20, Fund (CRF) dollars for the $100 tal law already allowed for 2020. Then Congress included state match. However, the Na- postponement of the employer the federal student loan pay- tional Governors Association share of payroll taxes. Payroll ment relief in the CARES Act Percent of workers 65-72 notes that states have already taxes consist of: which is set to expire on Sept. working/looking for work:...... 29 percent obligated more than 75 percent ● Social Security taxes at 12.4 30. This memorandum does Percent of teens working summer jobs:...... 34.6 percent of CRF dollars, so it is unlikely percent (6.2 percent paid by not address student loan debt Pay gap between high school/college grads:...... $24,700 that states have enough mon- employee and 6.2 percent paid held by private lenders. ey for the state match. States by employer); and Women’s earnings among workers 25 to 34:...... 89 percent and localities continue to face ● Medicare taxes at 2.9 per- Daria Daniel is an associate Ages 16-29 neither employed or significant budget challeng- cent (1.45 percent paid by em- legislative director and Brett in education/training:...... 14.8 percent es due to reduced revenues so ployee and 1.45 percent paid by Mattson is a legislative associate Source: Statista it is unclear how many states employer) in NACo’s Government Affairs can afford or would accept this The employee payroll taxes Department.

President Editor and ADVERTISING STAFF Published biweekly except August by: The appearance of paid advertisements in County POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Gary W. Moore Senior Writer Job Market/Classifieds National Association of Counties News in no way implies support or endorsement County News, 660 N. Capitol Street, N.W. Mary Ann Barton by the National Association of Counties for any of Publisher representative Research Foundation, Inc. STE. 400, Washington, D.C. 20001 Matthew Chase Digital Editor 660 N. Capitol Street, N.W. STE. 400, the products, services or messages advertised. National Accounts (USPS 704-620) n (ISSN: 0744-9798) and Senior Writer Washington, D.C. 20001 Periodicals postage paid at Washington D.C. and Chief Public © National Association of Counties Charlie Ban representative 202.393.6226 | FAX 866.752.1573 other offices. Affairs Officer Research Foundation, Inc. Brian Namey Staff Writer Mary Ann Barton E-mail [email protected] Mail subscriptions are $100 per year for non-mem- Rachel Looker 202.942.4223 Online address www.countynews.org bers. $60 per year for non-members purchasing Design Director FAX 866.752.1573 multiple copies. Educational institution rate, $50 per Leon Lawrence III year. Member county supplemental subscriptions are $20 each. Send payment with order and address changes to NACo, 660 N. Capitol Street, N.W. STE. We are committed to getting County News on your desktop ASAP. Send your address corrections to [email protected]. 400, Washington, D.C. 20001. COUNTY NEWS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES AUGUST 17, 2020 3 Election projected to see a massive increase in voting by mail to avoid crowds

Multnomah County, Ore. staffers sort ballots for the City of Portland’s Special Runoff Election Aug. 11. Oregon is one of five states that conduct all-mail elections.Photo by Motoya Nakamura

From ELECTION page 1 tee ballots, not absentee ballot voting centers had at least 12 should pay for it. They add up. send them in groups of two to applications, to all registered check-in stations,” Tunnell said. “These are expenses that we different precincts.” “Election management is out voters. Five states conduct all- “You can’t do that in a school wouldn’t have had in previous Some alumni come home of sight, out of mind for most mail elections. library. We had all the room we years — going from a school from college to work the polls, people,” Poquette said. “People needed to spread out.” library that was free to a com- and McKinley said that teach- are generally unaware of the ex- The place to be Even though Nevada is mail- mercial location that gives us er came up with 75 different pensive preparation that every- That means 15 states, so far, ing out ballots to all registered the space to do social distanc- poll workers from his classes in thing takes.” will require excuses to acquire voters, Eureka County will ing, it’s going to cost the elec- 2016. On the heels of counties en- an absentee ballot or else voters maintain ballot collection loca- tion department money, so we “I don’t know what we’ll do acting policies to “flatten the will have to show up in person, tions at the north and south end need Congress to pitch in and when he retires,” she said. curve” and keep COVID-19 pa- and management of polling of the small rural county. help us with that,” she said. Centre County includes Penn tients from overwhelming hos- places will get a lot of scrutiny “We had a lot of pushback State University, where McKin- pitals, county election workers in light of coronavirus physical in the primary, we have a lot Poll positions ley has combined all of the pre- are following the same play- distancing requirements. of voters who would rather do Tunnell said some poll work- cincts for ease of voting in the book to help them through a Though Arizona allowsit in person,” said Mike Nunn, ers manned their voting centers student union. general election that is project- no-excuse absentee ballots, deputy clerk recorder. “They’re for 27 straight days in the prima- Tunnell said civic duty pay ed to see a massive increase in Maricopa County moved to skeptical, they want to do things ry, with many more working 14 measures could sweeten the voting by mail to avoid crowds, meet those demands with vot- the way they’ve always done days. Recruiting that workforce deal for poll workers, who can and the coronavirus, at polling ing centers, which frees voters them, so we’re giving them that is crucial, and she suggested collect the pay on top of their places. from being tied to their precinct. option.” that current conditions could salary. For Yuma’s much larger Ari- In the primary, instead of 1,142 Playing host to polling plac- require having a reserve corps Poll workers end up being the zona county cousin, Maricopa voting locations, the county es will require a significant that could be half of the normal public face of election officials. County, Ariz., the fourth largest staffed 99 much larger voting amount of personal protective complement. “They try to really garner in the country, a failure to do centers, which opened 27 days equipment and cleaning sup- “People are going to back the trust of our community in that could be catastrophic, so before the election ended. plies, all expenses Tunnell said out, they might get scared, they a county like ours where we Government Relations Director “We were moving toward could be covered by coronavi- might get talked out of it, or they want to make voters feel safe Tonia Tunnell stresses making a voting center model, but rus relief aid. could get sick,” she said. “You’ll and secure going to the poll voting early as easy as possible. COVID pushed us all the way “Every poll worker is going to have to replace backups, too, so and receiving their early bal- “If your state allows no-ex- there,” she said, “The biggest have a mask, shield and gloves,” you can’t get complacent.” lot in a way they feel confident cuse absentee voting or COVID factor that made it happen was she said. “We’ll have masks for Joyce McKinley has a great that their vote counts,” Poquette can be an acceptable excuse, shopping centers.” everyone in case they forgot recruiter in Centre County, Pa., said. mail ballot request forms to all Contracting with shopping one, we’ll have single-use pens where she is director of elec- “Staff are having communi- active voters,” she said. “Just do centers gave the county much for the ballots. We’ll need dis- tions. cations with frustrated voters, i t .” larger spaces to work with and infecting wipes, tape to mark “We have a teacher at Belle- voters who are hearing different That counts for 28 states and brought customers near the spacing on the ground…these fonte High School who does rhetoric from neighbors on se- the District of Columbia, plus stores. are all new expenses because half the training for poll workers Nevada, which will mail absen- “The vast majority of those of COVID, and COVID money from the school,” she said. “We See ELECTION page 4 4 AUGUST 17, 2020 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS ‘Vote by mail has been a good process for Utah ... you can trust it’ From ELECTION page 3 the national Voting Rights Act “The virus hasn’t been a big and how you keep your voter concern here, so I don’t think curity. That’s not easy.” list clean. Even before we mail we’ll see a big demand for ab- ballots out, we compare our list sentee ballots,” she said. Mailing it in to the national change of ad- Her small office has talked Clerk Polly Olson saw mail-in dress (registry). about contingencies if things ballots boost turnout in Deuel “We know every ballot is go- change and they get inundated County, Nebraska’s primary, ing to a real person who is liv- with ballot requests, but even and she is sure that trend will ing.” then, they’ll have an idea how continue when the races add In Yuma County, that work many to plan to process. more gravity. will start the second week of “I don’t know what the situa- “In a primary election with- September, when Poquette’s tion will be the closer we get to out a lot of local issues, we don’t temporary workers start audit- November,” she said. usually have a lot of turnout but ing their address lists before the The proliferation of mail bal- we saw an increase because the ballots go out Oct. 7. lot access has been met by skep- secretary of state helped us in A spate of unsolicited, pre- ticism, including by President sending out mail-in ballots,” Ol- filled absentee ballots from the Trump, himself a mail voter in son said. Center for Voter Information is Florida. Weber County, Utah McKinley is expecting as making counties’ jobs harder Robyn Stallworth Poquette, Yuma County, Ariz. recorder, speaks Clerk Auditor Ricky Hatch said many as 44,000 absentee ballot to conduct business by mail. at a Capitol Hill briefing on election administration during the Utah’s all-mail election, now in requests in the general election, Fairfax County, Va. residents 2020 NACo Legislative Conference. Photo by Denny Henry its third year, and Weber Coun- twice what the primary drew. received mailers with a return were not received, leading them Legislature there passed a law ty’s seven-year program has Centre County is considering address to the city of Fairfax. to think they need to apply prohibiting pre-filled absentee received bipartisan support in contracting with a mailing ser- Though the city and county are again. ballot request forms. the county and an endorsement vice to distribute the ballots. cooperating to make sure the The same problem has sur- from Republican gubernatorial Knowing who is getting the applications reach the right faced with Roanoke, Richmond Get them to sign candidate Spencer Cox. ballots is the first step toward office, Fairfax County Gener- and Franklin counties and their on the line which is “Vote by mail has been a good ensuring a vote’s validity. al Registrar Gary Scott said the namesake cities, though the lat- dotted process for Utah, there are a lot “A successful and secure mail mailing is also confusing voters ter two are farther apart than To vote absentee in Scotland of controls and you can trust it,” vote program has to start with who have previously submitted Fairfax and Roanoke counties County, Mo., you’ll need a no- Hatch said. having really good voter regis- absentee ballot applications are from their respective cities. tary. Clerk Batina Dodge said it When he hears questions tration lists,” Tunnell said. “You themselves. These voters are In response to a similar isn’t hard to find one, but it’s an have to be very vigilant about worried that their applications problem in North Carolina, the extra layer of security. See ELECTION page 5

The NACo High Performance Leadership Academy is a 12-week, online course that connects your staff with practical leadership training.

THE ACADEMY FOCUSES ON FIVE ESSENTIAL SKILLS: With a curriculum developed by General Colin Powell and public and private sector leaders, NACo High Performance Leadership Academy gives students the opportunity to learn from world-class faculty. LEAD ORGANIZE COLLABORATE DELIVER COMMUNICATE All content is guided by an expert facilitator.

The NACo High Performance Leadership Academy empowers frontline county government professionals with fundamental, practical leadership skills to deliver results for counties and residents.

Find out more at NACo.org/Skills COUNTY NEWS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES AUGUST 17, 2020 5 From ELECTION page 4 “We may get something sim- ilar.” about Weber County’s mail bal- Hatch doesn’t mince words. PROFILES IN SERVICE lot security, Hatch points to the “Let us run our elections the county’s successes and security way we know,” he said. “We procedures. know our public and our poll CATHY SENDERLING- it mattered — for my first job out “It’s usually people who ha- workers. We’ve handled diffi- of college in southern Indiana, ven’t been paying attention to cult situations like this before MCDONALD for graduate school in Pittsburgh that in the past or pipe up on and we’ve done great, but we’d NACo Board and for my first post-grad job social media repeating what like to mail out our ballots a County Welfare Directors in Sacramento. It was hard and they’ve heard nationally,” Hatch little earlier than before to give Association of California scary at times, but it’s worked out said. Signature verification is people and the post office extra Sacramento, Calif. for me and I’m glad my parents the crucial step in verifying time to process everything.” supported me in this journey. ballots, which election judges, Tunnell said unilateral action Number of years involved in Every morning I read: Twitter, trained in handwriting analysis, without input from the people NACo: I began at CWDA in 2000 The New York Times and a do with each ballot that comes who put on elections is one of and started playing an active California-focused compendium in, comparing the signature to the fastest ways to lose the con- role in NACo and the National of headlines called “Rough and up to five on record from differ- fidence of the voting public. Association of County Human SENDERLING-MCDONALD Tumble.” ent government documents. If a “States, please talk to us be- Services Administrators at that Dakota. (I think just being in an My favorite meal is: Zacha- ballot fails, then it is routed to a fore you make statewide deci- time. I’ve been formally on the airport does not count. I’ve done ry’s Pizza in Berkeley. When we full team of election staffers. If it sions,” she said. “Counties know HSE Steering Committee for something “real” enough to count first began dating, my husband doesn’t pass muster, they con- what their culture is.” about 10 years. as a visit in each of the states I’ve and I described our “favorite tact the voter. Too many changes, like sud- Years in public service: 23 included.) pizza place” to each other. We “It’s getting better because den changes to state-wide mail described it completely different- the quality of signatures we ballots in Nevada, could throw Occupation: Deputy director The most adventurous thing ly, but it turns out we were talking have on file has increased,” people for a loop. Eureka Coun- at the statewide association rep- I’ve ever done is: Learn how to about the same place! Hatch said, “The failure rate is ty’s staff struggled to keep up resenting California’s 58 county ride a motorcycle and pass the much lower than it used to be.” with the changes so they could human services agencies. I am test to get this designation on my My pet peeve is: People be a trusted authority to the registered to lobby the California driver’s license. who are unnecessarily mean to Legislature and I work on both We want it that way public. My favorite way to relax is: others. budget and legislation. I’m also State governments are still “They need reassurance that Put the classical station on the My motto is: “In life, as in the primary liaison to our federal taking action that could affect their vote will count, and it XM while I’m driving. football, the principle to follow how counties administer their won’t be subject to fraud any representative. I’m most proud of: Being is: Hit the line hard.” — Theodore elections, and it’s crucial to more than in a regular election,” I have a Bachelors Education: willing to move to new cities, Roosevelt make counties’ voices heard in Nunn said. in Journalism from the University where I don’t know anyone, when The last book I read was: the process. Hatch is worried It’s a situation where even of Missouri — Columbia and Station Eleven by Emily St. John that the Utah Legislature’s spe- though a national election is a Master of Science in Public Mandel. It’s about a pandemic cial session could impose new a composite of 3,069 smaller Policy and Management from the (timely). rules, like when it outlawed units, scaling doesn’t necessar- Heinz College at Carnegie Mellon My favorite movie is: in-person voting options during ily mean better results. University in Pittsburgh. It varies, but probably right My favorite music is: I was the primary. “Being as small as we are is now my favorite is The Lego raised on classic rock (Beatles, The hardest thing I’ve ever “We asked them then to let us beneficial to the community,” Batman Movie, which I’ve Rolling Stones, Clapton, Queen) done: Pregnancy! It took some choose,” Hatch said. “They said Nunn said. “Everybody knows listened to from the front by my parents but I also love new help from doctors to get pregnant you could choose between mail everybody. We’re here in case seat while my son watches wave, punk and alternative (U2, due to fertility issues. After we or a voter not leaving their car people have questions. We stay it on the DVD system in my Depeche Mode, New Order, The successfully achieved that, I was to drop off their ballot and the on top of requests from the pub- car about two dozen times. Cure). My husband has also got- nauseated the entire time, devel- county assumes all the liability. lic.” There are so many great ten me into the harder rock— I’ve oped high blood pressure and my lines. It’s truly hilarious. We seen Metallica twice, including legs swelled to the point we were quote it all the time. once with the San Francisco wrapping them in cabbage leaves ELECTION SECURITY RESOURCES Symphony and Iron Maiden twice every day to try to get the swelling as well. down. It was all worth it to end up On top of the traditional and adaptive processes to run with our wonderful son (now 6) of My favorite U.S. president is: I shook Jimmy Carter’s hand a secure election, computer system security is a constant course, but wow. when I was in first grade and he Three people (living or threat. visited my hometown of Granite dead) I’d invite to dinner: My “You have to ensure your voter registration systems are City, Ill. during his unsuc- husband, my son and my completely secure, and the only way you can do that is cessful re-election bid father. Nearly every day, against Ronald Reagan, so patch, make sure you secure all of your passwords and I wish that my dad had I’ve always had a soft spot follow all the protocols,” Tunnell said. lived long enough to meet for him. “If you don’t know how to do it, don’t say you can’t, find my son. My association is a out how.” A dream I have is to: NACo member be- Have an amazing craft cause: My association and sewing room where I ● The U.S. Department of Homeland Security offers resources for is a long-time mem- can do projects. election officials:https://www.cisa.gov/election-security-library ber of the National ● As does the Center for Internet Security: https://www.cisecurity. You’d be surprised Association of County org/elections-resources/ to learn: I have Human Services Ad- ● If your county doesn’t have an information technology depart- visited 47 states and ministrators and I’m ment, contact NACo CIO Rita Reynolds at [email protected]. have only three to go: Vermont, proud to live in a 100 South Carolina and North percent state! 6 AUGUST 17, 2020 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS ‘We’re under a lot of pressure to get a good count’ ment.” BEHIND From CENSUS page 1 THE Henderson County has a sig- EAU CLAIRE COUNTY, WIS. have signed onto a letter to U.S. nificant migrant worker popula- SEAL Senate leadership from the Cen- tion, and reaching them through sus Project, pleading for the next social service nonprofits has he Eau Claire County, Wis. seal was designed by Kenneth COVID relief bill to extend statu- helped the effort make inroads Campbell, a University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire art profes- tory deadlines for four months. with that community, Compher T sor. The seal was officially adopted in 1983. “Currently, there are low re- said. sponse areas in every part of the He was already worried about The eagle crest above the coat Two white pine trees country, in every state, in every how the pandemic would throw of arms represents Old Abe, signify the county’s major the bald eagle mascot for a natural resource. city,” the letter said. the county’s plans into disar- company of Eau Claire soldiers “If remaining counting opera- ray, and even though the data during the Civil War. Two cornstalks represent tions are not done well, commu- collection deadline was extend- the county’s largest agri- nities most in need of resources ed, Compher feels it won’t be On either side of the shield, the cultural commodity. to improve quality of life and enough to get an accurate count. date of “1856” represents the standards of living will get the “It was already going to be year the county was created. 18 white fleurs-de-lis short end of the stick for the next challenging for the enumerators, represent the county’s decade.” sized that success is going to going out to some of those rural The five fleurs-de-lis at the townships. “Too much is at stake — the come from a collaborative ap- places, now I know it’s desperate top of the shield represent the three cities and two undercount of vulnerable pop- proach.” that they get out the door,” he Two cornstalks represent the villages in the county. ulations such as young children, Cook County is using data said. county’s largest agricultural people in low-income commu- from the Census Bureau to stra- There’s no room for compla- commodity. The seal incorporates cog nities (rural and urban), immi- tegically approach undercount- cency when federal funding and wheels that represent the grants, American Indians and ed census tracts, which helps representation is on the line, The French words “Voici L’eau county’s industry. others; congressional represen- partners focus their efforts. though. Claire” on the banner below the shield are taken from the tation and the annual allocation “We know exactly which Even for Dakota County, A lighted lamp symbolizes book The Illustrated History of $1.5 trillion in 2 federal fund- neighborhoods we need to im- Minn., which has broken the 80 the county’s educational of Eau Claire which describes ing to states and localities.” prove on,” Sorrell said. “That’s percent self-response rate, beat- resources. how explorers found clean, Already stretched thin in re- making these adjustments a lot ing its 2010 rate, that 20 percent drinkable water at the mouth sponse to the COVID-19 pan- easier.” remaining seems daunting to of the Eau Claire River. It trans- demic, many counties say Sorrell said that though the Management Analyst Jane Van- lates to “Here is clear water.” changing course on the support county was focused throughout derpoel. they have pledged to the cen- on the census, the civil unrest She credited the extended The seal contains space sus effort might not be feasible, in June following George Floyd’s deadline with giving the county’s at the bottom to add the and their only hope is to stay the death forced parts of the county residents time to meet their 80 names of county offices or course and hope that helps. to redirect efforts to repair com- percent goal. departments. “Our original plan was to push munity relations and property “We still have 33,000 house- out stuff with the schools, but damage, which cost the census holds to hear from, that’s why we those were blown right out of efforts some time. signed onto the letter,” she said. the water when schools closed “We knew from the beginning “We need more time to do this If you would like your county’s seal featured in “Behind the Seal,” down earlier this year,” said this would be a journey,” Sorrell right in these conditions.” contact Rachel Looker at [email protected]. Cooke County, Texas Judge Ja- said. son Brinkley, whose county sat “When the pandemic hit, it at a 58.7 percent response rate as took away a lot of the face-to- of Aug 13. face events we had planned, and “Our plan is still to use the a lot of those went virtual. We GET TO Otsego County, N.Y schools in the next couple of can still get things done on an KNOW... weeks to distribute as much in- operational level, building coa- formation as we can, but we’re litions with other organizations, basically just at the whims of the but it forced us to rethink a lot of Welcome, Otsego shorter timeline.” what we were planning.” County, N.Y. Cooke County’s second av- In Henderson County, Otsego County is located primary industries in the enue for getting information N.C., Planner Jacob Compher in central New York at the health, education services and one mile wide. Cooper- out to residents was churches, planned to speak to the local Ro- foothills of the northern and tourism sectors. stown is also home to the which are mainly empty during tary Club in a remote meeting. Catskills. The county was The county seat is Coo- the pandemic. “The new deadline gives us a National Baseball Hall of officially established in 1791 perstown, named after Up in Illinois, Cook County whole new sense of urgency,” he Fame and Museum. and named for a Native its founder Judge William was also thrown for a loop by said. “We’re making new efforts American word meaning Cooper. Cooper’s son was the new deadline, but in a larg- to reach out to trusted voices “place of the rock.” The city James Fenimore Cooper, er county with more resources who can communicate the im- of Oneonta includes the a famous writer who dedicated to the census efforts, portance of the census to people “Table Rock,” a geological wrote The Last of the Mo- there’s a little more adjustment who have been hard to reach. formation that is a popular hicans. Cooperstown sits on that can be made. “In a rural area like this, dis- hiking spot in the county. “We’re going to shift our prior- trust for government can be a the southern shore of Otsego ities to be more grassroots,” said key obstacle, nobody wants to Oneonta is also home to the Lake, which serves as the Jourdan Sorrell, director of pub- give away personal informa- State University of New York source of the Susquehan- lic policy and research for Com- tion, so these messages aren’t College at Oneonta. Otsego na River and is the largest missioner Stanley Moore. always the best coming from the County’s current popula- body of water in the county Babe Ruth “This news has just reempha- government, even local govern- tion is around 60,000 with stretching eight miles long COUNTY NEWS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES AUGUST 17, 2020 7 SPONSORED CONTENT GRAB AN OAR AND PULL Because we’re all in the same boat now

by William Cherry as one to help us make it safely second-hand folding tables as similar-sized counties! That lic services are to be delivered director of Public Partnerships through this storm. We need desks. We would also be driving represents $2 million in public without interruption. for three+one them to recognize that when our local government deeper services and infrastructure im- After all, we are all in this one side of the boat rows in one and deeper into debt as we tried provements that did not have same boat together. It will take Rowing a boat takes team- direction and the other side to deliver necessary services to be paid for by their taxpay- the willingness of each and ev- work, especially during a storm. rows in the opposite direction, such as law enforcement, road ers. Another great example is ery one of us to grab ahold of It requires people working to- the ship is dead in the water. and bridge repairs and public Lehigh County, Pa. They earned an oar, plant our feet firmly on gether toward a common goal. One thing that everyone health. And trying to do all that about $489,000 annually in in- the deck and then do our best If half of the rowers are deter- should be able to agree on is with a taxpayer base that was terest before partnering with to pull in the same direction as mined to head north, while the that local governments are go- already tapped out. Our boat three+one in 2017. Last year the person in front of us and the other half are just as resolved ing to need substantial financial would be leaking, foundering Lehigh County earned more person behind us. Our journey to head south, nothing gets assistance during this pandem- and in serious danger of actual- than $2 million in interest on will be challenging, full of sur- accomplished — no forward ic if we are to have any chance at ly sinking. their available cash — despite prises and potentially danger- progress is made, and the boat all of a really full recovery within We at three+one are also do- the fact that interest rates have ous. But in the end, if we can all will never reach the safe haven a reasonable time period. ing our part to pull on the oars. actually gone down! just keep the distant shoreline of land. As a former disaster recovery We help local governments Each and every one of us can in sight and pull together to- COVID-19 is very likely to be coordinator for a county in up- make the most of what they make our own contributions to ward a common goal, we can the storm of our lifetime. It’s too state New York, I saw firsthand have, so they can collect that help our communities and our and will make it through this early to say for sure, but there just how critical federal funding much less from the taxpayers. nation make their way through storm. is some chance that history is to a community that is strug- We provide data and finan- this disaster. Though we must will describe it as our “Storm of gling to get back on its feet in the cial forecasts on the funds that certainly address the public The team at three+one is proud the Century.” Either way, it is a aftermath of a natural disaster. a county or municipality has health crisis of COVID-19, we to partner with NACo as we tempest that is rocking the very With significant federal help (in on deposit. That information must also address the financial jointly assist the nation’s county foundations of our economy our case, almost $100 million), it gives them the opportunity aftermaths that this pandemic governments during these times. and our society. We are all sit- still took my community almost to maximize the value of that will surely have on our society To learn more about how NACo ting together in a lifeboat now, 10 years to recover from a dev- cash. For example, New York’s over the next several years. It works with three+one to devel- heaving and swaying as the astating flood. WITHOUT any Orange County has been us- is critically important that lo- op financially sound solutions, storm rages around us. And we federal assistance?? We would ing our liquidity analysis ser- cal governments receive direct contact Kyle Cline at kcline@ all have a responsibility to grab still be running county offices vices since 2018. Last year they federal funding now — before naco.org or by phone at (317) an oar and do our part to help from rented garages and using earned $2 million MORE than it’s too late — if necessary pub- 502-7415. our neighbors and ourselves if we’re going to make it safe- ly to shore. We have much to be thankful for — our “ship” is sound and our backs are strong — and we have a common goal. We must recognize that there are a huge number of heroes who are already pulling with all their might on their oars and trying their best to keep us alive. They are our nation’s healthcare workers, medical professionals, public health officials and emergency re- sponders. They are straining and struggling, putting their very lives on the line for us and our families, day in and day out. Their hands are blistered and their muscles are weary, and it is our duty and respon- sibility to man our own oars to try to take some of the burden off their shoulders. Some oars are more powerful than others and the rowers who hold them can make enormous contributions to the success of our journey. Members of Con- gress must put aside their politi- cal differences and pull together 8 AUGUST 17, 2020 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NATION

further violations, The Mercury News reported. Other public health requirements include social distancing at least six feet and not gathering in large groups.

HAWAII ● MAUI COUNTY has creat- ed a virtual job fair website CALIFORNIA to help county residents get FLORIDA ● Individuals who test posi- back to work. Individuals seek- Commissioners in WALTON COUNTY voted to spend CARES Act funding to purchase tive for COVID-19 and can’t af- ing employment can view the COVID-19 rapid testing equipment. The purchase will include three rapid-testing machines, ford to self-isolate will be paid website for job opportunities staff to operate the equipment and testing strips, the Northwest Florida Daily News reported. to stay at home through a new and job training. Maui County The rapid tests will provide results within 15 minutes as opposed to multiple days. In addition program in ALAMEDA COUN- Mayor Michael Victorino said to being used for community testing, one machine will also be used for testing in the county TY. The program helps individ- the virtual tool provides a safe jail, county government offices and other situations where immediate results are needed.Photo courtesy of The Northwest Florida Daily News uals who may have to choose option for employers to find between going to work or stay- employees while helping res- ing at home and losing a job, idents earn livable wages. The NBC Bay Area reported. The website is in partnership with ● The council in MONTGOM- MONTGOMERY COUNTY provide pre-paid return post- county will pay $1,250 to those the economic development ERY COUNTY unanimously where officials decided to -en age for election absentee bal- who test positive for the virus, office, the workforce develop- approved a use of force bill for force closures of private schools lots this fall. The program is do not qualify for unemploy- ment board and the University police. The bill prohibits the as well as public schools. Ho- funded through the Oakland ment benefits or paid sick leave of Hawaii Maui College. use of chokeholds and limits gan said schools should make Together Local Government and have a referral from clinics “no-knock” warrants, WTOP the determination whether to Partnership program, estab- in high-risk areas. The county MARYLAND News reported. Under the leg- open for classes, The Baltimore lished with funds from the plans to help 7,500 people in ● ANNUE ARUNDEL COUN- islation, police are prevented Sun reported. CARES Act. The ballot program communities hardest hit by the TY launched Operation COVID from striking an individual removes a barrier to make it virus through the program. Health Corps to hire unem- who is restrained and from fir- easier for county residents to ployed workers in the county ing weapons at a moving vehi- vote by mail. ● CONTRA COSTA, NAPA, and increase efforts to reduce cle. The bill allows police to use MARIN, SANTA CRUZ and the spread of the coronavirus. deadly force “when absolutely MINNESOTA SAN MATEO counties have The new initiative involves necessary, as a last resort or RAMSEY COUNTY is of- imposed fines for not wearing increased contact tracing, ad- when no other alternatives are fering county residents who face masks in public areas. In ditional testing, faster results, available.” have lost income because of San Mateo County, supervisors handling high call demands COVID-19 funds for emergen- voted for mask-less individ- and solving interagency issues, ● Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan cy rent, mortgage and utility uals to face up to a $500 fine. according to CBS Baltimore. (R) issued an emergency order assistance. County residents First-time violators of corona- The county’s workforce devel- that prevents counties from MICHIGAN may receive up to $5,500 to virus-related public health re- opment board will hire unem- ordering closures of schools Commissioners in OAK- help pay rent or mortgage pay- quirements will receive a $100 ployed workers throughout the for the start of the school year. LAND COUNTY voted to es- ments, damage deposits or to fine followed by a $250 fine for county to fill the added posi- The order comes after Ho- tablish the Oakland Together keep utilities from being dis- a second offense and $500 for tions. gan overturned a decision in Absentee Ballot program to connected, the Pioneer Press reported.

MISSOURI HAWAII ST. LOUIS COUNTY is pur- ● KAUA’I COUNTY launched the Mahalo Green Card Placard Program chasing thousands of mobile to distinguish between inter-island travelers and visitors who must quaran- hotspots and tablets to help tine for 14 days because of the coronavirus. Individuals with a green placard students attend school virtual- are able to proceed through a screening process when arriving on the is- ly this fall. A study conducted land, KITV4 Island News reported. Those with a white placard must stop at by the St. Louis County library a police checkpoint for additional screening. Kaua’i is the only island with a found that more than 10,000 screening process for visitors from neighboring Hawaiian islands. Photo cour- households did not have access tesy KITV4 Island News to the internet, KMOV4 report- ed. With CARES Act funding, the county is purchasing 12,500 COUNTY NEWS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES AUGUST 17, 2020 9

tax on incomes of more than some of these cases,” Christo- $125,000 for single filers or pher Flanagan, a detective for $250,000 for joint filers. The the county police department’s Multnomah County Depart- cold case division, told WTOP ment of Human Services would News. oversee the preschool pro- gram, The Oregonian reported. WASHINGTON KING COUNTY reached its PENNSYLVANIA goal of planting one million The state Board of Educa- trees throughout the county hotspots, 2,500 tablet comput- tion has approved the estab- a year early, with the county ers and access to an online tu- lishment of ERIE COUNTY partnering with cities, tribes, tor 12 hours a day each day of Community College. The Erie nonprofits, youth organiza- the week for all students in St. Reader noted that “the north- tions, schools and business- Louis County schools. western region of Pennsyl- es and has yielded 1,122,535 vania represents the largest trees. King County Parks’ Vol- NEVADA geographical swath of the Key- unteer Program organized With eviction moratoria on stone State unrepresented by a tree-planting events through- the brink of expiration, the community college tied to the NEW YORK out the region with more than CLARK COUNTY Board of Commonwealth’s public sys- ● Most people need rabies like they need a hole in the head, 31,000 volunteers contribut- Commissioners approved an t e m .” so counties across western New York will airdrop rabies vac- ing to the initiative and help- emergency ordinance making cines into rural parts of ERIE and NIAGARA counties. The ing restore parks. The original it illegal to discriminate against VIRGINIA vaccines are laced with bait that will attract raccoons, foxes goal — established in the 2015 anyone applying for housing if ● Amid rising COVID-19 case and skunks, and are usually consumed within four days. Strategic Climate Action Plan they have a prior eviction re- numbers and a sharp increase — was for the county to plant a lated to the pandemic. It also in deaths, the ARLINGTON half million trees with partners stops landlords from discrim- COUNTY Board passed an planting the remaining 500,000 inating against anyone based emergency ordinance prohib- be treated as a traffic infraction, trees by the end of 2020. on their source of income. iting groups of more than three with a fine not to exceed $100, people from congregating on though Board members said News from Across the Nation NEW YORK streets and sidewalks. Those the goal will be to educate the is compiled by Charlie Ban ● On the eve of the fall semes- rules apply where restrictions public and achieve voluntary and Rachel Looker. Does ter, RENSSELEAR COUNTY are posted requiring pedestri- compliance without the need your county have some news has offered two days of ded- ans to maintain at least six feet to write tickets, ArlingtonNOW we should consider? Contact us icated testing to ensure col- of physical separation from reported. The ordinance will be at [email protected] and rlook- lege students are screened others on the posted streets revisited in a public hearing in ● Thanks to a local Ea- [email protected]. for COVID-19. Any college and sidewalks. Violations will September. gle Scout, all 42 of FAIRFAX student who is also a resident COUNTY’s medic units will of the county may come to the carry resource kits for cases county-run site in the parking dealing with people with anx- lot of Van Rensselaer Manor for iety disorders or autism. Adri- free testing with an appoint- an’s Resource Care Kits, the ment, along with proof of resi- brainchild of 17-year-old Adri- dency, valid six months before an Allred, include headphones, finally! the date of testing. sensory balls, sunglasses, fid- NACo swag get spinners, flavored tongue OKLAHOMA depressors, pipe cleaners and is now In a first for OKLAHOMA stretchy men. The Fire and Res- available COUNTY Sheriff’s deputies, cue Department will replace online! when they searched the home the single-use items as needed, naco.org/store of a man who died of natu- and the department reported ral causes, they found a pipe that one of the kits was help- bomb. That wasn’t the novel ful hours after it was delivered part. What was noteworthy was in July, when crews responded that the late property owner to a call for a assistance for a had also left a note detailing young, nonverbal child. valuable information about the explosive which was help- ● FAIRFAX COUNTY has ful to the deputies and the NEW YORK also launched a new website county’s bomb squad, which ● The STEUBEN COUNTY Sheriff’s Office donated 138 to view cold case homicide safely detonated the bomb. pounds of vegetables from its Inmate Garden Program to briefs, opening the books to the Corning Food Pantry, including onions, green peppers, six decades of unsolved cases OREGON zucchini, yellow squash and cucumbers. The garden teaches in hopes that the public will be A November ballot measure inmates the skills needed to establish a garden area, plant, able to offer insight and, poten- will let MULTNOMAH COUN- tend and harvest vegetables, along with teaching food sus- tially, leads. TY voters decide on funding tainability to the inmates. The 138 pounds donated repre- “I know for sure, 100 percent, free preschool for children sented half of the harvest, with the other half supplementing that there are people out there ages 3 and 4. The measure inmates’ meals. that have information that would create a multitiered could lead to the resolution of 10 AUGUST 17, 2020 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS

BRIGHTIDEAS BEXAR COUNTY, Texas Unit Acts as Watchdog Against Vehicle Title Fraud, Title Rejections “We’ll go and make surprise the problem when vehicles motor vehicles, he said. “It protects our citizens from PROBLEM: spot checks in order to keep come to the county from out of “We took the initiative and having bad transactions, ille- The state of Texas saw an everybody on their toes,” Uresti state. used everybody’s training in- gal transactions and the titles upward trend in vehicle title said. “There’s a lot of extra illegal cluding our in-house experi- not done right,” he said. “Peo- rejections. Fraudulent activity includes activity so it’s important that ence to be able to make our ple can feel good about buying altered titles, false names and we are able to monitor every- people experts,” Uresti said. a vehicle if they come to our SOLUTION: addresses and multiple trans- thing,” he said. According to Uresti, the unit office or to a full-service title Create a special investigation unit actions from the same individ- The SIU has now expanded is beneficial to the county be- company.” to oversee the vehicle title transfer uals or companies. Uresti said its role to review and moni- cause it reviews every transac- Uresti advises other coun- and registration process. staff in the unit check titles, tor the work of the Tax Asses- tion put forward by full-service ties interested in replicating odometer readings to see if sor-Collector office and prop- title companies. the full-service title company by Rachel Looker they have been rolled back or erty tax operations. “To have a designated team model to ensure that business- staff writer purposefully written down in- “Because of the fact that we that looks at every single trans- es have brick and mortar loca- correctly and sales tax numbers reacted quickly and put this action, that has a workplace tions and the county serves as When Bexar County, Texas to ensure the state receives the unit together, we were able to assigned and that also checks the watchdog. Tax Assessor-Collector Albert proper amount. The unit also avoid a lot of the problems that property tax as well as motor “They can be a blessing if Uresti began to notice a trend regulates full-service title com- other counties had,” he said. vehicles, that’s what makes us you have strong oversight over of vehicle title work reject- panies to ensure they’re not The SIU has stopped fraudu- unique,” he said. these companies and they can ed throughout the county, he overcharging for title transfers. lent activity and uncovered 37 During the pandemic, the provide a lot more access,” he knew he needed to investigate. “I can’t tell you how many different addresses reoccurring county has been able to offer said. “As budgets are being cut The Bexar County Tax As- times we see people who buy on vehicle title applications 60 fully operational private back… this is a very inexpen- sessor-Collector’s Motor Vehi- vehicles and they just sign over used for over 700 title transfers. business partners through the sive way to provide additional cle Registration Department the title and their odometer may The unit also stopped a group full-service title companies locations and additional ser- oversees the processing of be wrong,” he said. “What it [the of 17 individuals working as that are available to the public vices for the community.” more than two million vehicle unit] does is protect our citizens independent consultants who when county lobbies closed. title transfers and registrations from getting into bad deals.” were not licensed or autho- The county does not pay to op- Bexar County’s A Proven De- each year. The county part- The issue of vehicle title fraud rized. erate these locations. Uresti es- fense Against Vehicle Title ners with private agencies or was a challenge in the coun- “We had really gotten it timated it would cost between Fraud — The Special Inves- full-service title companies to ty and would have become a down to a fine art,” Uresti said. $3 million to $5 million per tigation Unit — is the recipi- offer more than 60 additional bigger issue if not prevented, The unit has a staff of five to year to operate just three of the ent of a Best in Category 2020 vehicle registration locations Uresti said. He explained how six full-time employees who all locations if the county were to NACo Achievement Award in with extended business hours natural disasters such as hur- completed training in-house shut down the full-service title the County and Administration for county residents. ricanes or flooding exacerbate and through the department of company business model. Management category. These full-service title com- panies process 40 percent of the county’s title transfer work and 20 percent of vehicle regis- tration renewals. Uresti explained how re- jections for vehicle title work came from private, unregulat- ed individuals and full-service title companies, which led to the formation of the Special Investigation Unit (SIU). The unit serves as a quality control department and examines ve- hicle title transfer applications and related documents. “We just felt like we needed to go after this problem and try to curtail the activity as much as possible,” Uresti said. The unit’s staff examines -ti tles to identify clerical errors and conducts unannounced visits to full-service title com- panies to review documents as well as inventory for license Roger Barrientos, lead title and registration processor, and Nieves Medrano, title and registration processor II, examine vehicle title plates and registration stickers. transfer applications and related documents. COUNTY NEWS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES AUGUST 17, 2020 11

CONGRATULATIONS TO NACo ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS BEST IN CATEGORY WINNERS! Most years, the winners of NACo’s Achievement Awards are feted at a luncheon at the Annual Conference. Since we weren’t able to salute the winners in person this year, we’re celebrating them here in the pages of County News. Be sure to read Bright Ideas, our column that looks at Achievement Award winners’ work in-depth, in hopes that our readers can learn from these exceptional county programs. Congratulations all!

Children learn about the art of quilting at San Bernardino County’s Old West Days. Photo courtesy of San Bernardino County

ARTS, CULTURE event features demonstrations, spired to learn more about San for what would eventually be- porting suspected child abuse re-enactors, engaging activities Bernardino County’s diverse come known as the Inland Em- or neglect. Not all calls rise to AND HISTORIC and entertainment for all ages and extensive history and gain pire and evoke a sense of pride the level of needing an investi- PRESERVATION and backgrounds. In two years, a sense of what life was like in in our community’s shared her- gation, but thousands of those Old West Days: the event has grown from 12 to the 1800s here in the Inland itage. families can benefit from com- over 20 participating nonprofit Empire. Visitors are able to see munity prevention supports. Yet, Broadening Myths and partners all contributing to a rich how food was made and pre- CHILDREN AND only one out of every 10 families Legends to Reflect visitor experience and present- served, understand what tools offered community services by Authentic Histories ing multiple historical perspec- were used in different indus- YOUTH DCFS in 2017 were connected. San Bernardino County, Calif. tives. The event aspires to build tries and enjoy entertainment Moving Families from the Many families declined, and The focus of the San Bernardi- a strong sense of community and games. Additionally, with Hotline to a Helpline excessive wait times for those no County Museum’s Old West through inclusiveness and ac- the participation of partners in Los Angeles County, Calif. who were interested resulted in Days is for visitors to experience cessibility, making history more programming, visitors can grasp an additional 339 families drop- a heretofore traditional era in meaningful, culturally relevant how truly diverse this region was Each year, the Department of ping out of the process, never ways that better reflect the con- and fun for attendees. (and still is). Visitors learn how Children and Family Services’ getting the help they needed. tributions of diverse cultures By participating in the pro- the various communities within (DCFS) Child Protection Hotline in the myths and legends. The gram, museum visitors are in- this region laid the foundation receives over 220,000 calls re- See AWARDS page 12 12 AUGUST 17, 2020 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS

able results. Depending on the contract type, the number of bidders increased 7 to 37 per- centage points when we adver- tised using social media. We’ve connected with new audiences; 30 percent of our Facebook clicks are from our Spanish ads, whereas before we had no Spanish advertising. King County’s unique social media program encourages broader participation among di- verse suppliers to compete for our contracts. These additional bidders create new economic development opportunities in our community and ensure bet- Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services celebrate Moving Families from the Hotline to a Helpline. ter value for our taxpayers. Best of all, this strategy can be easily From AWARDS page 11 child safety and increased fam- The contest stresses the right club which provides cash prizes reproduced in other counties for ily stability for our residents. of an individual to petition their are the judges. In 2019, 17 stu- little or no cost. Lean Six Sigma principles government and gives students dents from seven public and pri- were applied to streamline the CIVIC EDUCATION an opportunity to learn how to vate high schools participated. COUNTY linkage process, re-imagine address locally elected leaders AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION DCFS and community-partner with their point of view while COMMUNITY roles, and create multidisci- INFORMATION generating widespread interest AND MANAGEMENT plinary teams. As a result, 734 in what the students have to say. AND ECONOMIC Public Business from The A Proven Defense Against families were connected to pre- With the press in attendance DEVELOPMENT vention supports in one year, Floor High School Speech and the event streamed live on Vehicle Title Fraud: The Engaging Diverse Business more than tripling the number Contest the internet, each participant Special Investigation Unit from 2017. Enrollment wait Sutter County, Calif. gets three minutes at the lec- Communities in Public Bexar County, Texas times were reduced by 48 per- Five years ago, the Sutter tern— the same amount of time Procurements The Bexar County Tax Asses- cent, as families received ser- County Board of Supervisors allotted to speakers at Board King County, Wash. sor-Collector’s (TAC’s) Motor vices up to 13 business days created a novel program to en- meetings— to argue a position King County successfully im- Vehicle Registration Depart- faster. The rate of children re-re- gage high school students in on a topic that falls under the plemented a new program that ment oversees the processing ferred to DCFS who had been local government affairs. The jurisdiction of the county. Par- improves competition for public of over 2 million motor vehicle abused or neglected dropped annual “Public Business From ticipants are encouraged to vis- procurements and engages our title transfers and registrations by 1.22 percent, and, of those The Floor” high school speech it the county’s website to learn diverse business communi- annually in compliance with re-referred, 16.54 percent more contest encourages high school what the county does and are ty. Since January 2019, we’ve Texas Department of Motor Ve- children safely remained in their students to research county judged, among other things, on promoted contracting opportu- hicle regulations. To ensure ve- homes, resulting in a cost avoid- issues and advocate a posi- how relevant the topic is to coun- nities using a combination of hicle transactions are complet- ance. In just its first year, this tion from the lectern at a real ty business. County supervisors free posts or inexpensive ads ed in a timely and professional project has already improved board of supervisors meeting. and members of a local service on social media. The program’s manner, Bexar County uses a goal is to increase the number business model that partners of bids we receive, and target private agencies with its TAC’s suppliers that are traditionally Office. The partnership has underutilized such as small been cost-effective and bene- businesses or wom- ficial for Bexar County and its en/minority-owned 2 million plus citizens because businesses. Few private business partners are government agen- able to offer over 60 additional cies currently use vehicle registration locations social media to with extended business hours at advertise con- minimal cost to the county. tracts. After a full The Bexar County TAC’s Spe- year, our program cial Investigation Unit (SIU) was shows measur- created to be the ultimate qual- ity control department. Formed in 2016 to combat increasing Sutter County, Calif. students title fraud in the state, the Coun- celebrate after ty TAC’s SIU was tasked with taking part in the examining vehicle transactions Public Business presented by its 20 Full-Service from the Floor speech contest. See AWARDS page 13 COUNTY NEWS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES AUGUST 17, 2020 13

From AWARDS page 12 a web-based software platform for engaging communities in Title Companies, numerous sustainability competitions vehicle dealers, and certain in- leading to measurable impacts dividuals. The SIU’s goals were in carbon and energy cost sav- to defend against title fraud, ings, and waste diversion. The minimize title errors and to col- platform enables entry of utility laborate with external and law data and actions, informs par- enforcement agencies. As part ticipants about their energy use of its original goal, the SIU’s role effectiveness, tracks business has expanded to include review participation and results, engag- and monitoring for the TAC’s es participants in fun and en- 220 employees and their inter- gaging competitions, measures nal motor vehicle and property and displays organization, com- tax operations. munity-wide results, and offers awards to individual organiza- COUNTY RESILIENCY: tions for action. The challenge creatively lev- INFRASTRUCTURE, eraged businesses’ needs to ENERGY AND green their operations as a SUSTAINABILITY means to achieve communi- ty-wide impactful energy and Bring Your Green resources reduction by allowing Challenge enrollment at all scales (city, city Montgomery County, Ohio organizations and people within A K9 therapy dog comforts a family in Montgomery County, Ohio as part of the county’s efforts to organizations, as well as citizens provide emotional and mental health resources to residents following tragedies. Addressing the difficulty in at large) and thus is designed Record Relief Program behalf. The goal of the program Montgomery County, Ohio making sustainability important for national scalability. San Diego County, Calif. is to remove barriers to success- to the people we serve, espe- ful community reintegration, In 2019, Montgomery County, cially for small businesses and Fresh Start is the Office of the improve individuals’ access to Ohio, which includes the City of organizations lacking resources, CRIMINAL JUSTICE Public Defender’s Comprehen- employment, housing, educa- Dayton, faced what many de- Montgomery County has devel- AND PUBLIC SAFETY sive Criminal Record Relief Pro- tion and other forms of civic scribe as one of the most chal- oped and launched an innova- gram designed to educate and engagement and thus reduce lenging years of all time. During tive Bring Your Green Challenge, Fresh Start Criminal advocate for community mem- recidivism and improve commu- this year, the county faced two bers in all areas of conviction nity safety. large crises within three months relief. A criminal record creates of each other that created the barriers to employment, hous- FINANCIAL unprecedented need to provide ing, education, volunteering residents with emotional and and other forms of civic engage- MANAGEMENT mental health resources. ment. Yet each of these oppor- Balancing Act The first crisis occurred the tunities that would be blocked Baltimore County, Md. evening of Memorial Day, May with a criminal record are critical 27, 2019, when a total of 15 to reducing recidivism. Reducing Leading into the Fiscal Year tornadoes touched down in the recidivism not only improves in- 2020 budget submission and county, with the largest torna- dividual outcomes, it advances facing an $81 million deficit, does hitting the cities of Trot- families’ well-being, supports Baltimore County launched an wood, Brookville, Riverside, and the economy and increases pub- online tool called Balancing Act. Dayton directly. It was later dis- lic safety. This tool allows county residents covered that the largest of the With recent criminal justice re- to learn more about the state of tornadoes carried winds up to form, there are more opportuni- Baltimore County’s budget and 170 mph and would be rated an ties to mitigate criminal records the difficult choices under con- EF4. While the tornadoes either and reduce these barriers, but sideration during the budgeting severely damaged or destroyed many individuals do not know process. more than 2,200 structures in their options nor how to seek Through the tool, residents Montgomery County; it also dis- relief. Staffed by experienced can closely examine the coun- placed over 1,100 households. attorneys, paralegals, support ty’s projected situation for the Within days of the devastating personnel and legal interns, coming fiscal year and simulate tornadoes, Montgomery Coun- Fresh Start provides community reallocating funds, and increas- ty Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and education and individual rep- ing possible revenue streams, in Mental Health Services (ADAM- resentation for people seeking order to balance spending and HS), and Public Health of Day- criminal conviction relief. revenue. ton & Montgomery County es- Our attorneys investigate cli- tablished a Family Assistance ents’ criminal histories, develop HEALTH Center to serve the community. comprehensive Fresh Start case While Montgomery County Individuals learn about conviction relief through San Diego Coun- plans, and seek all appropriate Spreading Our Wings ty, California’s Fresh Start Program. conviction relief on the clients’ During Tragedy See AWARDS page 14 14 AUGUST 17, 2020 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS

From AWARDS page 13 fulfilled, and 181 individuals at- mation onto San Diego County’s of a pop-up library we call the Li- Bernalillo County, N.M. tended eight trainings. Because searchable public internet por- brary to Go. This new service has and the City of Dayton continued of the community, airline and tal in March 2019. The idea was expanded the library’s capacity This program centers around to put in effort to rebuild after staff support, Helping Hands to make the data available for to build relationships, target ar- teaching individuals to use tran- the tornadoes, a second crisis continues to grow. the public, media and any other eas of need, and partner in the sitional living communities as a occurred. In the early morning agencies that work in academia, community to bring services, safe space to continue working of Sunday, August 4, 2019, a INFORMATION public health or public policy, materials, programs, technology on their recovery and to learn lone gunman opened fired in who could take the data, analyze resources, and internet access to utilize the strengths of their Dayton’s entertainment district, TECHNOLOGY it and provide valuable insights beyond the library walls and to surrounding community. Addic- known as the Oregon District. Medical Examiner’s Open back to the department and the people that need them the tion often forces individuals into Sadly, the gunman killed 9 peo- Data Portal even advance broader changes most, especially to non-tradition- isolation, so learning to be part ple and wounded 17 others. San Diego County, Calif. to improve public health and al locations and underserved au- of a dynamic community is of- Community and governmental safety. Since its release, this diences. ten something individuals trying agencies worked together to Every day, Medical Examiners data set has been viewed over During the school year, the Li- to maintain recovery struggle quickly establish the Recovery & and Coroners investigate deaths 16,000 times and downloaded brary to Go provides library ser- with. The program focuses on Resiliency Center (RRC) to again that are sudden, unexpected, nearly 600 times, making it the vices to schools without media how the Supportive Aftercare serve the community. and sometimes unclear. The most popular data search on the centers, nursing homes, child- Program (SAC), in the heart of San Diego County Medical Ex- county’s web portal. care centers, afterschool pro- Albuquerque’s International Dis- HUMAN SERVICES aminer strongly believes that grams and more. In the summer, trict, is teaching individuals how when death has a story to tell, LIBRARIES the Library to Go works out in to access various community Helping Hands one should listen. The depart- the community at summer learn- resources and use them as an Orange County, Calif. ment’s primary mission is to Library to Go ing programs in disadvantaged asset to their overall well-being, Airport travel, while an ex- work with the medical and law Catawba County, N.C. neighborhoods, community festi- while living as part of a unique citing and fun experience for enforcement community to un- The Catawba County Library vals and farmer’s markets meet- sober community. some, can be especially stress- derstand each person’s story views community-based library ing people where they are with Due to the overall success of ful for an individual with an au- of death, to seek justice, and to services as essential and at the resources they need. the SAC program and the desire tism spectrum disorder or other bring closure to families. Each the core of what keeps libraries to show individuals in the com- hidden disability. John Wayne story contributes to an import- strong and relevant. We under- PARKS AND munity that their community Airport strives to provide a su- ant bigger picture that is the stand that to truly turn outward does in fact care about them perior guest experience for all health and well-being of our and serve everyone we must get RECREATION and want them to be a part of travelers and wanted to ensure community. outside of our library building to the community, Bernalillo Coun- it was meeting the needs of fam- Understanding the value in meet people where they are. Supportive Aftercare ty decided to combine forces be- ilies traveling with individuals these stories and the data col- Beginning in 2018, in align- Program: Community tween two departments for the with hidden disabilities. To ease lected, the San Diego Medical ment with the county’s strategic Reintegration, a greater good of the community. some of the stress associated Examiner released more than initiatives, the Catawba County Collaboration with Parks with airport travel, the Airport 22 years of death record infor- Library established our version & Rec See AWARDS page 15 created “Helping Hands.” The Helping Hands program facilitates communication with TSA to arrange for TSA Cares assistance; coordinates with airlines to arrange special as- sistance; provides personalized help guiding travelers through the arrival, check-in, security and boarding processes; and conducts pre-travel tours to help prepare for the trip. Participants are provided with yellow brace- lets to inform airport employees that additional time and extra care may be required. Customer Relations staff, airport tenants and airlines receive specialized training, and ongoing marketing efforts continue with participa- tion at community events, pre- sentations and publicity. The program continues to expand as new partnerships arise, such as collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Associa- tion and veterans organizations. Since the program’s inception, 96 requests for personalized A child participates in Orange County, Calif.’s Helping Hands personalized travel asssistance program which aims to ease the stress of assistance or tours have been traveling for individuals with disabilities at the John Wayne Airport. COUNTY NEWS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES AUGUST 17, 2020 15

Buncombe County is seeing success making housing more affordable with its Community Oriented Development program. From AWARDS page 14 and then respond with a five- munity Oriented Development tation corridors, where public RISK AND step action plan. program was developed to water and sewer infrastruc- EMERGENCY This application highlights this With the full support of the incentivize density and de- ture is available. The program successful and creative collabo- county’s leadership, we orga- sign flexibility (based on a includes requirements for in- MANAGEMENT ration between Bernalillo Coun- nized and implemented a three- points-based system menu), come eligibility and set rental Preparing for a Wildfire ty’s Parks and Recreation De- year initiative to fully train our in exchange for affordable rates/housing price affordabil- with Neighborhood Fire partment and the Department employees and those of multi- or workforce housing units, ity for a minimum period of 15 Drills of Behavioral Health Services. ple allied organizations in MHFA. sustainability features, and years. Travis County, Texas Through participation in over community amenities. The pro- Since the creation of the pro- PERSONNEL 100 sessions, 2,126 staff were gram is allowed by-right in the gram, 130 new affordable and Climate change is causing trained in the MHFA curriculum. Zoning Ordinance and seeks workforce housing units have deadlier and more extreme MANAGEMENT, County staff combined plan- to provide opportunities for been approved through the weather across the planet. In EMPLOYMENT AND ning and training services with the creation of new affordable program and more projects are TRAINING local charitable organizations housing near major transpor- in the planning stages. See AWARDS page 16 to leverage scarce resources, A New, Collaborative enabling a more cost-effective Strategy to Build program. Innovative, positive Awareness of Mental strategies are needed to ad- Health Issues and Provide dress the increasing level of a Practical Response mental health issues prevalent Alachua County, Fla. in our communities. This coun- ty’s initiative demonstrates the There is an essential need for significant value of extending county employees to have the awareness of mental health is- tools necessary to understand sues and practical strategies to mental health issues presented our staff engaged in delivering by those citizens who may be services daily to those who may affected, and also to be empow- be in need. ered to respond to such persons appropriately. The training curric- PLANNING ulum of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an evidence-based Buncombe County strategy to assist lay people, Community Oriented including our employees on the Development front line, to identify such issues Buncombe County, N.C. among citizens when presented Buncombe County’s Com- Officials in Travis County, Texas hold a neighborhood-based fire drill to prepare for future wildfires. 16 AUGUST 17, 2020 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS

WORD ALLEGHENY COUNTY, SEARCH PENNSYLVANIA Created by: Mary Ann Barton

A H Q C S S S T E E L Q L S B E M Q F O D L N O R Q W O Q L O N V S L Y N B I I V S J U E D N G S A Z P W E P A N E L D N Z J R L N R E P A P S W E N Y W I R A G E I T E H I S T O R Y H M L T A I S R V W J H E A C O C U D M H P V R K Y N R A D B O T P N V I T D X A M T D U Z Z M C G H U S K J W U Q M M M I I A Q O S A C J M S Y I E R L F A U M J W P K K O Z I O X E L F K T Z L Q W W N I M B K Q D N H M P L F C E C X A K S T P U J F D K E G S L E O S M J H Q B T E U Y L D W B L N Z R I E H Y K M U S E I P V I W D Q Q X R H G X B R F S B P N S X Q Y Z R I M I Z D L B H U A U O G G R A W U Q O A S U I H X M K V R W M F X J Y B B G F B Z R O Z T C C G B V I J Y M R M G S U Y Volunteers working in Loudoun County’s Busy Buddies program help to reduce euthanasia rates of B S B P H P H R E N E O D G O B W L W S shelter animals. L I M E L O Q N D L H U A W C S O U W R From AWARDS page 15 maximize their useful life, thus VOLUNTEERS Y W B D O J R Z F F G K X O F V W C N H enhancing gravel longevity at particular, more intense rains, the lowest cost. If neglected Busy Buddies BASEBALL: The first World Series was PITTSBURGH: The county seat was followed by deeper, longer for extended periods of time, Loudoun County, Va. played in Pittsburgh in 1903, between named in 1758 in honor of British droughts are increasing the roads will rapidly deteriorate. Loudoun County Animal the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Boston statesman William Pitt. Americans. threat of uncontrollable wild- The Adams County Public Services (LCAS) receives over RADIO: The world’s first commercial BRIDGES: The county seat of Pitts- radio station, KDKA, is located in fires, such as the fires in Aus- Works Department manages 2,400 animals a year, and as burgh is known as the City of Bridges the county; it began by broadcasting tralia. The Austin-Travis County the Gravel Roads Resurfacing widespread spay/neuter efforts for its 446 bridges, more than any city results from the presidential election area was recently ranked fifth Program for residents in East- and access have taken hold in in the world. Nov. 2, 1920. nationwide for risk of devastat- ern Adams County. The intent the community, the population COURTHOUSE: The Allegheny County STEELERS: The hometown team is tied ing wildfires by Core Logic. of this program is to fund safe of animals in need of sheltering Courthouse was designed by H.H. with the New England Patriots for most A plague of wildfires broke and efficient gravel roads that has changed. Consistent with Richardson in the Romanesque Reviv- Super Bowl wins, at six champion- al style and built in 1888. ships. out around Travis County driv- have been identified as unsta- nationwide trends, more than FERRIS: County resident George Ferris TRAIL: The Great Allegheny Passage, a en by persistent drought and ble and hazardous. 60 percent of homeless pets invented the Ferris wheel. 334.5-mile car-free trail is for hikers, high winds. They overloaded fire Prior to 2017, these es- in Loudoun County arrive at HISTORY: The county was created runners and cyclists. and emergency responders who sential arteries were not al- the shelter in need of addition- Sept. 24, 1788 from parts of Wash- VACCINE: Dr. Jonas Salk invented the were pulled in many directions. ways well cared for, suffering al medical and/or behavioral ington and Westmoreland counties. polio vaccine here at the University of Residents didn’t know what to from nearly two decades of intervention prior to adoption. KETCHUP: The condiment was invent- Pittsburgh. do. In response to this threat, disrepair. New management Consequently, the staff com- ed in the county by Henry John Heinz, STEEL: Since 1875, hundreds of Travis County Commissioner in 2017 began a period of bined a set of volunteer-driven founder of H.J. Heinz Company. steel-related businesses called the county home. Brigid Shea’s office, along with change in Adams County. A in-kennel enrichment programs LENAPE: The county is said to be a Na- tive American word from the Lenape WARHOL: Pop artist icon Andy Warhol numerous county departments, shift from previous operations to reduce stress in dogs which tribe meaning “fine river.” grew up in Pittsburgh. created a neighborhood-based and new management encour- had historically led to behavior- NEWSPAPER: The local newspaper, fire drill pilot project to see if aged innovation by employees al decline, increased rates of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, has been such a fire drill would be useful. at every level. Embracing the contagious disease and eutha- around since 1786. If it worked, they planned to rep- unknown, employees conduct- nasia. licate the model and share it. ed a series of trials to develop LCAS developed “Busy Bud- They worked for over a year a unique mixture that trans- dies,” which carries minimal with an isolated, fire-threatened formed gravel roads to more cost and is almost entirely vol- community to create a model closely resemble their paved unteer-operated, to significant program. In March 2019, they counterpart. success. Euthanasia over the ran the first known neighbor- After several failed at- past four years dropped 21 per- hood-based fire drill in Texas. It tempts, our team discovered cent, disease outbreaks have worked. something extraordinary… a dropped by 60 percent, and new standard for gravel roads length of stay has dropped by Hire Quality Staff @ Jobs Online TRANSPORTATION everywhere. This new ap- nine days. Volunteers report proach to gravel roads creates high levels of satisfaction with www.naco.org/jobsonline Gravel Roads Resurfacing a surface that provides a bet- the youth-friendly craft pro- Program: Innovation in ter driving experience, great- grams, and spots for volunteer Local Government er durability, and less main- opportunities now routinely Adams County, Colo. tenance. This endeavor has have a waitlist. brought local, national and Read about these award-win- Gravel maintenance and re- international visitors to Adams ning programs in the Bright pair is the process of treating County in pursuit of the same Ideas column in each issue of roads at the optimum time to success. County News.