NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES ■ WASHINGTON, D.C. VOL. 40, NO. 8 ■ APRIL 21, 2008 BBillill aaimsims ttoo NACo stirs rrestoreestore jjailail water with hhealthealth ccareare testimonies ppartnershipartnership BY JULIE UFNER ASSOCIATE LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR BY PAUL V. B EDDOE ASSOCIATE LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR Within a week’s period, NACo testifi ed twice before the House and A new bill, Restoring the Partner- Senate on the Clean Water Restora- ship for County Health Care Costs tion Act (H.R. 2421/S. 1810). Act (H.R. 5698), would remove the On April 9, David Brand, an so-called “inmate exception” that elected county engineer from Madi- prevents Medicare, Medicaid, SSI son County, Ohio, testifi ed before and SCHIP benefi ts being paid for the Senate Environmental and people in jail waiting for their day Public Works Committee. On April in court. 16, Robert Cope, a Lemhi County, Introduced April 3 by Rep. Alcee Idaho commissioner, testifi ed be- fore the House Transportation and See JAIL HEALTH page 4 Infrastructure Committee. In their testimony, both stated QuickTakes that NACo strongly supports the Clean Water Act (CWA), yet the association has serious concerns Top 5 Counties that the Clean Water Restoration with Highest Median Act (CWRA) may “create sig- Household Income nifi cant bureaucratic obstacles and Photo by Sylvia Johnson lead to increased costs to counties County Median NACo held its 2008 Acts of Caring Awards ceremony on April 10. Benton County, Ore. accepts the award without enhancing environmental Fairfax County, Va. $100,318 for its Center on Fathering program. The county also received the Legacy Award for Excellence and protection of waterways and Loudoun County, Va. $99,371 Innovation. (l-r) Katie Adams, aide to Sen. Wayne Allard (R-Colo.); Sallie Clark, commissioner; Colleen wetlands.” Howard County, Md. $94,260 Landkamer, NACo past president; Ken Sanders, Center on Fathering manager, and Preston Lee, director, industry relations, Freddie Mac. The photo spread, highlighting this year’s winners, starts on page 7. See CWA page 2 Hunterdon County, N.J. $93,297 Douglas County, Colo. $92,125 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 INSIDE >> Congress greenlights housing stimulus bills

BY CASSANDRA DUHANEY oriented package — provides up to increase the Federal Housing Ad- ASSOCIATE LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR $6 billion in tax rebates to developers ministration’s (FHA) mortgage to compensate for business losses insurance program loan limits, as The Senate and House recently suffered in the current economic well as its down payment assistance President Bush signs NACo- took action designed to stimulate downturn. requirements. These provisions promoted re-entry bill the sagging housing market. The For local governments, it pro- were previously included in stalled >> Page 3 Senate passed a bill aimed at ad- vides $4 billion to the Community legislation to overhaul the FHA and Farm Bill negotiators continue to dressing issues arising out of the Development Block Grant Program represent an important legislative dismiss rural development fund- nation’s mounting mortgage crisis. to assist communities in buying step towards fi nal passage of such ing. >> Page 2 Similarly, the House Ways and foreclosed properties. It also pro- language. Means Committee passed a tax bill vides an additional $150 million The bill was amended to allow a Bill to halt Medicaid regulations with provisions affecting the hous- for housing counseling, as well as temporary tax credit to homebuyers moves through House. >> Page 2 ing industry, and hearings were held $10 billion in new authority under who purchase foreclosed properties. on a mortgage rescue proposal in the the federal Mortgage Revenue Bond It also provides an additional prop- Incoming NACo President Don Financial Services Committee. Program. erty tax deduction to homeowners Stapley seeks applicants for com- The Senate measure, S. 4387 Equally important, the package mittee appointments. >> Page 6 — a carefully negotiated, industry- includes legislation to permanently See HOUSING page 5 2 April 21, 2008 CCountyountyNNewsews • Farm Bill negotiations intensify as time runs out BY ERIK JOHNSTON for the overall framework of fund- House quickly rejected credit card program and an additional $2.5 bil- fund all of the critical pieces of ASSOCIATE LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR ing by title. compliance offsets and suggested lion in tax cuts with multiple offsets this massive bill, including rural The House conferees reached the House choose from other offset to meet paygo rules. development and nutrition. The Farm Bill conference stale- agreement on a bill that is ap- options. The House also voted 400 Both proposals provide $9.5 The Farm Bill faces many ob- mate continued last week as formal proximately $6 billion above the – 11 to instruct conferees to oppose billion in additional funding for stacles to completion and remains negotiations began without consen- $280 billion budgetary baseline higher taxes to fund new farm bill USDA nutrition programs, yet a very fluid process. At press sus on the overall spending level for spending. neither provides new mandatory deadline, it appeared that numerous the fi nal bill. House Speaker Nancy SpeedRead »»» Senate conferees expressed dis- funding for rural development. “marathon” conference sessions Pelosi (D-Calif.) named the House may at the House proposal because This is a retreat from the original would be needed up until the April Farm Bill conferees on April 9, a congressional farm leaders, Senate Senate bill which provided $400 18 expiration of current law, with a » Neither House nor Senate farm bills move that was not supposed to Majority Leader Harry Reid (D- million in new resources for sev- short extension possible if an overall include rural development funding happen until an overall framework Nev.) and Pelosi agreed in March to eral innovative rural development agreement is fi nally obtained. compromise between the Senate » House conferee leaders agree to increase spending by $10 billion. programs. NACo and its partners in The House conference leader- and House was a done deal. Senate’s higher $10 billion above The House proposal gained the Campaign for a Renewed Rural ship also agreed to go along with Members of the Blue Dog Coali- baseline framework most of its savings by leaving out Development have publicized this the Senate’s $10 billion above tion of moderate and conservative » Offsets in spending remain the weather-related farm disaster lack of attention to rural develop- baseline framework and $2.5 billion Democrats and other rural law- greatest obstacle to complet- assistance program, which is ment and pressured lawmakers to in agricultural tax provisions, if the makers exerted pressure to name ing bill championed by Senate Finance insert new funding into the fi nal House Ways and Means Committee conferees as a means to jump-start a Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) bill. and Senate Finance Committee can deal before the April 18 expiration of and Senate Budget Chairman Kent Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) is come up with $12.5 billion in offsets the 2002 Farm Bill (Late last week, and presented the new framework Conrad (D-N.D.), who have both the conference chair and has made to pay for it. lawmakers approved a one-week on April 10. made the proposed $4-billion-dollar it clear that new resources for rural Agreement on offsets is an is- extension). Multiple open meetings This additional spending is program a priority. The Senate re- development funding should be sue that has plagued negotiators of the conferees occurred last week offset by credit card compliance leased a counter-offer that provides reinstated in the fi nal bill. The Sen- all along and remains the major with the House and Senate initially measures to meet pay-as-you-go or $10 billion above baseline funding ate framework is better for county obstacle to completion of a Farm offering two competing proposals “paygo” rules. However, the White that includes the disaster assistance interests as it gives more room to Bill. Troubled ‘waters of the U.S.’ language Bill to halt new remains major sore spot for counties Medicaid regulations CWA from page 1 and roadside ditches, this poses a needs to take into account these signifi cant problem. regional differences and plan ac- According to NACo’s analysis, In his experience, the 404-per- cordingly.” faces threat of veto the CWRA would expand the reach mit approval process averages According to Brand, “CWRA Republican, as well as Demo- rehabilitation services for the of the CWA by removing the word closer to 12 months rather than is essentially a one-size-fits-all cratic leaders on the House Energy mentally ill and disabled, and also “navigable” from the defi nition of the three months the bill’s sponsors approach, sweeping all waters and Commerce Committee say reduce state Medicaid payments to waters of the United States under quote. Under the CWA, a Section and perceived waters into its they have enough votes to override a public hospitals. the law’s jurisdiction. 404 permit is required to discharge defi nition.” threatened veto of a bill to stop the Meanwhile in the Senate, Jay The bill also includes language dredged or fi ll material into the Both agreed there is a way to implementation of new Medicaid Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) has intro- stating that any “activities affect- waters of the U.S. A delay in work together as long as the focus regulations. duced a companion bill to H.R. ing” these waters be included. The permitting approval can be costly remains on the goal, rather than H.R. 5613, sponsored by Rep. 5613, the Economic Recovery in bill’s sponsors argue that these “for a rural county that does not a prescribed method of getting John Dingell (D-Mich.), chairman Health Care Act (S. 2819). The bill are simple changes that will only have the manpower, expertise or there. of the House Energy and Commerce does not entirely mirror the House reaffi rm the original purpose of resources.” At the House hearing, several Committee, includes compromise bill and includes several provisions the CWA. Both Brand and Cope acknowl- other elected county offi cials spoke, language that narrows the scope of in addition to the moratorium on Cope argued, “Any reasonable edged there is a problem with the some in favor and in opposition to the moratorium, authorizes a study the seven regulations. person would understand that, current jurisdictional system. Cope CWRA. They included: Kristin of the underlying Medicaid issues, For example, the Rockefeller from a defi nitional standpoint, said, “Our counties would like to Jacobs, commissioner, Broward provides an extra $25 million to the bill adds an eighth moratorium on there is a difference between have certainty in the jurisdictional County, Fla.; Brett Hulsey, su- Center for Medicare and Medicaid the Aug. 17, 2007 guidance letter ‘waters of the U.S.’ and ‘navigable process. However, we also recog- pervisor, Dane County, Mich. and Services (CMS) to fi ght fraud and regarding states that provide State waters of the U.S.’ Since 1972, the nize that a one-size-fi ts-all system Don Munks, commissioner, Skagit abuse, and requires funding offsets Children’s Health Insurance Pro- word navigable has had meaning — will not work. Any federal plan County, Wash. satisfactory to both sides. gram (SCHIP) assistance to families it has been fought over and clarifi ed The compromise struck be- with incomes above 250 percent through court battles.” tween Dingell and Rep. Joe Barton of poverty. Under this guidance, Cope went on to say that NNACoACo PolicyPolicy (R-Texas) and other Republicans those states would have to ensure the bill’s language “could and was reached during the bill’s that they have covered 95 percent probably will be interpreted very markup in the Subcommittee on of all eligible low-income children broadly, going far beyond where oonn CleanClean WaterWater ActsActs Health April 9. before they can cover children the current act goes. This will lead Committee staff credits the above two-and-a-half times federal to even more confusion and costly Last July, NACo membership chose to build on existing language grassroots advocacy work of NACo poverty level. lawsuits about what is and is not and passed a resolution in opposition to removing the word “navi- members and other stakeholders Additionally, the children who jurisdictional.” gable” from the CWA. This policy also opposes any expansion of with creating an environment that move from private insurance cov- In his testimony, Brand said U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ authorities. made the bipartisan breakthrough erage to SCHIP would have to be federal permit requirements could The language was approved by four NACo Steering Committees, possible. The bill continues to without insurance coverage for one be nearly limitless and apply to ac- the Board of Directors and the NACo membership. Prior to this receive bipartisan support and now year before they can be covered by tivities as common as constructing position, NACo policy opposed any efforts to classify manmade has more than 150 cosponsors, SCHIP. a new driveway or crossing a swale, ditches (such as roadside ditches), streets and gutters as “waters of including 21 Republicans. and since counties are responsible the U.S.” This policy was fi rst passed more than fi ve years ago and Among other items, the (Marilina Sanz and Paul Beddoe, as- for a number of manmade ditches, has been reaffi rmed every year since. administration’s new Medicaid sociate legislative directors, contributed such as culverts, storm channels regulations would narrow to this report). • CCountyountyNNewsews April 21, 2008 3 SSeveneven StepsSteps toto EndEnd thethe SexualSexual ExploitationExploitation ofof ChildrenChildren

In July 2002, two of Atlanta’s in conjunction with NACo, will be program design, initial operations, most notorious pimps were given producing posters that can be used staffi ng and training to serve as a 30-year sentences for the sexual ex- and adapted for your county, to life-changing experience for the ploitation of children. This was only advertise the nationwide Campaign victims. a part of the four-year process that Against the Sexual Exploitation of For examples of documents was led by Fulton County Commis- Children. referenced above, please refer to the sioner Nancy A. Boxill and a group • Solicit community support. Sourcebook to End the Sexual Exploita- of women who were determined to introduction of legislation to protect of representatives from key child- Organizations like the League tion of Children, located on the CASE help the victims and punish the pimps children and prosecute those who serving agencies, government, non- of Women Voters, Women in Web site at www.naco.org/case. in Atlanta’s quest to end the sexual exploit them. profi t organizations, advocacy and Film and countless other groups NACo President Eric Coleman exploitation of children. The accomplishments of the funding sources will ensure proper throughout the community will and members of the CASE Task In cities across the U.S., children Atlanta community towards ending avenues to initiate change. be helpful by providing manpower, Force look forward to your joining as young as 10 are being bought, the sexual exploitation of children • Establish policy and develop meeting venues, stamps and a host the fi ght to end the sexual exploi- sold and forced to perform lewd were achieved by implementing the legislation. Creating policies for of other tangible and intangible tation of children from county to sexual acts. Many of these children following seven steps: handling child prostitution cases support. county across the U.S. are victims of poverty, homeless- • Assess the problem. Perform- within the courts or crafting leg- • Raise funds. Funding goals Below is a list of one-time tasks ness, educational failure, parental ing an assessment of the problem in a islation toughening the laws for may include needs for emergency that can be done to help: neglect, physical or sexual abuse particular community; assessments perpetrators may help to leverage and long-term housing and services • pass a resolution or local and countless other adversities can be performed by local nonprofi t funding for treatment. for victims, media campaigns and legislation before becoming victims of sexual organizations, departments of a • Promote public awareness. community events. • host a town hall meeting exploitation. local college or university, or other One avenue for promoting public • Provide treatment for vic- • write a letter to state legisla- The solution for ending this community agencies. awareness is through partnering tims. Treatment in the form of a tors crime is not a simple one, nor can it • Develop a task force. Estab- with the National Center for Miss- residential “safe house” or facil- • produce a commercial, or be accomplished overnight. For the lishing a focused group consisting ing and Exploited Children who, ity may require zoning, licensure, • create a poster. coalition in Atlanta, it was a process that began in 1999 by identifying fi ve areas that needed attention: treatment for victims, prevention and intervention programs, pros- Bush signs Second Chance Act; grants ecution of pimps, johns and other supporters of the business, changes in court policy as it relates to youth will be available to local governments involved in prostitution, and the BY JIM PHILLIPS “It is not appropriate to punish MEDIA RELATIONS MANAGER people for being mentally ill,” Naito said. “The societal and dollar cost of President George W. Bush signed jailing the mentally ill is staggering President | Eric Coleman the Second Chance Act (H.R. 1593) when what is really called for are Publisher | Larry Naake during a special bill signing ceremony treatment programs. The re-entry Public Affairs Director | Tom Goodman Executive Editor | Beverly Anne Schlotterbeck April 9 at the White House. Enact- bill signed today by the president Senior Staff Writer | Charles Taylor ment of the law, referred to as “the is a great fi rst step toward helping Staff Writer | Elizabeth Perry re-entry bill,” has been a top priority counties help those in the com- Graphic Artist | Jack Hernandez for NACo for several years. munity who are in need of mental Editorial Assistant | Matthew Fellows It authorizes $165 million per year health treatment, not another night ADVERTISING STAFF in federal grants to local governments in jail.” Job Market/Classifi eds representative Matthew Fellows and states to provide ex-offenders In 2002, counties were spending National Accounts representative with education, job training, sub- $53 billion annually on criminal jus- Beverly Schlotterbeck stance abuse and aftercare treatment, tice. If counties can lower recidivism (202) 393-6226 • FAX (202) 393-2630 Published biweekly except August by: and assist ex-offenders with fi nding even modestly, counties can achieve National Association of Counties housing and employment upon signifi cant savings and redirect mon- Photo by Donald Murray Research Foundation, Inc. 25 Massachusetts Ave., N.W. release from jail and prison. The ies toward other aspects of the local Multnomah County Commissioner Lisa Naito, chair of NACo's Justice Washington, D.C. 20001 new law is designed to help reduce criminal justice system, such as law and Public Safety Steering Committee, and Rep. Danny K. Davis (D-Ill.), (202) 393-6226 | FAX (202) 393-2630 recidivism, increase public safety and enforcement, courts, corrections, former Cook County commissioner and the lead sponsor of the Second E-mail | [email protected] save local taxpayers money. prevention and treatment, Naito Chance Act in the House, pose for a photo at the White House shortly Online address | www.countynews.org Multnomah County, Ore. Com- explained. before the signing ceremony. The appearance of paid advertisements in County missioner Lisa Naito, who chairs The bipartisan bill’s leading spon- News in no way implies support or en dorse ment by the NACo’s Justice and Public Safety sor in the House was Rep. Danny Da- National As so ci a tion of Counties for any of the products, NNACoACo SeeksSeeks NationalNational CommissionCommission services or messages advertised. Peri od i cals postage Steering Committee, represented vis (D-Ill.), a former county commis- paid at Wash ing ton D.C. and other offi ces. NACo at the bill signing ceremony. sioner. Other leading congressional Mail subscriptions are $100 per year for non-members. To fully address the issue of re-entry, NACo has called for the $60 per year for non-members purchas ing multi ple cop- NACo, in partnership with the cosponsors included Rep. Howard U.S. attorney general to create a national commission to study and ies. Edu ca tion al insti tu tion rate, $50 per year. Member National Sheriffs’ Association, Coble (R-N.C.), Rep. Chris Can- county supple men tal subscrip tions are $20 each. Send make recommendations to all levels of government on the jailing of payment with order and address changes to NACo, 25 was responsible for the inclusion non (R-Utah), Rep. John Conyers nonviolent offenders with mental illness in county jails. Massachusetts Ave. N.W., Washing ton, D.C. 20001. of language in the bill to include (D-Mich.), Rep. Lamar Smith (R- NACo has recommended that the attorney general’s national POSTMASTER: send address changes to county jails. Texas), Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), Coun ty News, 25 Massachusetts Ave. N.W., commission, if appointed, carefully study the issue and make recom- Washington, D.C. 20001 Naito said that a large percentage Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Va.), Rep. mendations on how best to address the problem. (USPS 704-620) ■ (ISSN: 0744-9798) of individuals who cycle in and Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-Ohio) The call for a commission is supported by several national © National Association of Counties out of county jails are nonviolent and Rep. James Sensenbrenner organizations, including: The National Sheriffs’ Association, the Research Foundation, Inc. offenders suffering from mental ill- (R-Wis.). Champions in the Senate National District Attorneys Association, the American Psychiatric ness. This is one of the main reasons include Sen. Joseph Biden (D-Del.), Association, the National Association of County Behavioral Health many local jails are overcrowded and Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), Sen. and Developmental Disability Directors, and the American Cor- counties are struggling to keep up Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) and 30 rectional Association. with the costs. additional cosponsors. 4 April 21, 2008 CCountyountyNNewsews • Stripping pre-trial inmates’ health care benefi ts belies presumption of innocence JAIL HEALTH from page 1 federal benefi ts before they have Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth “Counties cannot continue to LUCC Vice Chair and Broward been convicted of anything is a and Somerset counties. “The fed- be on the hook for the medical County, Fla., Commissioner Ilene L. Hastings (D-Fla.), Rep. Rush direct contradiction of the basic eral government should not saddle costs of inmates on Medicaid, Lieberman, has made the case, both Holt (D-N.J.) and Rep. Michael presumption of innocence which states and counties, who are already Medicare or Social Security who in Washington and in Tallahassee, Burgess (R-Texas), the bipartisan is the foundation of the American facing diffi cult fi scal challenges, have lost coverage but have not yet that the current system disrupts measure addresses a signifi cant fl aw criminal justice system. And for the with these costs. Our bill would been convicted of a crime,” said continuity of care for her county’s in federal benefi ts rules that leaves federal government to stick local correct this historic unfairness,” Tarrant County, Texas Judge Glen most vulnerable populations. counties holding the bag for inmate governments with the tab for this he said. Whitley. “It is an unfair burden This is, she argues, not only more health care. contradictory policy is just plain to impose on counties and their expensive in the long run, but also Under current federal and state wrong,” he said. taxpayers.” fundamentally unjust. laws, local governments, usually Counties have also grown Under current federal Whitley, whose North Texas Lieberman points out that counties, are solely responsible increasingly alarmed at the sky- and state laws, local county jail has roughly 3,200 each year in Broward County there for the medical expenses of jailed rocketing costs of providing governments, usually inmates, said his concern over are about 800,000 bookings into individuals — even those who federally mandated health care to counties, are solely what amounts to “another un- and releases out of the county’s have not been convicted of any jail inmates. Restoring even partial responsible for the funded mandate” prompted him jails. Between 50 and 80 percent wrongdoing. federal funding would provide to urge Burgess to cosponsor the of these people have behavioral, “The federal and local govern- tremendous relief to cash-strapped medical expenses of jailed bipartisan bill. health or substance abuse problems ments are partners in ensuring that counties. “This bill will have a individuals ... “This is one more example of and are charged with nonviolent all of our residents have medical positive fi nancial impact for every the need to restore the partnership or minor drug-related offenses. coverage. Neither partner should be county in the U.S.” said Ron Wi- between counties and the federal “Unfortunately, they are often held bearing an unfair burden in meet- borg, a grants manager for Henne- Added Burgess, “Cost-shifting, government and in doing so, raise for long periods due to backlogs in ing this mandate,” said Hastings, pin County, Minn., upon learning whether public or private, un- the awareness of federal offi cials the court system. Then, when they who represents Florida’s Broward, of the bill’s introduction. dermines efforts to control the about the role county governments are fi nally released, it is without Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie and “This is a simple matter of growing costs of health care. perform in our communities,” the health benefi ts they had when Hendry counties. fairness,” said Holt, whose district This bill targets the cost-shifting Whitley said. they entered the jail.” “Stripping people of their includes parts of Hunterdon, between different levels of govern- While fi xing this problem has She further points out that ment to keep costs in check and been on NACo’s legislative agenda during the 90 days or so which keep people covered.” Burgess’ for some time, NACo’s Large it takes to reinstate Medicaid north Texas congressional district Urban County Caucus (LUCC), and other health benefits, people PProfirofi lleses iinn SServiceervice includes most of Denton County, which represents the collective who have just left jail are par- large portions of Tarrant and interests of the nation’s largest ticularly vulnerable to homeless- Cooke counties and a small part counties, recently made it a top ness, relapse and acute medical » Bob Suver of Dallas County. priority. emergencies. Clark County, Ohio Director, Department of Job BBrowardroward CountyCounty NudgesNudges FloridaFlorida toto Suspend,Suspend, and Family Services NACo Board of Directors NNotot Terminate,Terminate, MedicaidMedicaid forfor InmatesInmates

Number of years active in NACo: 10 BY GRETCHEN HARKINS to remove the “inmate exception” such that it Years in public service: 35 would permit states to receive federal matching Occupation: Human services/workforce development director Broward County, Fla. has worked to introduce funds for health services provided to otherwise- state legislation that would suspend, rather than eligible incarcerated persons, states and local Education: bachelor’s degree in business administration/fi nance, terminate Medicaid benefi ts for incarcerated per- governments would be relieved of the burden of Ohio University sons who have been inmates for 12 months or less. caring for an aging inmate population which has The hardest thing I’ve ever done: is keeping fi nancial records on Similar legislation was pushed through the New higher rates of virtually every chronic physical and an early Radio Shack computer. York legislature by the New York Association of mental illness than the general population. Counties and through the Minnesota Legislature When Estelle v. Gamble was decided by the Three people (living or dead) I’d invite to dinner: Moses, Leonardo by the Association of Minnesota Counties. U.S. Supreme Court in 1976, it created the only daVinci and Abe Lincoln Presently in Florida, like many other states protected class of individuals who would be recog- A dream I have is to: travel the world. that have not yet passed similar legislation, per- nized to have a Constitutional right to “adequate” sons brought into the jail system with SSI/SSDI health care — incarcerated persons. This health You’d be surprised to learn that I: farm several hundred acres of benefi ts often have those benefi ts terminated if care was a responsibility of the states (prisons) corn and soybeans. they remain in jail for 90 days or more. and local governments (jails), and the decision The most adventurous thing I’ve ever done is: hang gliding. The U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) was not immediately challenged. My favorite way to relax is: watching the History Channel in a has created a fi nancial incentive to report indi- In 1976, the national incarceration rate was recliner. viduals who are charged with crimes and remain 350,000, so the costs of providing this health care in county jails or state prisons, by offering $200 were minimal. Now, the costs associated with I’m most proud of: being a part of my county’s lowering its divorce to $400 to the facility (depending on how quickly providing health care to inmates are astronomical, rate by 22 percent in three years. the inmate is reported to the SSA). with nationwide estimates ranging in multiple Every morning I read: My Daily Bread and Ben Franklin’s Florida House Bill 525 and Senate Bill 1456 billions of dollars annually. Almanac. have been heard in committee and reported out Broward County supports state and federal favorably, unanimously. While the bills have legislation that will address the inequities and My favorite meal is: lobster. several more stops before they will move to the consequences of policies that terminate federal My pet peeve is: stereotyping people. fl oor for consideration, the state has seen no entitlement benefi ts and create a revolving door opposition to the legislation and in fact, has to our criminal justice system. The utilization of My motto is: “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” received support from the state Department of county jails as the new “asylums” as reported by The last book I read was: Devil in the White City. Corrections, Agency for Health Care Adminis- PBS and CNN, is a societal cost counties can no My favorite movie is: the Indiana Jones trilogy tration, Department of Children and Families, longer afford. and many others. My favorite music is: 1960s–80s rock. If federal legislation can be passed to repeal or (Gretchen Harkins is a lobbyist for Broward County, My favorite president is: Ronald Reagan. amend the Social Security Act (42 USC §1396d(a)) Fla.) • CCountyountyNNewsews April 21, 2008 5 Counties, state at odds over federal interoperability grant money

BY CHARLES TAYLOR million of $15.3 million awarded up — and I don’t know how that’s a lot of associations — fi re chiefs SENIOR STAFF WRITER to the state — for a statewide going to work. associations, police chief and interoperability project. “We know what’s best for our sheriffs associations — to really get Nearly $1 billion recently The U.S. Department of Home- area. How is Madison going to the message out about the benefi t began fl owing through states to land Security, in late March, be able to set up a decent state of this plan.” counties and cities to help bolster system?” he said, referring to the Not all Wisconsin counties interoperable emergency radio and SpeedRead »»» state’s capital city. oppose the state’s plan. Two data communications. Across the For its part, OJA says its planned multi-county communications country, a number of counties are statewide radio trunking backbone consortiums, representing more » Nearly $1 billion going to states’ receiving millions of dollars in will benefi t all localities. It would than two dozen counties, favor the interoperable communications federal Public Safety Interoperable allow multiple communications statewide approach, according to projects Communication (PSIC) grants. networks to be used in parallel, OJA offi cials. But in Wisconsin, several coun- » Wisconsin to retain its $15 million speeding data-sharing and in- However, several counties dis- ties are crying foul, saying the state share for statewide rather than creasing radio call capacity. Greg agree. Outagamie, Calumet, Rock, is holding on to money that should local, regional projects Engle, OJA’s homeland security Langlade, Winnebago, Marathon, come their way. Under the PSIC » Several counties oppose state’s program director, said, “We’ve Brown, Florence and Fond du Lac program, states are supposed to approach been reaching out over the last pass-through at least 80 percent several months to a lot of counties, See INTEROPS page 6 of the funds to counties, cities, special districts and other entities, approved most states’ Statewide according to Calumet County, Communication Interoperabil- Wis. offi cials. ity Plans, outlining how they will The county’s Board of Super- spend the money. That cleared the passed-through to the county so Free Events visors passed a resolution unani- way for the release more than $968 that we could set our own system mously last month opposing the million in PSIC funds between now up,” said Donald Sommers, a Offered at 2008 state Offi ce of Justice Assistance’s and 2011. Calumet County supervisor. “Now plan “to retain monies” from the “The way we understood it the state wants to horn in there, PSIC grant program — $14.7 is that this was supposed to be and they want to set a state system Annual Conference

At the NACo 2008 Annual Conference, you can add some “free” to your fun when you attend the Conference-Wide Event Broader federal legislation expected July 14. Kansas City’s Union Station is the location and your hosts have reserved virtually every bit of it for your entertainment. to address mortgage foreclosure crisis Science City, K.C. Rail Experience and the Planetarium usually carry an $8.95 package price, but they are open and free on July HOUSING from page 1 The Ways and Means Commit- his intention to push for broader 14. Additionally, the nationally acclaimed “Bodies Revealed” tee also approved a homeowner legislation that further addresses traveling exhibit carries a ticket price of $24 for adults, but it will who do not itemize but who pay state and local real property tax issues affecting the nation’s troubled also be open for you the night of the property taxes, provided their deduction, without the language mortgage fi nance system. event. county does not raise property taxes restricting this deduction to hom- He and Rep. Barney Frank Add to this the for the period between April 2, 2008 eowners who live in counties that (D-Mass.), chairman of the House entertainment value and Jan. 1, 2009. This provision do not raise property taxes. Financial Services Committee, plan of an 18-piece orches- is particularly troubling for local to work together to introduce legisla- tra, a jazz combo, the governments and may generate SpeedRead »»» tion that will more broadly expand fabulous McFadden discussion as the bill moves to the the FHA’s capacity to refi nance Brothers, Jack Stack House for consideration. subprime mortgages. Frank held a Barbecue and a few » Senate housing bill contains $4 series of hearings in mid-April on other secret surprises billion in CDBG funds to buy a discussion draft of a mortgage and you have a full House action foreclosed properties The House Ways and Means rescue plan that may serve as a basis night of fun that you’d Committee passed a bipartisan » Conditional property tax credit for for such legislation. have to travel all over tax package (H.R. 5720) that also non-itemizing homeowners Under Frank’s plan, the FHA the city to enjoy, if you contemplates the housing market » Administration opposes programs would be allowed to insure and could see them all on crisis. Unlike the Senate package, to help refinance subprime loans guarantee refi nanced, restructured one night … which the House bill attempts to assist mortgages. The bill would create a you will! homebuyers. new program that would allow FHA Please make sure The House bill does not provide to provide up to $300 million to to leave plenty of for the tax treatment for business Local government insure the restructured agreements room on your calen- losses present in the Senate bill, features and could, ultimately, refi nance dar for the night of but rather establishes a fi rst-time Additional tools for local govern- between 1 million and 2 million July 14 — you homebuyer tax credit. The “credit” ments are included in the Ways and loans. will not want amounts to an interest-free loan Means Committee package. The bill The Bush administration op- to miss any- equal to 10 percent of the purchase includes language for a $10-billion poses such a program, maintaining thing. From price of a home, up to $7,500. increase in housing bond authority that bailing out lenders will lead to the time According to committee docu- to provide loans for fi rst-time home- passing on costs to taxpayers. Mean- you arrive ments, homebuyers receiving this buyers and to fi nance the construc- while, it has moved to expand its until the last credit would be required to repay tion of low-income housing. own mortgage assistance program, firework fades any amount received under this FHASecure. into the night, this provision back to the government Broader legislation on The policy change, announced is an event where over 15 years in equal installments. horizon by FHA Commissioner Brian you won’t want to The maximum amount that a home- Sen. Christopher Dodd (D- Montgomery, adds fl exibility for miss one minute. Our buyer may receive will phase out for Conn.), chairman of the Senate FHA to assist struggling homeown- motto for the entire conference has been “Come early, stay late.” those individuals with annual gross Banking, Housing and Urban ers by expanding the eligibility That goes for the conference-wide event, too. See you in July! incomes over $70,000. Affairs Committee, has signaled criteria. 6 April 21, 2008 CCountyountyNNewsews • Applications now open for NACo leadership appointments At-Large Appointments Incoming NACo President SpeedRead »»» technology projects. provides the board with new pro- Don Stapley is seeking applicants to the NACo Board of • Member Programs and Ser- gram ideas and reports on program for a number of appointments to Directors vices Committee. Advises the successes and challenges. » No appointments without NACo’s leadership team. These Each president appoints 10 at- Executive Committee regarding • Arts and Culture Commis- Application Form appointments are for one- to large directors to the NACo Board the development and evaluation of sion. Helps county offi cials learn three-year terms and membership » Deadline to submit application is of Directors for a one-year term. programs and services for NACo how the arts can benefi t counties. on some of these committees has May 11 These appointments are to add members. The commission works to encour- specifi c requirements. Following » Form is available on NACo’s Web balance to the board with respect • Membership Committee. age offi cials to view the arts as a are the appointments along with the site under “About NACo” X to any inequities between urban Actively recruits and retains tool that can help them provide qualifi cations required for each. “Committees and Caucuses” X and rural, gender, geography and member counties, parishes and solutions to problems in their ”Presidential Appointment” minority representation. As with boroughs in order to increase communities. Steering Committee our communities, our strength is in NACo’s total membership • Sustainability Leadership Leadership our diversity. These appointments Team. N/A The 11 steering committees are responsible for nominating are for one year. Ad Hoc Committees • Geospatial Information will each have a leadership team the general steering committee The Ad Hoc committees are Systems Committee. N/A consisting of a chair, an appropriate members. If you are interested in Standing Committees as follows: The Presidential Appointments number of vice chairs, and subcom- becoming a member of a steering The standing committees of • Deferred Compensation Application Form must be com- mittee chairs and vice chairs. Those committee you must contact your the Board of Directors are as Advisory Committee. Advocates pleted by everyone who wants to applicants who have been active state association directly. follows: for and insures that counties have be considered for a leadership or members of the steering committee • Finance Committee. Advises access to a deferred compensation committee appointment for the will be given preference in consider- Caucus Leadership the Executive Committee on the program that remains competitive, 2008-2009 presidential year. The ation for these appointments. The Rural Action Caucus annual budget of the associa- is of the highest quality, and meets application form is available online The applicant should be willing Steering Committee and the Large tion before it is presented to the the individual fi nancial and retire- at NACo’s Web site, www.naco.org. to help coordinate leadership con- Urban County Caucus Steering Board of Directors and provides ment goals of county employees. You will fi nd it under “About ference calls, develop the meeting Committee will each have a chair oversight on other fi nancial is- • NACo/Financial Services NACo” X “Committees and agendas and testify before Congress and an appropriate number of sues as directed by the Executive Corporation Board of Directors. Caucuses” X “Presidential Ap- if necessary. These appointments vice chairs. Applicants who have Committee. N/A pointments.” are for one year. been active members of these • Information Technology • NACo/Financial Services The deadline for submitting Please note the NACo presi- caucuses will be given preference Committee. Advises the Execu- Center Advisory Committee. your application is May 11. dent appoints only the steering in consideration for these appoint- tive Committee on information Reports to the NACo Financial For more information, contact committee chairs and vice chairs. ments. These appointments are technology issues and provides Services Corporation (NACo FS Karen McRunnel at 202/942-4238 The state associations of counties for one year. oversight on NACo information Corp). The Advisory Committee or [email protected]. Several counties oppose Wisconsin’s interoperble communication plan

INTEROPS from page 5 Statewide System Management “We listened to them and we he said, referring to the SSMG. While the PSIC money appar- Group (SSMG), an entity created heard, and we hope that by com- That doesn’t ease all of Carlson’s ently won’t be passed through to counties are among those that by OJA to provide interim gover- pleting … [an] engineering study, concerns, because she said the counties, Engle said “there will have passed resolutions opposing nance over the system funded by we’ll be able to answer them,” said SSMG doesn’t have to follow its be local grants that will be for state’s plan. the PSIC grant. Ryan Sugden, an OJA spokesman. members’ recommendations. counties, regional systems, local In their resolution, Langlade “Participating in this group is “And that is why, not a dollar of the OJA’s Engle added that the communities to build out capacity County offi cials said a statewide not a matter of saying, ‘We don’t PSIC money will be spent until that study will look at the system’s ben- — upgrade their infrastructure to trunking backbone system will want to see any project happen,’” study is conducted, after which efi ts to counties, and if it doesn’t be able to link into the statewide “provide radio coverage only to she explained. “We just want to point the locally controlled group appear to be technically feasible, trunking system.” mobile units, have limited chan- assure that it happens the right will be making the decisions,” they’ll look at other alternatives. Carlson’s not sure where that nel capacity and will primarily way and in the best interests of money will come from, since no serve state agency users...” Sherri the operational needs of all of further federal assistance is as- McNamara, deputy executive ad- our public safety agencies in the RRegionalegional CollaborationCollaboration sured. And she’s concerned about ministrator for Outagamie County, state.” whether the system, as currently agrees. She said no one objects to the EEncouragedncouraged conceived, can meet emergency “The state plan is geared to concepts in the state plan, but communicators’ “daily opera- expanding the State Patrol system, she’s concerned about its technical Wisconsin is using its federal grant money for interoperable tional needs.” which is a voice system only, and feasibility, in the absence of an communications on one big statewide project. But in many other She said a sense of urgency is has never really interfaced with our engineering study that has yet to being driven by federal funding states, counties and regions are benefi ting directly. system at all,” she said. “So expand- be done. “It may be able to provide timetables and guidelines about “All of the directives from the federal government are to ing that and making it stronger is a level of interoperability, but until when monies must be disbursed develop regional systems for interoperability,” said Bill McCam- good for the State Patrol but doesn’t a complete operational assessment and spent. “No one is objecting affect us.” McNamara is also vice has been done for all levels of an mon, executive director of the East Bay Regional Communication to the concepts in the state plan, chair of NACo’s Telecommunica- agency’s interoperability needs, System Authority (EBRCSA) in the San Francisco Bay area. “To because the concepts are good,” tions and Technology Steering there’s no way to assure that the date, we’ve identifi ed close to $34 million in grants to build out she said. “We want to just slow it Committee. level of interoperability this system our infrastructure.” down, so that we can assure they Outagamie, Brown, Winnebago provides is enough of a benefi t for Formed last fall, EBRCSA includes two counties — Alameda make the system that will provide and Calumet counties comprise the dollars that are being spent,” and Contra Costa — and 29 incorporated cities and four special for users’ operational needs on a four-county communications she said. In a letter to the governor’s districts, with more expected to sign on. a daily basis, as well as a major consortium known as FoxComm, homeland security counsel last “The challenge in dealing with interoperability is not technol- disaster. after the Fox River that runs fall, FoxComm called the system ogy. The challenge is governance,” McCammon said. “And the “There are a few members on through them. Karen Carlson is an “unproven science project.” challenge is getting different levels of governments to be able to the SSMG that are saying we owe its management information coor- OJA offi cials say they are ad- come together and plan together, be able to cooperate and be able it to our agencies, we owe it to the dinator; she said at least a dozen dressing the concerns raised by to have a collaborative relationship to see that these systems are taxpayers and our constituents to counties oppose the state’s plan. counties and public safety com- built to serve all levels of government.” slow this thing down and make Carlson also sits on Wisconsin’s munications offi cials. sure that it’s done right.” • CCountyountyNNewsews April 21, 2008 7 Acts of Caring

Outstanding Programs ... Photos by Sylvia Johnson

Accepting the Youth Service Award is San Mateo County’s Youth Commission. (l – r) Adrienne Tissier, supervisor; John Yap, Youth Commission staff; Giselle Williams, Youth Commission staff; Wilson Chan, youth com- missioner; Eddie Hu, youth commissioner. In the background are Colleen Landkamer, NACo past president and commissioner, Blue Earth County, Minn.; Preston Lee, vice president of industry relations, Freddie Mac, and Richard Wells, vice president, America’s Promise Alliance.

Pinellas County, Fla. accepts the award for its Environmental Lands Division Volunteer Georgetown County, S.C. accepts the award for its Visions for the Future program. (l – r) Program. (l – r) H. Bruce Rinker, Ph.D., ELD division director; Joseph LeGath, MLA, volunteer Thomas W. Edwards, county administrator; Jeff Kinard, program volunteer; Rep. Henry program manager; Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.) and Colleen Landkamer. Brown (R-S.C.) and Colleen Landkamer. 8 April 21, 2008 CCountyountyNNewsews •

Arlington County, Va. accepts the award for its Community Role Models program. (l – r) Colleen Landkamer, Anita Friedman, Human Services Division chief; Greg Castano, Volunteer Offi ce coordinator; Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.), Miles Grant, CRM chair; Casey Robin- son, CRM program chair; Andrea Zizack, CRM membership chair, and Preston Lee.

Pierce County, Wash. accepts the award for its Citizens Corps Care Team program. (l – r) Steve Gila County, Ariz. accepts the award for its Collaborative Community Fire Program. (l – r) Bailey, Emergency Management director; Colleen Landkamer; Jody Woodcock, Emergency Colleen Landkamer; Tommie Martin, supervisor; Jo Johnston, District Services supervisor; Management program manager, and Preston Lee. Patty Power, program liaison, and Preston Lee.

Acts of Caring • CCountyountyNNewsews April 21, 2008 9

New Hanover County, N.C. accepts the award for its RSVP Special Needs Registry program. Union County, N.J. accepts the award for its Westlake Junior Runnells Volunteer Program. (l – r) Brenda Brow, program coordinator; Colleen Landkamer, Marjorie Brush, program (l – r) Rep. Donald Payne (D-N.J.); Angel G. Estrada, freeholder chairman; Colleen Landkamer, director, and Preston Lee. and Preston Lee.

Coconino County, Ariz. accepts the award for its Community Services Haywood County, N.C. accepts the award for its Community Connections program. (l – r) Victoria Young, Volunteer Program. (l – r) Colleen Landkamer; Sharon Tewksbury-Bloom, program director; Colleen Landkamer; Yvonne Gold, project coordinator; Shirley Topper, information central volunteer resource manager, and Preston Lee. coordinator, and Preston Lee.

Acts of Caring 10 April 21, 2008 CCountyountyNNewsews •

Linn County, Iowa accepts the award for its Sleep Out for Homelessness Awareness program. San Diego County, Calif. accepts the award for its L.E.A.R.N./Laubach ESL program. (l – r) (l – r) Linda Langston, Board of Supervisors chair; Don Tyne, Veterans Affairs director; Rep. José Aponte, library system executive director; Colleen Landkamer; Nancy Saint John, public Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa) and Dave Langston, Circle of Care chair. information offi cer, and Preston Lee.

Caldwell County, N.C. accepts the award for its Wig Bank program. (l – r) are David Icard, co- founder, board member; Colleen Landkamer; Alicia Stanislaw, cofounder, RN MSN, board member; Patty Hayes, board member; Crystal Dula, RN, volunteer coordinator, cancer sup- port services coordinator and board member, and Preston Lee.

Acts of Caring • CCountyountyNNewsews April 21, 2008 11

Benton County, Ore. accepts the award for its Benton-Linn Teen Idol program. (l – r) Colleen Landkamer; Travis Joseph, legislative aide to Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), and Preston Lee. Cumberland County, Pa. accepts the award for its Service to Adult Readers (STAR) program. (l – r) Scott Miller, chief of staff for Rep. Todd Platts (R-Pa.); Nan Cavenaugh, Adult Outreach Services coordinator; Colleen Landkamer; Jonelle Darr, Library System executive director, and Preston Lee.

Lycoming County, Pa. accepts the award for its CAPPA Youth & Development Project. (l – r) Loni Gamble, founder/executive; Colleen Landkamer; Chris Gamble, volunteer coordinator, and Preston Lee.

Acts of Caring 12 April 21, 2008 CCountyountyNNewsews •

Model Programs FROM THE NATION'S COUNTIES Program Protects Intellectual Property Rights

BY ELIZABETH PERRY business because it looked exactly infringement. She was involved in the way your mark is used,” she says. These include: STAFF WRITER like our mark.” creation of the county’s Intellectual “You can’t just give it away because • Access Oakland, which pro- In another case, former county Property Program, which began by then you don’t own it anymore. You vides online fee payment, tax Most people would not confuse executive L. Brooks Patterson came registering the fi rst service marks have to supervise the quality of how and vital records information to the words “Lawn Man” and “Oak- up with the idea for a countywide six years ago. it’s being used and make sure it’s residents land,” but put them in a logo between festival several years ago. An “It did take a while to get it only being used by people you have • OakVideo, courtroom arraign- a pair of trees and things can get individual co-opted the name and going,” she says. “To get the depart- permitted to use it.” ment software complicated. decided to market the event as his ments to buy in and tell us all of the Over the course of three years, • CLEMIS (Courts and Law That’s what offi cials in Oakland own. The case was settled out of different marks they were using. We the county spent $214,000 in staff Enforcement Management In- County, Mich. found out fi ve years court and the festival is still spon- formation System), used by law ago, after the owner of a real estate sored by the county. enforcement agencies to exchange company altered the county’s logo Blaszczak says protected images mug shots, arrest and fi ngerprint and began using it on all of his and words used by counties are information, and business materials. The case went called “service marks,” because • Health Department software to federal court, where the county they provide services to the public, used for restaurant and well inspec- won. whereas “trademarks” are pro- tions. “There were signs up on different tected images and words used by “For most places, it’s going to properties he was trying to sell,” companies providing goods. She had one problem with some depart- time and consultants on the pro- be less expensive for them to do the says Joellen Shortley Blaszczak, says the copyright infringement ments using 20 different marks.” gram. The Information Technology licensing agreement,” says Hunter. county fi nancial attorney. “We got cases were a wake-up call to the A formal written policy fol- Department intranet site cost ap- “Government is fairly generic in him to cease and desist using the county to take action to protect its lowed in 2003, and the program proximately $1,800. Copyright fi l- terms of a lot of its services. If there mark because people might have service marks, software programs has evolved to include an intranet ing fees for the county’s 43 software is an IT application or software that thought [Lawn Man] was a county and publications from copyright training site and service mark programs, publications and service has been developed, why spend database for employees. Today the marks cost $6,801. the time and money to develop main purpose of the program is to Daniel Hunter, manager, Oak- something internal when you can NACo on the Move foster the development, protection land County Planning and Eco- license it?” and management of intellectual nomic Development Services, says Hunter says most of the words property owned by the county. many of the software programs and images that are copyrighted by »In the News “One of the hallmarks of trade- produced by the county’s IT depart- the county are used with permission • Jacqueline Byers, director of research, was quoted in the April mark law is that you have to supervise ment are useful to other counties. most often in connection with local 7 Washington Post in a front page article describing how the downturn financial conferences. The aim in the economy has slowed housing development growth in even is to give the county a consistent fast-growing areas and also has hurt county revenues across the image that is recognizable with the country. Word Search public. “We’re a business and we want »NACo Officers and Elected Officials clarity of our image,” he says. • Eric Coleman, president, spoke at the opening general session Indiana Counties “When you see the IBM logo it’s of the Utah Association of Counties Management Conference April O M H K B Q A T M N F I C K R L A Y J U consistent. In the past, the county 16 in Salt Lake County about what NACo has to offer counties and E V S B V A A P X W O L X O P L H D H N logo has been three or four different how they can participate. O J P R C Z H G R U S T V S R A M M Z V types [of images], so we’re striving • At its spring meeting in Pima County (Tuscon), Ariz., the Z T M T O O R T X Q M T L C L H D O I E to clarify and simplify that.” NACo Financial Services Board, chaired by Immediate Past Presi- H W V A N D E R B U R G H I N S V G V A Blaszczak advised counties dent Colleen Landkamer, authorized a $2 million dividend and H J A C K S O N Y A L E J U M R O Y U M interested in starting their own established a working capital reserve of $500,000 to NACo. E E Y H N W V Q H J A L H S O A X Z A I intellectual property programs »NACo Staff P O N J A E A K N G P A P K G M H D Y I to make sure their service marks • Bert Jarreau, chief information offi cer, present- G S R D G M L Y A H O N P O H D I B N D are registered through the U.S. ed a paper entitled “Linking Foreign Investments N H X N R E T E N L R L O A H S L V E A Patent and Trademark Offi ce. with Regional Economic Development and Public D X Q A O I B L C E T L M C O E P A S R She says the process is not very Policy Decisions” at the International Academy A N E O M M C R F O E P M N H E R Q L Q complicated and can be done of Business Disciplines 20th Annual Meeting in T D N C T E S K B N F T K S E B M O O E online at www.uspto.gov. Houston April 3. The paper was selected to be E R A W A L E D S D T R B J O F R T L K “They might have to initially published in the 2008 Business Research Yearbook: M L G J N T J D Z D L G W R O V T B R X consult with a trademark attorney, Global Business Perspectives, the publication of the F V A H N O I R A M A I N B Y H Z C L Z but the fi ling fee is not very high,” Bert Jarreau International Academy of Business Disciplines. It U F V Z M K Q I C O K H M T N W N O I P she says. “The most important thing discusses the role counties play I I U C P M L B H A E P N D X Q R S L E is educating employees as to what in foreign investment decisions and economic V N Y Y A R O G R A N T A C M C P Z O I is county property.” development. H B S E A I U L V H Z B T L Z U H X V N For more information about • Erik Johnston, associate legislative director, the Intellectual Property program, discussed NACo’s priorities for the 2008 Farm Bill contact Blaszczak at 248/858-2155 and the Campaign for a Renewed Rural Develop- DEARBORN JOHNSON MONROE or e-mail [email protected]. ment at a Capitol Hill briefi ng entitled “The Rural DELAWARE KOSCIUSKO MORGAN Development Title of the Farm Bill: Why it is ELKHART LAKE SHELBY (Model Programs from the Nation’s GRANT LA PORTE VANDERBURGH Vital to Rural America.” The event took place at Erik Johnston Counties highlights Achievement the U.S. Capitol Building April 7. HAMILTON MADISON VIGO Award-winning programs. For more HENDRICKS MARION WAYNE information on this and other NACo (On the Move is compiled by Matthew Fellows, editorial assistant.) JACKSON MARSHALL Created By Matthew Fellows Achievement Award winners, visit NACo’s Web site, www.naco.org.) • CCountyountyNNewsews April 21, 2008 13 News From the Nation’s Counties

XCALIFORNIA the railroad lines in outlying areas, county via car, boat, bike and foot. to become a major metropolitan The inmate is awaiting trial on a LAKE COUNTY officials including DuPage County. They protect the natural resources, rapid transportation system within second-degree murder charge; most passed an ordinance specifying Pam Rion, chair of the county park facilities, and 2 million park the next 10 years. of his suits have sought protective no more free rides for zebra and transportation committee, said the visitors while enforcing the county Proposed light rail lines include orders against jail personnel. quagga mussels. The tiny aquatic merger could have a profoundly ordinances and park regulations. a central corridor line to link Min- interlopers have been hitching their adverse impact on the quality of neapolis and St. Paul, as well as rail XNEW YORK way for nearly 20 years aboard wa- life for residents, who could fi nd XKENTUCKY and bus lines between other counties Several counties are joining tercraft heading west from Eurasia themselves with longer traffi c de- Kentucky Association of in the state. forces to keep state payments in to California, where they could lays, poor air quality and possible Counties broke ground on its The Star Tribune reported that lieu of taxes fl owing their way. clog water supply systems and alter exposure to hazardous materials. new headquarters in FRANKLIN HENNEPIN, DAKOTA and Nine counties have banded together ecosystems. “Reassigning railroad freight COUNTY March 26. The new WASHINGTON counties joined to appear before a state appeals The Press Democrat reported the traffi c at 22 crossings in DuPage wing-shaped building will be a two- RAMSEY and ANOKA counties court. They hope to testify to the county has budgeted $300,000 to County, which is presently used level, 48,000-square-foot “green” in approving a quarter-cent transit potentially negative effects of a state fi ght the problem, which could by only four to 15 trains per day, structure that the organization sales tax to help fund the project, Supreme Court ruling last year that negatively affect the local economy will increase up to 42 trains per hopes will be eligible for Leader- which will take effect July 1. The effectively outlawed all state tax pay- if Clear Lake gets contaminated. day,” she said. ship in Energy and Environmental Tribune said the tax could raise some ments to local governments. Boat inspections are currently Design (LEED) certifi cation. $100 million in 2009. New York state pays $80 million taking place at fi rehouses near four XKANSAS KACo Executive Director and a year to localities, the Watertown waterways. Contaminated boats Criminals might want to think CEO Bob Arnold said it is time to XMISSOURI Daily Times reported. Most of must be cleaned and reinspected or twice before breaking the law in move from its current 24,000-square- CALLAWAY COUNTY busi- the money goes to parks in the face fi nes of up to $1,000 or jail time. JACKSON COUNTY, because foot offi ce because of overcrowded ness leaders have joined forces with Adirondack and Catskill mountain VENTURA and SANTA BAR- now county park rangers are offi ces, lack of storage space and 11 other counties in the mid-section areas. BARA counties adopted similar armed. Other counties where park parking. of the state to entice companies to “It’s important to see this ordinances after the mussels were rangers carry weapons include “Coupled with that is the reality relocate to the region. through,” Mark LaVigne, commu- found in the San Justo Reservoir JOHNSON, WYANDOTTE and that the current KACo buildings do The organization is called nications director for the New York earlier this year. CLAY counties. not meet the requirements of the Missouri CORE (Connecting our State Association of Counties, told The Kansas City Star reported Americans with Disabilities Act Regional Economy) Partnership, the paper. “For counties that have a XILLINOIS that the idea of letting rangers by new construction standards,” and includes the counties of AUD- lot of state-owned property, they rely The DUPAGE COUNTY Board carry guns met with resistance for he said. RAIN, BOONE, CALLAWAY, on these payments to keep property passed a resolution opposing Cana- years until County Executive Mike The new building will serve as a CAMDEN, COLE, COOPER, taxes down for the businesses that dian National’s acquisition of EJ&E Sanders took offi ce in January 2007. training facility, operations center HOWARD, MILLER, MONI- operate and families that live in the railroad. Offi cials are against the deal The measure was approved by the and service provider for county TEAU, MORGAN, OSAGE and counties.” because it would transfer freight legislature last summer. offi cials from around the state. RANDOLPH. traffi c from Chicago to segments of Rangers patrol 41 parks in the Bruce Hackmann, president XNORTH CAROLINA XMARYLAND of the Fulton Area Development Not a born leader? CABARRUS PRINCE GEORGE’S COUN- Corp., told the Fulton Sun that COUNTY wants to change that for TY and Washington, D.C. offi cials promoting an individual county residents interested in taking a more announced the start of a new outside of the state is diffi cult active role in their community. What’s cross-border survivor’s network without big numbers. The county is encouraging to connect crime victims with the “When companies are looking residents to take part in a Leader- resources they need to recover. to relocate it is easier to attract their ship Initiative beginning April 22. in a A survivor’s network has been in attention when you market a region The six-week course will provide place in Prince George’s County for that has over 200,000 people, as op- participants the opportunity to build three years, but its residents can fall posed to just a town like Fulton that on and develop leadership skills. It’s Seal? through the cracks if they are victims has 13,000 people,” he said. designed for residents interested in of a crime perpetrated across the The partnership includes fi ve learning how to better bring together border in Washington. businesses, each contributing neighbors to discuss issues, plan, Charles County, Md. Russell Butler, executive director $25,000 annually for the next fi ve solve problems and assess resources »www.charlescounty.org of the Maryland Crime Victims’ years to help the organization start for neighborhood improvement. Resource Center, Inc., told The up and fl ourish. The course helps participants The Charles County seal incorporates a part of the Maryland Examiner his group is starting to increase their knowledge and skills state seal, which is designed from the First Lord Baltimore’s shield. take on national cases as crimes X to lead neighborhood organiza- Charles County was established on May 10, 1658 and named for NEBRASKA defy borders. He said Internet fraud No more lawsuits this year for tions and increase the effectiveness Charles Calvert, England’s Third Lord Baltimore. and identity theft crimes make it a LANCASTER COUNTY jail of those organizations. George Calvert, fi rst Lord Baltimore, adopted a coat of arms that necessary for his organization to inmate who’s had a quota imposed included a shield with alternating quadrants featuring the yellow and work with police and prosecutors on him. Six county district judges X black colors of his paternal family and the red and white colors of OREGON to fi ght “borderless” crime and help recently signed an order limiting Come November, CURRY his maternal family, the Crosslands. its victims. the inmate, Eric Lewis, to six fi l- COUNTY voters may get a chance The current seal was designed by Frederick T. Tilp. “In a metro area the geographic ings a year. take party politics out of county The coronet is a silver gilted band, covered with yellow lacquer. lines don’t stop crime from happen- Lewis recently fi led 60 lawsuits commission elections. The fi ve spheres on top of the crown are plain silver balls. The brim ing,” he said. in a day and has fi led 149 cases County commissioners are is white with small strawberry leaves. since January 2007, according to considering letting voters decide The cross of red and white on the shield symbolizes the arms of X the Lincoln Journal Star. In their whether to make elections nonpar- the Crossland family. MINNESOTA With fi ve out of seven counties in order, the judges said Lewis had tisan beginning in 2010, the Curry The black and gold design on the shield is that of the Calvert agreement, the Hiawatha light rail “fl agrantly and repeatedly abused Coastal Pilot reported. family. It was given to Calvert as a result of storming a fortifi cation line will undergo a major upgrade the judicial process.” “It’s something I feel is a good in battle. idea,” said Commission Chair The date of 1658, which is on the bottom of the seal, is the date Georgia Nowlin. “It allows people when the order of erection was approved by the colonial governor. Keep up with NACo online ... who are nonaffi liated voters to vote (If you would like your county’s seal featured, please contact Matthew Fellows for commissioners in primaries,” at 202/942-4256 or e-mail [email protected].) www.naco.org See NEWS FROM page 15 14 April 21, 2008 CCountyountyNNewsews • Research News Do We Really Need Another Drug? If you or a member of your fam- high, increasing it up to 90 minutes. for the state to act, passing its own A recent study by San Diego released a study that reports that ily is an avid viewer of YouTube, Several researchers have linked the law prohibiting the sale and posses- State University showed that 4.4 slightly less than 2 percent of young you may have already been exposed drug, the effects of which can often sion of salvia March 18. Before the percent of the 1,500 undergraduate people ages 18 to 25 years report to the latest drug craze. Smoking be unpleasant, to the suicide of a bill can go into effect, the county students at an unnamed university using salvia during 2006. Cur- salvia, known as salvia divinorum, teenager in Delaware. executive must conduct a public in Southern California used salvia rently, the U.S. Drug Enforcement more commonly known as a fairly As a result of rapid growth in hearing, planned for early April. between 2006 and 2007. Scientists Administration has put salvia on its attractive plant used as groundcover the use of this drug, almost solely After observing the increasing at California Pacifi c Medical Center watch list and is monitoring its use. by landscapers and found in many through Internet communication, use of the drug, the San Bernardino Research Institute in San Francisco It will use the information it gathers gardens, is the newest way to get states and local governments have County, Calif. Sheriff’s Department have studied the plant for several to help make the decision whether high. started to take action. Long banned urged its state legislator to introduce years and believe that it has promise to regulate it, as it does many other A strong hallucinogenic drug, in Australia, Belgium and Italy, this legislation to make it a crime to sell for treatment for various mental drugs, or to ban it outright. this member of the sage family harmless-looking plant has been salvia to minors. That bill is cur- disorders. is being touted as the latest, legal banned in several states. rently pending in the Senate after The U.S. Department of Health (Research News was written by Jacque- way for teens and young adults passing the State Assembly. and Human Services recently line Byers, director of research.) to “get their groove on.” Known underground for years, it is just getting wide recognition because of numerous videos on YouTube Financial Services News of people demonstrating how the drug makes them feel. Although some of these videos Cradle-to-Cradle Purchasing show young people who report hav- ing out-of-body experiences and feel that they are in a different place and Makes Counties Greener time, others show users “freaking out” and becoming confused. No matter how well built some- not attainable for counties on their think vendors are keenly aware of the Long used in religious rituals thing is, there comes a point when own because of sheer volume. green movement across the nation. by shamans in Mexico, salvia has its usefulness has run its course. Dis- One of the contracts via U.S. We are talking to manufacturers to historically grown wild primarily in Starting in 2005, Missouri, Dela- posing of items used to be as simple Communities that Hennepin Coun- have Styrofoam be replaced with Oaxaca, Mexico. It fi rst began to ware, North Dakota and Illinois as putting them in the garbage. ty, Minn. uses for all of its depart- something that can be recycled.” be available online and in various banned the use of the plant and clas- For many entities, including ments is purchasing offi ce supply For a company like Virco, it shops that cater to the drug culture sifi ed it as a Schedule I substance, counties, that is no longer an option. products from Offi ce Depot. Printer takes laminate and binding from in the mid-to-late 1990s. the same classifi cation assigned to For some, it’s because of policy, and copier cartridges are items most expendable furniture and puts them The drug is frequently compared heroin, LSD, marijuana and ecstasy. for others it has to do with social departments use and are something through a pulverizing machine to the potency of marijuana, and Last month, Gov. Tim Kaine of responsibility and the environment, the supplier will recycle. to turn the material into hard there are underground blogs (www. Virginia signed a law, effective July and for others it’s about money. “Every time you use a remanu- plastic that is then used in a new erowid.org) all over the Internet 1, banning the drug. Recycling is no longer just about factured toner cartridge you keep product. where people exchange information Maine has passed a law making placing bins in the employee break that material out of a landfi ll. We use “I think everyone wants to about how to obtain this drug. it illegal for a person under age 18 to room to separate cans and bottles. the shell of old ones,” said Yalmaz recycle. They are becoming more According to a self-proclaimed possess or use the drug. Oklahoma (Cans are still important to recycle Siddiqui, director of environmental educated,” Virco’s True said. herbalist who runs the Web site has a law which makes it illegal to — it takes 20 times the energy to strategy for Offi ce Depot. “It uses He added that some customers sagewisdom.org, “Salvia has much have salvia that has been “enhanced, create a new one as it does to recycle up to a half-gallon of oil to make are surprised by the relatively low to offer: fascinating psychoactive ef- concentrated or chemically or physi- a used one.) a cartridge and 2.5 pounds of cost to have furniture shipped to fects, sensual enhancement, magical cally altered.” Some counties are trying to metal and plastic are going into a them for recycling. “One customer journeys, enhancement, apparent Louisiana and Tennessee allow recycle everything they purchase. landfi ll.” said they couldn’t afford it and then time-travel, philosophical insights, salvia to be grown for landscaping It’s called paying attention to the Offi ce Depot has been recycling called landfi lls. They called us again. spiritual experiences and perhaps purposes but it is illegal to grow it full lifecycle of products, or cradle- cartridges since 2003. In the fi rst two They had learned that throwing even healing and divination.” for consumption. Alabama, Alaska, to-cradle purchasing. years, 50 million never made their stuff away isn’t free.” Slang names for this drug include California, Florida, Georgia, Il- “Instead of throwing away way to a landfi ll. Haworth is another company Magic Mint, Diviner’s Sage, Sister linois, Iowa, New Jersey, Ohio, old, used furniture our program The company has made it easy for which U.S. Communities has part- Salvia or Ska Maria Pastora. Sold Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, tells them how to disassemble it,” counties to use the free service. Ink nered with that counties can use. for about $15 an ounce for leaves Wyoming and Wisconsin all have explained Brian True, director of and toner come with a pre-labeled “Just like recycled paper, it’s and $11 a gram for the more potent considered bills to either regulate or sales for furniture supplier Virco. box with the shipping address on it almost a given that instead of extract, it can be smoked or chewed, outright ban salvia. In February, the “Some we want back to put into new for empties to be returned. throwing paper away, you recycle it. and provides a high that can last for New York State Senate passed a bill furniture. Things like steel [counties] Offi ce Depot also acts as a pass- I think the same thing is happening just a few minutes up to a half hour. to prohibit its sale. can make money on and recycle through for vendors such as Hewlett- with offi ce furniture,” said Cyndi Chewing enhances the length of the Suffolk County, N.Y. didn’t wait locally. We take back wood, wood Packard for counties to easily get rid Kamps, in the customer develop- byproducts and plastics,” he said. of old technology like computers, ment department of Haworth. County News invites Counties across the country are printers and copiers. Hennepin County has used able to take part in this recycling pro- Los Angeles County has been re- Graybar for lighting materials as a gram through the U.S. Communities cycling toner cartridges and buying way to go green. When the lights go LLettersetters contract. In fact, U.S. Communities recycled ones for the last decade. It out, Graybar will be there to keep ttoo tthehe EEditorditor has an entire program devoted to has 10 recycling contracts to handle the material from being hauled to the Do you have a compli ment, complaint or diff erent point of view? ... “green” issues, including recycling. its waste. dumpster. Veolia Recycling Services LET US KNOW. A benefi t to counties using a U.S. “In the lifecycle, it’s all important does the recycling for Graybar. Communities contract is that the — how it was manufactured and “We stock the packaging, the Please in clude a phone num ber with your letter. Mail, fax or e-mail to: Coun ty News, NACo, 25 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Wash- bidding process is done. No need to then the e-waste,” said Joe Sandoval, boxes and the buckets that the ing ton, DC 20001; 202/393-2630; [email protected]. start from scratch. And usually these division manager of purchasing and contracts come with a cost savings contract services for L.A. County. “I See FS NEWS page 15 • CCountyountyNNewsews April 21, 2008 15 H.R. Doctor Is In You Can Take it to the Bank — DocuBank Follow me on a brief journey staff about your advance directives. commitment. care surrogate. But you don’t know care about your personal health and through the imagination. Imagine Do you want to be kept alive by There may be identifi cation in her, nor do you know any of the your security. You might want to that you care about your personal artifi cial means? Do you want heroic the victim’s wallet that tells the doctors in the trauma center who open a membership at DocuBank health and safety. That’s not hard. efforts to be made to prolong your medical staff that he is a visitor will be responsible for your care at as a powerful tool in enhancing However, do you have a will? A large life, or do you want to order a DNR from Cleveland, but neither the the worst of times. that security. majority of Americans (76 percent) (do not resuscitate), should you be emergency room staff nor the police All those cares can disappear The HR Doctor has an affi nity tell us they understand the impor- very likely to die? Do you have a are able to contact anyone at his quickly through a service known as relationship with DocuBank. That tance of having a will. However, highly acute allergy, as some people driver’s license address. In fact, he DocuBank. DocuBank stores means that if you note on the mem- only about 43 percent have wills do to shellfi sh, bee stings, peanuts or may have moved but failed to change key documents electronically bership form — available at www.do- and fewer have bothered updating watching Dancing with the Stars? the address reported to the Depart- such as the health care surrogate cubank.net — that you were referred them to refl ect the fact that they Most people have wills. We real- ment of Motor Vehicles. designations and living wills. A by the HR Doctor, then you receive have now been married, divorced, ize the importance to ourselves and Meanwhile, the clock ticks and DocuBank member is provided a substantial membership discount remarried two or three times, have to our families to take steps now to with a wallet card and a sticker and the HR Doctor receives one new children and grandchildren and make our wishes known when we for the driver’s license that will dollar for your membership. This is a strong desire to leave a substantial may not be in a position later (i.e., People used to keep their immediately tell the medical staff a relationship not for the purpose of estate behind for the care of Fluffy, when we’re dead) to make them money in mattresses or as well as the paramedics on scene making money for the HR Doctor, the toy poodle. clear. However, we don’t take the buried in the backyard, that critical information about you but for helping make colleagues Imagine, in your caring, that you follow-up steps to create a living will but the world has changed is available 24/7/365 by contacting aware of a valuable service. The are one of the very few Americans or designate a healthcare surrogate DocuBank. dollar I get from your participation who has formally designated a to help us before we die. tremendously. All it takes is a phone call for will be donated back to NACo to health care surrogate — another Now imagine that you are the the medical staff to receive critical help with scholarships. person whom you empower to make beautiful, young HR Doctor Daugh- information about you, including People used to keep their money medical decisions affecting your ter Rachel. You are working a shift the doctors must make critical deci- allergies, within seconds. That in mattresses or buried in the back- fate when you are not competent in an emergency room at 2 a.m. sions. His fate will be in the hands information will guide the staff in yard, but the world has changed or able to make those decisions for when a trauma alert is received and of total strangers with no guidance the best treatment possible for you, tremendously. We are very mobile. yourself. Imagine that you’re one of paramedics bring an auto accident from his unconscious body about in notifying people you love, and Valuables in the mattress are not the very few Americans that have victim to you. You have an ethical what he wants done and whom he in making sure that the decisions secure at all, not even if you fre- created a “living will” (one of about and a professional commitment wants notifi ed of his situation. made under very diffi cult circum- quently change the digits on your 36 percent). not to let him die. To do that, you Personally, as Dr. Rachel’s father, stances are as consistent as possible “sleep number” bed. This important document is a must intervene fast and in the right I would not have the slightest prob- with your own wishes. Our most valuable personal form of communication to others way, based on all the judgment lem leaving my fate in her hands. DocuBank offers for personal protection information, like data such as the trauma center or medical borne of education, experience and In fact, she is my designated health health and security the same kind about our own health, through a of safeguards that lead us to deposit living will or health care surrogate our paychecks in a conventional designation is useless if Dr. Rachel bank. There are walls of protection can’t identify that information Pennsylvania city and county offi cials agree to guard the data and trained per- quickly in the morning. DocuBank sonnel to make the services come can provide that access and provide to push for merger referendum by 2009 alive. Unlike a conventional bank another dose of peace of mind. however, the doors don’t close at Be healthy and wear your NEWS FROM from page 13 it together. That’s what makes it an TY offi cials to draft the county’s three in the afternoon, nor remain seatbelts. ideal time.” first architectural and housing closed on holidays or weekends. which is not possible under the Added Ravenstahl, “We can no guidelines for urban areas. I’m sure you answered the current system. longer afford the status quo. We must The Herald reported the rules questions at the beginning of this Phil Rosenberg Commissioners recently held change if we are to grow again.” address residents’ and elected article in the affi rmative. You do The HR Doctor • www.hrdr.net a fi rst reading on the proposed The two men plan to travel to offi cials’ concerns about out-of- ordinance. If it passes on second Harrisburg, the state capital, to charcter houses that don’t fi t their reading in June, the measure would lobby for special legislation to enable neighborhoods. go before voters in November. a referendum. “An awful lot of the frustration Purchasing practices can Neighboring COOS and DOUG- with growth from neighborhoods LAS counties have already made XTEXAS has to do with how it’s designed,” make counties ‘greener’ the change. The border between KAUF- said County Councilman Dave Gos- MAN and HENDERSON counties sett. “The sites, when they’re done, FS NEWS from page 14 said. “Especially with servicing XPENNSYLVANIA is in for a change. Offi cials of the have no trees. People viscerally react the government, regulations are ALLEGHENY COUNTY former have approved ceding some to that and not positively.” customer buys from us, loads up only going to get tighter.” Chief Executive Dan Onorato and 20 acres to the latter, restoring what Under the proposed guidelines, whatever is supposed to go in it, say U.S. Communities is a nonprof- Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl was once a straight-line border. developers would have to replace lights with mercury in it, and Veolia it instrumentality of government say they’ll push for a voter refer- Kaufman County has maintained trees felled to development and arranges the shipment,” according founded in 1999 and comprised endum on merging the city and the land for more than 100 years, the better match building heights to to Allison Bleier, with Graybar. of nearly 30,000 public agencies county by 2009. Kaufman Herald reported. Commis- existing roof lines. The County “The packaging is something across the country. It grows by The offi cials pledged their sup- sioner Jim Deller said the county Council is expected to consider they have to purchase separately, about 400 agencies each month. port for consolidating after the line “is supposed to be a straight line guidelines for unincorporated areas but that includes the [price of] Participating agencies spend more recent release of a task force report between the two counties, but some- of the county this spring. recycling.” than $1 billion a year on products on the issue, the Pittsburgh Post where along the line it changed.” Fluorescent lamps and dry cell and services via contracts and sup- Gazette reported. Both counties and a state judge (News From the Nation’s Counties batteries are two of the big items pliers of U.S. Communities. For “You have a mayor and county will have to approve the change. is compiled by Charles Taylor and Graybar recycles for counties. more information, please contact executive willing to do it,” Onorato Elizabeth Perry, staff writers. If “We are looking at green as Steve Swendiman at 202/942-4282 said. “This could never happen XWASHINGTON you have an item for News From, the norm. Some people pander or [email protected]. unless the two elected offi cials in Rapid residential growth please e-mail [email protected] or to it. For us, it’s just another way those positions are willing to push prompted SNOHOMISH COUN- [email protected].) to help them save money,” Bleier (Kathryn Reed writes for NACo.) 16 April 21, 2008 CCountyountyNNewsews • Job Market / Classifi eds

XDEPUTY COUNTY ATTORNEY – dynamic community experience with critically time-sensitive payments and cover letter describing you and your assess service delivery and program MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. a variety of beautiful neighborhoods, maintain up-to-date records and fi les previous experience to Nancy Chillas effectiveness, implements enhancement Salary: $134,302, DOQ. excellent schools, attractions and en- on investment transactions, interest al- at [email protected]. EOE. Ref: initiatives and sets policies across the Mecklenburg County is a great tertainment options. This position is location schedules and debt schedules. CN-042008. department. Requires substantial mid- place to work! We offer exciting ca- responsible for performing complex You will be responsible for posting to upper-level managerial experience in reers, professional development, strong attorney activities by serving as the cash and investment transactions to XHUMAN SERVICES DEPUTY a complex human services organization leadership, competitive pay, reward and county manager’s Chief General Coun- the county’s general ledger and prepar- DIRECTOR – ARLINGTON COUNTY, VA. preferably in a local government plus a recognition, great benefi ts, a healthy sel. The deputy county attorney assists ing a variety of internal and external Salary: up to mid-$120,000s, master’s degree in public administra- work/life balance and an ethical, safe, the county manager and his Executive fi nancial reports, including monthly DOQ. tion, human services administration or healthy workplace. The city of Charlotte Team on all matters of contract law, bank reconciliations and sections of Arlington seeks a strong executive related fi eld. Submit our easy Internet and Mecklenburg County provide a labor and employee relations, inter- the county’s Comprehensive Annual leader to serve as deputy of an integrated employment application at www.arling- local/interagency agreements and a Financial Report (CAFR) and debt Department of Human Services. This tonva.us/pers. Click on “County Jobs,” wide variety of local government busi- offering statements. Accuracy and at- senior executive assists the director in scroll down and click on the job title. Job Market/Classifi eds ness transactions. Juris Doctorate and tention to detail are critically important strategic planning, implementation and You will see the “Apply” link. Position Rate Schedule six years of relevant law experience as well as excellent writing skills. Please evaluation, and has overall responsibil- open until fi lled. Have questions? Call • Line Rates: $7 per line, NACo mem- is required. Two years of responsible apply online at www.forsyth.cc. Forsyth ity for the delivery of services provided 703/228-3500 and press “4.” We have ber counties; $10 per line, others. management experience is desirable. County is an EOE. by fi ve operating divisions of the depart- staff that will be happy to assist you. • Display Classifi ed: $50 per col umn Licensing Requirements: Licensure ment, directly supervising the division inch, NACo member counties; $70 per to Practice Law in N.C. Market rate: XHIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION chiefs who manage operations, includ- column inch, others. $134,302. Please apply online by visiting ENGINEERS – ROBSON FORENSIC, ing: Aging and Disability Services, (If you would like information about • Billing: Invoices will be sent after our Web site: www.mecklenburgcountync. LANCASTER, PA. Child and Family Services, Economic advertising your job openings in County publi ca tion. gov. Reference Job #3683. Salary: DOQ. Independence, Behavioral Healthcare News and County News Online, please • Mail advertising copy to: Job Market, Robson Forensic is a multi-disci- Services and Public Health Services. contact Matthew Fellows at 202/942-4256 County News, 25 Massachusetts Ave., XFISCAL ANALYST – FORSYTH pline, forensic engineering fi rm practic- The deputy director leads efforts to or [email protected].) N.W., Washington, DC 20001. COUNTY, N.C. ing throughout the northeastern and • FAX advertising copy to: Job Market, County News, 202/393-2630. Salary: $42,307 – $50,232, DOQ. central U.S. We seek mature profession- • E-mail advertising copy to: edassist@ The fiscal analyst monitors the als, experienced in the design, construc- naco.org. county’s daily cash position including tion and maintenance of roadways. • Be sure to include billing infor ma tion all daily deposits and disbursements and You would be part of a comprehensive along with copy. maintains current cash fl ow forecasts. team that includes vehicle engineers and CCountyountyNNewsews • Estimates given prior to publication Under the direction of the treasurer, the operators, crash reconstructionists, hu- ONLINE are approximations only and do not analyst invests all overnight and excess man factors engineers, biomechanical necessarily refl ect fi nal cost. idle funds and must be knowledgeable engineers and highway engineers. You Sign up for headline/Web site updates and PDF delivery at ... For more infor ma tion, contact of U.S., fi xed-income fi nancial markets, must be degreed and registered, with the Job Market representative at current interest rates and expected future 10-plus years of design experience and www.countynews.org/Online_Form.cfm 202/942-4256. interest rate trends. You will initiate excellent analytical and communica- electronic payments for a variety of tion skills. E-mail your resume and a