Board Adopts $19.9 Million Budget, Legislative Priorities for 2010 Red

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES ■ WASHINGTON, D.C. VOL. 41, NO. 24 ■ DECEMBER 14, 2009 Board adopts $19.9 million budget, Two county librarians win legislative priorities for 2010 some ‘love’ BY TOM GOODMAN BY CHARLES TAYLOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR SENIOR STAFF WRITER The NACo Board of Directors, Just in time for Christmas, meeting in Sonoma County, Calif. two county librarians are $5,000 Dec. 4–5, approved a $19.9 million richer after winning I Love My budget for 2010, seven key legislative Librarian Awards from the Car- priorities for the coming year and negie Corporation of New York guidelines for candidates for second and The New York Times. vice president. Ten librarians are selected The 2010 budget, effective Jan. for the honor annually. This 1, is approximately $300,000 less year’s winners include Dwight than the 2009 budget. The reduc- McInvaill, director of libraries tions were achieved through a in Georgetown County, S.C., and variety of cost-saving methods that Sol Gomez, a branch manager will not affect the delivery of services with the Pima County Public to members. Library in Arizona. They are the NACo is ending the 2009 budget only county librarians among this year strong fi nancially. Because the year’s winners. staff has been proactive in managing McInvaill reacted with “dis- expenses, the association is expected belief ” when he learned he had to end the year with a net surplus won. greater than the budget goal of “In addition to disbelief, I $602,000. was astounded,” he said. “I don’t The Board approved four policy consider myself particularly lov- issues as part of the budget: a able.” He might not, but at least 401(k) match of 3 percent for staff, Photo by Tom Goodman three people — who nominated the same as the 2009 level; capital Past NACo President Betty Lou Ward (center) comments during the Board discussion on NACo’s 2010 budget. him — do fi nd him to be a librar- purchases of $245,000, which is a Looking on are (l-r): Leslie Korgel, McLean County, N.D.; Danny Wright, Vance County, N.C.; Ward; Karen ian to love. Geales Sands is one Miller, Boone County, Mo.; and Carol Holden, Hillsborough County, N.H. decrease from $661,000 in 2009; of them. waiving the 3.5 percent surplus “Dwight McInvaill is a quiet, humble, intelligent, empathetic See BOARD page 2 community leader,” said Sands, Red Flags rule delayed again who is executive director of a The Federal Trade Commission including local governments, to operations and transactions are local philanthropic foundation. has once again delayed enforcement adopt a written Identity Theft covered in your county, consult “He does amazing work through of the “Red Flags Rule” — until Prevention Program that is geared with your legal counsel or contact the libraries, but he accepts and June 1, 2010. Aimed at combating towards detecting, preventing and the FTC at [email protected]. You takes no fanfare whatsoever.” the growing problem of identity mitigating identity theft. The rule can also visit the FTC’s dedicated Others, however, do take note. theft, the rule requires creditors, generally applies to municipal Web site at www.ftc.gov/redfl agsrule One of the accomplishments utilities and other government where you can download the com- for which he was recognized is QuickTakes operations that defer payment for mission’s new publication Fighting what he referred to as “landing services on a recurring basis. Fraud with the Red Flags Rule: A a spaceship in a cornfi eld” — Counties with Applicability of the rule to How-To Guide for Business. a particular county activity will See LIBRARIANS page 6 HHighestighest depend on how and when payment PPercentageercentage ooff FFoodood is collected for the service. For SStamptamp RRecipientsecipients example, if the county provides a utility service that is subsequently HHappyappy HHolidaysolidays Wade Hampton Borough, Alaska 49% paid for by the consumer at the end Whatever holiday you celebrate Owsley County, Ky. 49% of a billing cycle, the county has ex- Shannon County, S.D. 49% tended credit for the purpose of the this time of year — may it be merry. Pemiscot County, Mo. 47% rule. As a result, the county utility Happy Holidays from the staff at Todd County, S.D. 46% must have a written Identity Theft County News and NACo. Prevention Program in place. Source: New York Times, June 2009 To determine what types of 2 December 14, 2009 CCountyountyNNewsews • NACo Board plans 13 major goals, initiatives for 2010 LaHood BOARD from page 1 2010 budget Although additional funding announces requirement for the year; and no is provided in the 2010 budget for cost-of-living or merit increases new programs or initiatives, there for staff. The Board did approve are new programs included among millions for $150,000 in funding for one-time the 13 major goals and initiatives staff bonuses to be distributed at planned for 2010. streetcars the discretion of the executive The major goals are: director. • maintain the number of mem- U.S. Transportation Secretary ber counties and dues revenue at 2009 Ray LaHood has announced the Candidates' Guidelines levels (three-year goal) availability of $280 million for The guidelines for candidates for • maintain the number of major urban circulator projects such second vice president ask that can- conference attendees and registration as streetcars, buses, and bus didates notify the NACo president revenue at 2009 levels (three-year facilities to support communities, of their intention to run and fi ll out goal) expand business opportunities a questionnaire by Jan. 31 of the • add 50 new sites to the Network and improve people’s quality of same year as the election. Candidates of Care program life while also creating jobs. are also asked to agree to limit all • begin the Veteran’s Network of The money represents the non-travel-related expenditures to Care program with federal partners fi rst batch of funding by the no more than $25,000 and only to and Trilogy Integrated Resources Obama administration for its visit those state associations that en- • advance the Restore the Partner- Livability Initiative, a joint dorse candidates at in-state meetings ship campaign by getting 100 co- venture of the U.S. Department prior to the Annual Conference. (See sponsors for H.R. 3332, which would of Transportation (DOT), U.S. Guidelines for Candidates for NACo establish the National Commission Department of Housing and Second Vice President, below.) on Intergovernmental Relations and Urban Development (HUD) and The guidelines require that the help establish a Congressional Local U.S. Environmental Protection candidates limit campaign functions Government Caucus Agency (EPA). and distribution of materials to a • implement a NACo Bond “This represents a signifi cant period from the fi rst day of the Leg- Financing conduit through NACo’s effort to promote livable commu- islative Conference to election day at Financial Services Center, U.S. nities, improve the quality of life the Annual Conference. Candidates Communities and Joint Powers for more Americans and create will have information about their Authority by the end of the fi rst more transportation choices that Photo by Tom Goodman candidacy published in County News quarter, with the fi rst issue by the serve the needs of individual and on the NACo Web site. In addi- Burrell Ellis, Southern Region Representative to NACo’s Board of Direc- end of 2010 communities,” LaHood said. tors, reports to the board on his participation in the White House Forum tion, candidates will be introduced implement a pilot program for “Fostering the concept of livabil- on Jobs and Economic Growth. During the forum, attended by President • at the Legislative Conference and Obama and Vice President Biden, Ellis was involved in a break-out session, the Dental Discount Card Program ity in transportation projects will allowed to address the delegates for “Strengthening Workers and Main Street.” He says the discussion focused in partnership with Careington, stimulate America’s neighbor- three minutes. on accelerated retraining of the workforce, extension of Recovery Act Inc. hoods to become safer, healthier The Board also approved the Funding directly to local governments, and federal incentives to revive • establish a self-supporting and more vibrant.” second vice president candidate housing appreciation and new construction. Secretary of Labor Hilda “data warehouse” and have its fi rst A maximum amount of $25 questionnaire and a policy that Solis co-moderated the session Dec. 3. Ellis is chief executive of DeKalb phase operational by the Legislative million per project will be made allows minority reports on steering County, Ga. Conference available from approximately committee actions. • continue the redesign of the $130 million in unallocated dis- NACo Web site with an initial cretionary New Starts and Small launch at the Legislative Confer- Starts Program funds. Eligible Guidelines for 2nd VP Candidates ence and project completion by the projects include streetcars and Annual Conference other urban circulator systems. The NACo Board of Directors adopted new or other description that states how the candidate’s • launch a “Healthy Counties Priority will be given to projects guidelines for candidates for the election for Second background and experience qualifi es him or her for Initiative” patterned after the Green that connect destinations and Vice President that will be held at the Annual Con- the position. Government Initiative with county foster the redevelopment of com- ference next July in Washoe County, Nev. Between • agree to limit all non-travel-related campaign and corporate participants munities into walkable, mixed- Jan. 1 –31, candidates will need to send to President expenditures to no more than $25,000 • increase educational pro- use, high-density environments.

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