SPOTLIGHT ON: CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Counties 101 BALTIMORE COUNTY COVERAGE OF NACo’S 2021 in Blue Earth ENGAGES PUBLIC IN VIRTUAL LEGISLATIVE County, Minn. BUDGET PROCESS. PG. 3 CONFERENCE. PGS. 5-9 Pg. 11 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES VOL. 53, NO. 6 APRIL 12, 2021 BIDEN: AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN COOK COUNTY KEY TO PANDEMIC RECOVERY TREASURER HELPS REFUND MILLIONS

by Rachel Looker staff writer

When the Black Lives Matter The arts movement gained momen- help bring us tum last year, Cook County, Ill. Treasurer Maria Pappas used together. her role in county government Pg. 13 to put her own spin on it. “I am the treasurer,” she said. “I am responsible for the sale of homes and I am going to do my thing, which is Black Houses Ma t t e r.” President Joe Biden speaks to NACo members during NACo’s 2021 Virtual Legislative Conference. Pappas launched her own show on a local radio station by Rachel Looker is the most significant invest- County officials have a part- where she speaks with home- staff writer ment in county and local gov- ner in his administration when owners who have overpaid on ernments in the history of it comes to fighting the pan- property taxes. With the passing of the the country, Biden told NACo demic, improving the econo- “We tell them whether or American Rescue Plan, Pres- members March 24 during the my, reopening schools, rooting not they are one of the people Silver lining? ident Joe Biden’s message to 2021 Virtual NACo Legislative out systemic racism, tackling in Cook County who has dou- Pandemic’s county officials was clear: Help Conference. the climate crisis, budgeting ble paid by $79 million or has is here. “It comes with flexibility to and continuing essential ser- missed a homeowner senior or impact on The $350 billion allocation address your specific needs,” senior freeze exemption to the public to state and local governments he explained. See BIDEN page 4 tune of $48 million,” she said. meetings Since March 2020, Pappas has given back $50 million to Pg. 14 the African American commu- What’s in the American Jobs Plan? nity and $24 million to the His- panic community through her by Jessica Jennings Alongside the plan, Biden also ported infrastructure, including Black Houses Matter campaign released his Made in America all modes of transportation, wa- and outreach efforts. President Biden has unveiled Tax Plan, outlining the revenue ter systems, broadband, public The overall goal of the initia- the American Jobs Plan, a $2.3 sources intended to fully offset schools, community develop- tive is to put money back into trillion investment in America’s the investment levels made in ment and affordable housing. the hands of homeowners by infrastructure that funds sectors the plan over 15 years. Following bold yet unsuc- helping them find refunds, ap- from transportation to drinking The proposal is part of a two- cessful infrastructure propos- ply for property tax exemptions water to public schools. pronged approach being taken als by his two most immediate and avoid the sales tax. by the White House, with the an- predecessors, Biden has con- From there, “it just became a nouncement of a second “social tinued the recent White House titanic wave,” she said. infrastructure” package expect- tradition of promising to make “In most instances, these ed to follow later this month. major investments in America’s are people who are disenfran- While the U.S. Congress still infrastructure during his time in chised seniors. needs to draft legislative text office. Their tax bill was $600 and corresponding to the proposal, The president plans to pay for they thought that the six was a many of the recommendations it through corporate tax hikes four so they wrote a check for in the plan have the potential to impact county-owned or sup- See JOBS PLAN page 4 See TREASURER page 2 2 APRIL 12, 2021 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS County treasurer teams up with TV station to refund millions in property taxes

From TREASURER page 1

$400 so now they’re on the tax sale list for owing me $200 — the potential of losing a home for taxes,” she said. Pappas wanted to take her Black Houses Matter initiative one step further. She contacted local TV sta- tion ABC 7 Chicago to hold a Black and Latino Houses Matter phone bank to reach a wider audience and help Cook County homeowners. ABC 7 Vice President of Community Engagement Di- ana Palomar said the station was aware of Pappas’ efforts in the community. “It seemed like just a really great opportunity for us to get our hands around something that could be really impact- ful for our viewership which are predominantly black and brown folks,” she said. Cook County, Ill. Treasurer Maria Pappas hosted the Black and Latino Houses Matter phone bank with TV station ABC 7 Chicago on Staff from the treasurer’s March 11-17 and returned over $10.5 million to property owners in property tax exemptions. Photo courtesy of Cook County Treasurer’s Office office manned a phone bank during a program about the glish. Originally scheduled for the event a week. month,” she said. are future plans for a contin- effort, answering calls in Span- one day, Pappas and the local “It was a very easy decision The website, designed in- ued partnership between the ish, Polish, Chinese and En- news station decided to extend that day because we saw the house by the treasurer’s office, county and the news station. lift that we were having and includes information in 108 The initiative will soon hit the the impact that we were hav- languages and brochures in 24 road with the addition of two ing at the county level and languages ranging from Alba- “Pappas Mobiles” that will visit people were indeed taking nian to Hindi to Lithuanian. communities and allow staff to advantage of dollars that were “The popularity of this site in help those who would other- available to them,” ABC 7 CEO these foreign languages goes to wise have their homes zoned John Idler said. “It was clear show how complicated the ex- or who haven’t received ex- that we’re helping to put dol- emption and the tax system is,” emptions. lars back in the pockets of our she said. “We are restoring money to viewers.” Users can see if they are eli- people’s pockets in an extraor- Pappas’ office sent out appli- gible for an exemption by typ- dinarily unfortunate pandem- cations for refunds and missing ing in their address which then ic,” she said. property exemptions totaling displays a photograph of their Pappas, who reported live BROOD X CICADAS SET TO EMERGE $12.5 million to homeown- property. from the phone bank wearing a ers who called into the phone “The fact that the website sequined jacket she purchased bank. was up 325,000 hits because of at a kid’s store, had a simple HOW OFTEN BROOD X APPEARS...... Every 17 years The phone bank received this phone bank is extraordi- message for others working in WHERE THEY WILL APPEAR...... 14 states over 300,000 calls in just the nary,” Pappas said. county government. first two days and with the in- “It also tells you that in the “Lighten up, get off your SURFACE TEMPERATURE flux of homeowners inquiring time of a pandemic, people hind end and go do something NEEDED TO APPEAR...... 64 degrees about exemptions, Pappas said simply aren’t going out. They’re for somebody. You’ll feel bet- they directed many to her web- going to stay home and do ev- ter,” she said. WHERE BROOD X LIVES...... 8 inches below surface site. erything online.” HIGHEST DENSITY...... 1.5 million cicadas per acre “We know that this is suc- Pappas is keeping up the For more information, visit cessful because my website momentum and success of https://www.cookcountytrea- Source: USDA Forest Service is hitting 1.2 million hits a her initiative. Idler said there surer.com.

President Editor and ADVERTISING STAFF Published by: The appearance of paid advertisements in County POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Gary W. Moore Senior Writer Job Market/Classifieds National Association of Counties News in no way implies support or endorsement County News, 660 N. Capitol Street, N.W. Mary Ann Barton by the National Association of Counties for any of Publisher representative Research Foundation, Inc. STE. 400, Washington, D.C. 20001 Matthew Chase Digital Editor 660 N. Capitol Street, N.W. STE. 400, the products, services or messages advertised. National Accounts (USPS 704-620) n (ISSN: 0744-9798) and Senior Writer Washington, D.C. 20001 Periodicals postage paid at Washington D.C. and Chief Public © National Association of Counties Charlie Ban representative 202.393.6226 | FAX 866.752.1573 other offices. Affairs Officer Research Foundation, Inc. Brian Namey Staff Writer Mary Ann Barton E-mail [email protected] Mail subscriptions are $100 per year for non-mem- Rachel Looker 202.942.4223 Online address www.countynews.org bers. $60 per year for non-members purchasing Design Director FAX 866.752.1573 multiple copies. Educational institution rate, $50 per Leon Lawrence III year. Member county supplemental subscriptions are $20 each. Send payment with order and address changes to NACo, 660 N. Capitol Street, N.W. STE. We are committed to getting County News on your desktop ASAP. Send your address corrections to [email protected]. 400, Washington, D.C. 20001. COUNTY NEWS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES APRIL 12, 2021 3

BRIGHTIDEAS BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. BEHIND THE Financial Tool Increases Public SEALSEAL Engagement with Budget Simulation KETCHIKAN GATEWAY PROBLEM: BOROUGH Baltimore County faced an $81 he Ketchikan Gateway million deficit in Fiscal Year Borough seal was 2020. T developed ahead of SOLUTION: the borough’s 50th anniver- Create a tool that educates sary, celebrated in 2013. residents about the county’s fiscal An original “plain seal” was challenges and allows for increased created in 1964, but the public engagement regarding borough assembly supported financial priorities. the redesign of a new seal for the borough’s 50th birthday or “semi-centennial.” The by Rachel Looker assembly held a seal design staff writer contest and selected Alaska wildlife and landscape artist Baltimore County, Md. Exec- Terry Pyles’ design as the utive John “Johnny O” Olsze- winner. wski was surprised by the severe fiscal challenges his ad- ministration inherited shortly after he took office. The county faced an $81 million deficit in Fiscal Year Baltimore County, Md. Executive Johnny Olszewski held a series of town hall meetings prior to the 2020 and as the 2020 budget COVID-19 pandemic to engage with residents about the county’s budget. Photo courtesy of Baltimore County submission time approached, Olszewski wanted to engage di- involves a simulation where we collaboratively crafted a bi- lected data from those who rectly with residents in order to users may reallocate funds partisan budget that closed the didn’t complete a fully bal- balance the budget and invest and increase possible revenue inherited $81 million shortfall,” anced budget to see users’ de- The longhouse on the left side of the seal represents the borough’s in new projects. streams to balance spending. Olszewski said. cisions on spending cuts and history and native culture. “Transparency and account- Before the COVID-19 pan- revenue increases. ability are vital to an effective demic, Olszewski hosted a The county reviewed the “Transparency and government,” Olszewski said. series of town hall meetings submissions and data to see Trees, the mountains and water accountability are “Empowering people to better to engage with residents and how residents prioritized represent the area’s geography. vital to an effec- understand where taxpayer inform them of the county’s county services in the simula- dollars come from and where financial challenges and the tions and paired this feedback tive government,” they go allows us to build trust, county budget. with community engagement An eagle and salmon depict Olszewski said. foster collaboration and helps During the town halls, Olsze- efforts, such as the town halls, the borough’s animal life and us meet our shared goal to wski heard from constituents to hear directly from residents rich natural heritage. To increase transparency strengthen every community.” about what projects are im- about budget priorities. These and public engagement, Balti- The tool depicts different portant to them and how they efforts helped inform the coun- more County launched the Bal- scenarios of various project would address the county’s ty’s proposed budget. A fishing boat symbolizes the borough’s ties to the sea as ancing Act tool to allow county costs and allows users to see fiscal challenges. In addition “Through this transparent well as its industry and depen- residents to learn more about possible program cuts that may to the meetings, the tool pro- and collaborative process, dence on nature. the budget and the difficult be needed or which revenue vided insight into county resi- County Executive Olszews- decisions that must be made increases might be needed in dents’ priorities with a goal of ki and the Baltimore County during a budgeting process. property or sales taxes to fund increasing public engagement Council partnered to close an The assembly requested a few The tool launched publicly a project. and education about the coun- inherited $81 million budget modifications to the original March 2019 and received 5,000 At the time, a variety of proj- ty’s financial status. deficit and put the county on design of the seal including the page views. It was created in ects were included in the sim- “I ran for county executive stable fiscal footing — which addition of the date the bor- partnership with the nationally ulation such as building two committing to a more open, became especially critical ough was established, fishing recognized Balancing Act plat- new high schools, road resur- accessible and transparent amid the economic crisis cre- lines attached to the boat and form, which creates easy-to- facing, new libraries and new government for the people of ated amid the COVID-19 pan- a mining pick, shovel and float use online budget simulations, public safety facilities. Baltimore County,” he said. demic,” Naron said. plane around the perimeter of the seal. said Sean Naron, a Baltimore “We introduced this oppor- By using the tool, county res- County spokesman. tunity to allow residents to bet- idents were able to submit fully Baltimore County’s Balancing With the tool, residents are ter understand the challenges balanced budgets to the coun- Act Tool is the recipient of a Best If you would like your county’s able to examine the county’s we faced, try their hand at bal- ty. Over 460 users completed in Category 2020 NACo Achieve- seal featured in “Behind the projected budget situation for ancing the budget themselves fully balanced budgets. ment Award in the Financial Seal,” contact Rachel Looker an upcoming year. The process and share their priorities as Baltimore County also col- Management category. at [email protected]. 4 APRIL 12, 2021 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS ‘I know we can do this together — Republican, Democrat, we can do this together’ From BIDEN page 1 tact.” adult to be eligible for a vaccine tation of the American Rescue “I know there’s a lot to do, I The American Rescue Plan by May. Plan. Biden said relief will ar- really do, but I know we can vices, he said. puts the country on a path “So that on July 4, we can rive equitably and efficiently. do this together — Republi- “You’ve heard me say before to reopen schools safely and begin to declare our indepen- He also referenced his Build can, Democrat, we can do this as a former councilman that quickly, support small busi- dence from this virus, a true In- Back Better Recovery Plan, together,” he said. “I want to I know what a hard job you nesses in counties and cut dependence Day,” Biden said. which he said his adminis- thank you all for doing what have,” he said. “Your work is child poverty in half as well as Biden recently appointed tration will continue to work your communities and your often the basis on which peo- provide the resources needed economist Gene Sperling, who closely with counties on the country needs so badly be- ple either have faith or don’t to beat the pandemic including is experienced in implement- long-term investments in in- cause you’re right there, you’re have faith in their government for vaccines, vaccinators and ing major government initia- frastructure, broadband and in among the first government re- because you’re the direct con- vaccination sites to allow every tives, to oversee the implemen- other areas. sponders.” How might the $2.3 trillion American Jobs Plan affect counties?

From JOBS PLAN page 1 ed in America who have merged demonstration programs for ty-based or institutional care for ● $40 billion to improve the in- with a foreign company to pay innovative delivery of federal persons needing assistance with frastructure of America’s public and new taxes on interna tional federal income taxes social services and workforce activities of daily living. housing system commerce and a repeal of the ● Remove tax incentives for training programs that are of- ● $27 billion to establish a previous administration’s 2017 offshoring jobs and provide fered through local govern- Public schools and Clean Energy and Sustainability tax cuts, and other sources. credits for onshoring ments. community colleges | Accelerator to mobilize private By the end of the month, the ● Enact a 15 percent minimum $137 billion investment into retrofits of resi- Biden-Harris Administration tax on profits from large corpo- Manufacturing and small ● $100 billion to build new and dential, commercial and munic- is expected to have released a rations, likely defined as those businesses | $300 billion upgrade existing public schools, ipal buildings fully funded infrastructure pro- with “book profits” of or in ex- total with $50 billion distributed ● Establishing a new compet- posal that would send what is cess of $100 million ● $20 billion for regional inno- through direct grants and $50 itive grant program that awards likely to be nearly $4 trillion in ● Eliminate tax preferences vation hubs and a Community billion leveraged through bonds flexible funding to jurisdictions federal funds to a wide range of for fossil fuels and reinstate the Revitalization Fund to build so- ● $12 billion to address phys- that take steps to eliminate ex- areas, the majority of which Re- requirement that polluting in- cial infrastructure that supports ical and technological infra- clusionary zoning and land use publicans argue is not actually dustries make payments to the innovation structure needs at community policies that create barriers to infrastructure and should not be Superfund Trust Fund to cover ● $31 billion to create a na- colleges and develop strategies affordable housing included in future legislation. the cost of remediation tional network of small business to improve access in education ● Producing and retrofit- The president’s plan includes ● Increase enforcement of the incubators and innovation hubs “deserts” ting over one million afford- funding for the following: tax code and audits for corpora- and to invest in programs that ● $25 billion for a new Child able, electrified housing units ● Workforce development tions and high-earning individ- provide financial resources to Care Growth and Innovation through targeted tax credits, ● Manufacturing and small uals to ensure compliance small businesses Fund that would increase the formula funding, grants and business Counties encourage state and availability of childcare ser- project-based rental assistance ● Research and development County impacts federal governments to provide vices for infants and toddlers Counties support legislation and job training Through the American Jobs incentives that support entre- through facility improvements that makes funding available to ● Home healthcare workers Plan, Biden has issued recom- preneurs and small business and new construction in high state and local governments to ● VA hospitals mendations to Congress, who growth. Counties believe local need areas address affordable and work- ● Public schools and commu- are now tasked with developing governments should work to ● Expanding tax credits for force housing needs. nity colleges legislation that may be eventu- bolster the development of en- employers that would refund ● Public housing ally enacted into law. For Amer- trepreneurial and business tal- 50 percent of the first $1 million Clean energy | $100 ● Clean energy ica’s counties, parishes and bor- ent within their communities of construction costs for on-site billion total ● Broadband deployment oughs, these recommendations and emphasize the expansion childcare facilities ● $5 billion to remediate and ● Water systems include: and retention of local business- Local education systems af- redevelop Brownfield and Su- ● Transportation and resil- es. fect all segments of the commu- perfund sites iency Workforce development | nity and are critical to the suc- ● Establishing clean energy $100 billion total Home health workers | cess of many programs operated block grants for local govern- The Made in America ● $48 billion for workforce de- $400 billion by counties. ments to support clean energy, Tax Plan velopment infrastructure and ● $400 billion to expand access Regardless of the specific worker empowerment and en- The plan to fully fund the worker protections, expanding to quality, affordable home- or funding arrangements between vironmental justice American Jobs Plan does so over registered apprenticeships and community-based care for ag- counties and school districts, ● Transitioning to a 100 per- 15 years via a series of proposed supporting community college ing relatives and people with they share a common tax base cent carbon-free power sector changes to the federal tax code partnerships that facilitate job disabilities and to expand ac- and are both faced with limited by 2035 that include the following: training programs cess to long-term care services resources. Counties support the rede- ● Increase the corporate tax ● $12 billion for disadvantaged under Medicaid and increase Further, according to the velopment of abandoned or rate from 21 percent to 28 per- workers and job training for for- wages and benefits for caregiv- American Association of Com- under-utilized industrial and cent merly incarcerated individuals ing jobs munity Colleges, there are 986 commercial sites, which are ● Establish a global minimum and justice-involved youth, and Since counties provide and public community colleges frequently contaminated due tax on U.S. multinational corpo- establishing a new subsidized otherwise support long-term nationwide and local funds to past practices, through pro- rations jobs program care and other communi- provide 17 percent of their rev- grams designed to allow these ● Encourage a global cor- Congress and the adminis- ty-based services for the elderly enues. sites to once again be econom- porate minimum income tax tration should support legisla- and disabled, state and federal Several local governments ically viable. Counties also sup- through financial disincentives tive and regulatory efforts that regulations and funding pro- also fund four-year colleges. port federal funding for environ- for country’s who do not partic- would provide additional re- grams should provide counties mental cleanup of these areas. ipate sources to create, support the the flexibility to support the full Public housing | $213 ● Require corporations locat- development of, and fund pilot/ continuum of home, communi- billion total See JOBS PLAN page 20 COUNTY NEWS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES APRIL 12, 2021 5

NACo Second Vice President Denise Winfrey, a Will County, Ill. commissioner, speaks with Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg March 26 at NACo’s Virtual Legislative Con- ference.

to be user-friendly for local “You’ll never catch me as- BUTTIGIEG: LOCAL GOVERNMENT governments, he said. suming that if we’re inter- Local grant programs could acting with states then the offer that opportunity. concerns of counties or com- VOICE, ACCESSIBILITY KEY “We’re trying to make the munities are taken care of.” process as straightforward as He has instructed DOT TO PATH FORWARD FOR U.S. possible,” he said. personnel to look for permit “Even if you don’t get a com- streamlining opportunities INFRASTRUCTURE petitive grant, we want to work that might expedite various with you to talk about how reviews and eliminate redun- by Charlie Ban thing we have a huge oppor- to climate needs and provide your application can be stron- dant processes. senior writer tunity to do something about benefits in an equitable way, ger for the next time around,” “If you’ve even been con- at a moment when we have he noted. he noted. sidered for a full environmen- Despite facing a $1 trillion bipartisan interest, demon- He said the $30 billion in “We want to be transparent tal impact statement or even deferred maintenance back- strated need, public attention, transit funding included in and consistent about what if you’re just pursuing an EA log, Transportation Secretary congressional attention, and I the American Rescue Plan, de- it takes in order to succeed [environmental assessment] Pete Buttigieg said March 26 can tell you, a very supportive signed to stave off service and in these discretionary grant or a categorial exclusion, you a national infrastructure plan president to do something big staffing cuts, could also help programs as well as how to know how much complexity now in the works must do this time around,” he said. systems pivot toward being a work with us on those formula is involved in those permitting more than just fix what’s bro- “I believe American com- means of choice for residents. funds that go out on a manda- processes,” he said. ken. petitiveness depends on us “What county officials are tory basis,” he said. “They exist for a good rea- “We have to transform our making a generational invest- in a unique position to edu- He said he recognized that son and I’m not talking about infrastructure for the future, a ment, a once-in-a-lifetime cate the public and Congress states don’t often share local wanting to cut corners on future that’s going to include kind of investment in Ameri- about is that transit is not only government’s perspectives on any of the environmental or technologies that would have can infrastructure,” he said. a concern for our biggest met- their own priorities. community or worker protec- sounded fanciful a few years “From things we see every ropolitan counties and coastal “The most bipartisan per- tion or other concerns that ago but are now very much day like roads and bridges to cities,” he said. spective I know is that of being are written into the law, but upon us,” he said. things you don’t hear about “As you know well, because on the ground,” he said. there have got to be more ef- In a General Session discus- as much like our national air- you’re responsible for guid- “I do want to make sure that ficient and user-friendly ways sion with NACo Second Vice space,” he said. ing this, it is in our mid-sized, as a department, we don’t al- to make sure that those goals President Denise Winfrey, “And things that have be- small and rural communities ways require you to go through are met. Buttigieg detailed his prior- come every much a part of our that transit is often a lifeline multiple layers of government “I know most counties aren’t ities for the package, which infrastructure like digital in- for marginalized and minori- to get our attention,” he noted. in a position to have a federal many hope will accompany frastructure and the need for tized groups that have been “Yes, there are some things relations expert on staff to fig- the surface transportation re- broadband.” too often left out of transpor- that flow through the states, ure out how to navigate these authorization due Sept. 30. Those investments will tation decision-making in the but we also want to make sure processes,” he said, “which is “The number one reason emphasize safety, boost eco- p a s t .” there’s a direct relationship, why I feel a responsibility to why a project doesn’t get done nomic competitiveness of all The Department of Trans- because I think that’s a very make them as straightforward is lack of funding and that’s the communities, be responsible portation has a responsibility important part of federalism. as possible.” 6 APRIL 12, 2021 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS INFRASTRUCTURE BILL WILL GROW FROM BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR FAST ACT REAUTHORIZATION

by Charlie Ban senior writer

If bipartisanship is to be found in the 117th Congress, the route to reach it will follow roads and cross bridges. Where it goes from there remains to be seen. Though a surface transporta- tion reauthorization bill is the only must-do legislation by Sept. 30, members of both parties and both chambers of Congress ex- pressed hopes during a March 25 briefing to NACo members that an infrastructure bill would continue to foster common ideological ground. Leaders of the Senate En- vironment and Public Works Committee pointed to the FAST Act reauthorization that passed unanimously in the last Con- gress as a starting point. They hope to have a bill out of their Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) speaks to NACo members March 25 during NACo’s 2021 Virtual Legislative Conference. committee by May. House coun- terparts are aiming for early ranking member of the Trans- were produced by vehicles, mak- band and public education,” he good in West Virginia is good in summer. portation and Infrastructure ing it a big target for Biden’s goal said. “It means research and de- California or good in Maine,” she Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), Committee, said Biden and for addressing climate change. velopment in the technologies said. “Local leaders with state chair of the committee, stressed Transportation Secretary Pete Capito noted that planning for that support the middle-class legislators and the governor cer- that bipartisan viability was one Buttigieg seemed receptive to electric vehicle-charging sta- jobs of the future.” tainly can make those decisions of the best qualities the bill could making a good faith effort to take tions was going to be a funda- “We can also make sure com- with their state departments of offer. Republican priorities into con- mental part of long-term plan- munities are thinking about the transportation.” “One that can get across the sideration if surface transpor- ning. links between transportation Speakers also discussed pay- finish line onto the president’s tation becomes part of a larger House Transportation Chair- and housing,” he noted. “So ing for an infrastructure package desk,” he said. infrastructure package. man Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) many people want to live near that has been reported to total $3 His Republican counterpart “I ask that you all remind said adjusting to more extreme public transit, they just can’t af- trillion. agreed. members of Congress and the environmental conditions was ford it. We can work to help fix The user-fee system that has “Obviously, a five-year infra- administration that the road to crucial to making sure those in- that.” funded infrastructure continues structure bill, highway bill is not success, when it comes to re- frastructure investments last. The members recognized the to fall behind pace as new cars only an enhancement to safety authorization of an infrastruc- “We’re going to rebuild the plight counties encounter as need less and less gas, while at and the ability to move commer- ture package for that matter, bridges, the highways and our part of the federal-state-local the same time the federal gas cial products and other things,” is through partnership, it’s not transit in a way that is going to be system and offered support. tax has remained the same since said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito through partisanship,” he said. resilient, we’re going to deal with Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), 1993. (R-W.Va.), the committee’s rank- Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), the issues that are the result of chairman of the Subcommittee Davis said funding sourc- ing member. “It’s also a big job ranking member on the Sub- climate change — whether you on Transportation and Infra- es should be diversified but creator, it always has been and committee on Highways and acknowledge it or not — the sea structure, said “transportation shouldn’t stray too far from so we’re hoping that with the Transit, warned against using level is rising, we’re having more alternative” programs could di- transportation and infrastruc- give and take of a bipartisan pro- budget reconciliation to pass an severe weather events, we’re go- rect funds specifically to local ture sources. cess like we’ve had in the past, entire infrastructure bill. ing to rebuild it in a way that lasts governments. “I think opening up the in- we’ll have good luck to be able “If you’re going to use budget longer,” he said. “I want 100-year “We know you’re at the mercy come tax to pay for a climate bill to pass this through committee.” reconciliation, use it for the cli- bridges, not 60-year bridges.” of the states,” he said. “Of course, or an infrastructure bill would be Whatever comity the Environ- mate package, don’t disguise a Senate Banking, Housing the state has its priorities, but very short-sighted,” he said, par- ment and Public Works (EPW) climate bill into a title that’s in- and Urban Affairs Chairman local governments have their ticularly following the pandemic Committee enjoys, it would frastructure,” he said. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) priorities and we want to make and economic malaise. have to extend to the Banking, The link between transporta- pointed out that infrastructure sure that you have discretion on Capito suggested a big bill, Finance and Commerce com- tion and infrastructure and cli- concepts ranged beyond trans- funding your priorities.” properly funded, was the best mittees. mate change was reflected both portation, and when compre- “I’m sensitive to the fact that way to keep the country moving “Passing a comprehensive in recognition that new con- hensively planned for, could sometimes the state’s interests forward, rather than just fixing reauthorization package in the struction would have to hold up tackle both affordable housing don’t exactly align with county the transportation system, but Senate isn’t something the EPW under different environmental and traffic congestion. governments,” DeFazio added. the key to continued bipartisan- Committee can do alone, we conditions and the infrastruc- “We talk about infrastructure, Capito stressed local flexibility ship was to “avoid lightning-rod have three other committees… ture needed to serve transpor- we mean it in the broadest terms, for what comes out of an infra- issues.” they’ve got to do their jobs as tation. we mean roads and bridges and structure package. “A long-term reauthorization well,” Carper said. Carper noted that nearly 30 transit, of course, but infrastruc- “I think the worst thing that Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), percent of greenhouse gases ture also means housing, broad- we could do is think that what’s See FAST ACT page 8 COUNTY NEWS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES APRIL 12, 2021 7 Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy continues to pose challenges for inmate health care

by Rachel Looker of the crime for which they have lic Health and co-director of the re-entry plans. straints on the budgets of sher- staff writer been charged,” he said. Center for Research Engage- ● Health systems in the com- iffs at the local level. In 2019, Markey reintroduced ment at Yale School of Medicine munity should be better pre- “I do not think there is a sin- The need to amend the Med- the Supporting Positive Out- discussed the National Acade- pared for justice-involved indi- gular issue that has greater icaid Inmate Exclusion Policy comes After Release Act. The mies of Science’s report, which viduals’ return. impact on sheriffs across the (MIEP) is even greater with the legislation prohibits states from she worked on. Dubbed “De- “Any preparedness strategy country and the individuals in COVID-19 pandemic exacer- terminating an inmate’s Medic- carcerating Correctional Facili- for the next COVID-19 outbreak our care, custody and control or bating existing barriers to treat- aid coverage while they are in- ties During COVID-19,” it exam- and the next public health our communities than the Med- ment and healthcare services carcerated. ines the community supports emergency must ensure im- icaid Inmate Exclusion Policy,” for justice-involved individuals, “We need to do better,” he designed to ensure successful proved integration of the cor- he said. according to Sen. Edward Mar- said. “We can do better. All of us reentry for released individuals. rectional facilities into our larg- St. Charles Parish, La. Sheriff key (D-Mass.). know that the COVID-19 pan- The report includes three er public health and healthcare Greg Champagne emphasized County officials discussed demic has highlighted the dire recommendations related to system and Medicaid is a first the need for future legislation the MIEP, which strips federal need for further innovation in health care and Medicaid: and important step in doing so,” to provide these benefits for health benefits from individuals our approach to end this poli- ● Medicaid should be expand- Wang said. pre-trial detainees. upon admission to jail, during c y .” ed to ensure that incarcerated Middlesex County, Mass. “While the re-entry and the the Advancing Health Care in Rep. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) has and previously incarcerated in- Sheriff Peter Koutoujian, who 30 days before release is a great Jails Through Access to Med- also championed legislation dividuals have access to health also serves as president of Ma- step in the right direction,” he icaid briefing March 25 during regarding the MIEP and intro- care services. jor County Sheriffs of America, said, “what we really need is for the 2021 NACo Legislative duced the Medicaid Re-Entry ● Correctional officials, in col- said the MIEP forms barriers to benefits not to be cut off and the Conference. The policy creates Act, which allows states to ac- laboration with public officials accessing health care for jus- inmates who can’t make bail challenges for local criminal tivate Medicaid coverage for and community organizations, tice-involved individuals and not to be discriminated against justice systems and contributes individuals transitioning out of should develop individualized places significant fiscal con- because of that fact.” to behavioral and mental health incarceration 30 days prior to crises. release. While passage of the Amer- “The idea was to lower over- ican Rescue Plan expands ac- dose deaths to better link incar- cess to healthcare, including cerated individuals with Med- Medicaid coverage, the MIEP icaid coverage as a conduit for will prevent inmates from being providing better mental health able to benefit from these new and addiction treatment,” he policies, Markey said. told NACo members. “This discriminatory federal Tonko said 60 percent of indi- practice must end,” he said. viduals in incarceration centers Markey is working to rein- have a diagnosable substance troduce the Equity and Pretrial use problem and most are un- Medicaid Coverage Act which able to access quality addiction allows Medicaid benefits to be treatment behind bars. accessed by individuals who are “We know that when these in custody awaiting disposition individuals are released un- of charges. treated, they’re 129 times more “Currently, individuals who likely to die of an overdose in have been arrested and are able the first two weeks post-release to post bail maintain Medicaid compared to the general popu- coverage, while those who re- lation,” he said. main in custody can lose it de- Meanwhile, Dr. Emily Wang, a spite not having been convicted professor of Medicine and Pub- St. Charles Parish, La. Sheriff Greg Champagne discusses the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy. Partnerships key for COVID-19 housing help by Rachel Looker dents session March 26. two months, we still are in a magnified to an intensity that staff writer There is an enormous very serious position in terms we have not seen before,” she amount of back rent owed of the number of people at said. Counties are utilizing col- across the country that is risk,” McKay said. McKay said eviction mora- laborations and partnerships greater than the amount of financial information from be- She added that many peo- toria are incredibly important when trying to solve housing rental assistance available, fore the pandemic hit. ple are concerned about how in aiding individuals who are insecurity challenges during according to the Aspen Insti- According to the research, they will pay next month’s facing housing insecurity. the COVID-19 pandemic. tute’s Senior Program Manag- about 20 million people cur- rent, specifically families with “By one estimate, the evic- Local officials highlight- er Katherine Lucas McKay. rently live in households that children and communities of tion moratorium that the CDC ed best practices and county McKay highlighted her work are behind on rent. color. implemented last fall saved solutions when it comes to with the COVID-19 Eviction “Even though the economy “It’s really getting to be a about 10,000 lives so making housing during NACo’s Hous- Defense Project, which devel- has begun to improve since problem that reflects the exact sure that people are able to ing and COVID-19: Mobilizing oped an eviction risk estimate the vaccine rollout really has same housing disparities we Resources to Support Resi- based on census surveys and kicked into speed in the last saw before the crisis that just See HOUSING page 8 8 APRIL 12, 2021 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS The road to rebuild Counties turn to partnerships to create safety nets From FAST ACT page 6 From HOUSING page 7 little bit and do things like our tenants in Mono Coun- operations manager for implement negotiations with ty were going to have trouble Health and Human Services, gives flexibility and certainty to stay in their homes is critical,” landlords, allow for things like paying rent because of the said the county provided near- have a flow of funds that allows she said. tenants to move and use some lack of business due to tour- ly $2.8 million in CARES Act us to do bigger projects,” she “Plus, making sure that they of their rental assistance to ism being shut down basically funding for rent and utility as- said. “I think that’s going to be are also able to resolve the rent actually cover those costs of throughout the state,” she said. sistance and committed more where you see, in the broader challenges as they stay in their moving,” she said. The county turned to part- than $7 million in FEMA funds sense, where the bipartisanship homes is also critical. One Mono County, Calif. Su- nerships to form collabora- to support homeless individu- may break down, because I think does not really work without pervisor Jennifer Kreitz said tions and create safety nets als including utilizing a hotel they’re planning to raise all kinds the other.” when the state shut down last for tenants including working designated for homeless indi- of taxes to pay for this. That’s a Key actions need to be taken March, the county was quick with a nonprofit partner. viduals over the age of 60 with red flag for us, and for me.” to address the growing pay- to enact an eviction morato- In Mecklenburg County, underlying health conditions. Graves stressed that stream- ment issues and the challeng- rium for residential and com- N.C., officials also turned to At the site, staff worked to lining the permitting processes es that arise when landlords mercial tenants. local partnerships. connect individuals to perma- would help speed projects and refuse to participate in certain “We knew right away that Robert Nesbit, policy and nent housing, employment, limit budget overruns assistance programs, she said. substance use and mental DeFazio said current bond in- Future stabilization is key, health services. terest rates were low enough to she noted, adding that a num- “It shows the web of services take a dent out of the costs, but ber of programs have started that are needed to really help years of neglect have added up to provide funding for a few support people at all sorts of for too long. months’ rent moving forward. different experiences with “We have lived too long off the “Rental assistance programs homelessness and housing in- legacy of Dwight David Eisen- that only pay that back rent stability,” he said. hower. What he did to knit the without ensuring that peo- He highlighted the import- country together was incredi- ple have the capacity to pay ant role partnerships played. ble, post-World War II, made rent going forward sometimes “We’ve relied on close col- us the envy of the world. Now solve a problem without solv- laborations with an array of it’s fallen apart,” he said. “Forty ing the full problem,” she said. community partners,” he said, percent of the nation’s highway The American Rescue Plan “so it’s critical that you iden- system needs to be rebuilt from included an additional $23 bil- tify trusted partners who can the roadbed up. You can’t just lion in rental assistance. help you reach the most peo- slap another layer of asphalt on “This is an opportunity to Aspen Institute’s Senior Program Manager Katherine Lucas McK- ple as quickly and easily as it.” kind of revamp programs a ay: Twenty million people living in households behind on rent. possible.”

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TOURISM BOOM STRESSES GATEWAY COUNTIES

by Charlie Ban senior writer

Perhaps new visitors to pub- lic lands didn’t see the “take only memories, leave only footprints” signs last summer San Miguel County, Colo. Commissioner Hilary Cooper says meetings with regional partners helped mitigate an influx of visitors. because so many other hikers were blocking them. vistas, all of those things that Gunnison County also A record year for public lands bring people here. brought federal land manag- visits during the COVID-19 “This overuse will continue… ers and tourism officials into pandemic has prompted mem- with this ‘Zoomtown’ phe- the decision-making and pub- bers in NACo’s Resorts, Tour- nomenon. We need to figure lic-messaging process. ism and Gateways Working out how to harness this indus- Blaine County, Idaho, which Group to think about how the try that sustains us to protect also saw visitors as a liability, visitors who keep their econo- our community and our work- draws skiers during the win- mies running can also be a li- force.” ter to Sun Valley, but that also ability. Not too far south of Eagle means early penetration by “We just saw people flood County, Gunnison County, COVID carriers, and the county in,” said Eagle County, Colo. Colo. has been relying on its saw its first community spread Commissioner Kathy Chan- Sustainable Tourism & Out- on March 13. dler-Henry. “We just saw such door Recreation (STOR) Com- The county and mayors cre- Eagle County, Colo. Commissioner Kathy Chandler-Henry talks tremendous overuse” as re- mittee to help mitigate some of ated rules for visitors, includ- about the recreation industry’s impact on her county. mote work options allowed the problems associated with ing a mask mandate, dubbed people to migrate west, tempo- outside visitors. The committee “Mindful in the Mountains.” telling them ‘No you can’t,’ tension among locals, visitors rarily. gathers a wide range of public “I thought it was a good way when we really didn’t have and second homeowners. “We saw piles of human and private, educational and for people to know what the any proof that anything was “I think we’re still struggling waste, some people living in commercial stakeholders from rules were when they came happening here to begin with,” with that,” said Supervisor Sta- dispersed camping [outside throughout the community to here, so we wouldn’t have any Greenberg said. cy Corless. “Our forest supervi- of a designated campground] address recreational issues and outside visitors unduly affect- San Miguel County, Colo. sor wanted to close down the that wasn’t supposed to be dis- coordinate volunteer efforts. ing our local population,” said gathered its communities and forest, and where some peo- persed camping, we saw them “When COVID hit, the work Commissioner Jacob Green- regional partners — counties ple live, they couldn’t go more on private lands, a lot of con- and cohesion of the group berg. and their health directors — than a quarter mile from their cerns about wildlife impacts,” allowed us to have a pretty “We had a bunch of groups together in what started out as front doors. she said. nimble response,” said Com- here for out of town and boy, a weekly “cocktail hour,” but it “From the start, every week it Noting that she had heard missioner Jonathan Houck. “It this thing just blew up like actually turned into a very ac- seemed like there was another public lands counties charac- was put in place well before wildfire. It wasn’t like your tive, effective and coordinated recreation issue that was just terized as benefitting econom- COVID, but it was really key to neighbor got it and another group,” said Commissioner punching us in the face.” ically only in its extraction in- how we’ve been able to deal neighbor got it, this was like no, Hilary Cooper. Working though Gateway dustries like mining or drilling, with the pandemic.” it’s all here, all at once. “Four of our counties share Counties of Yosemite Nation- perhaps that perspective may But some of the pandem- Incomplete understanding high alpine pass roads and as al Park, the affected counties also apply to tourism. ic’s challenges to Gunnison of COVID-19’s long incuba- we saw spring wind down and were able to navigate the tricky “This led us to start think- County fell outside of the STOR tion period made the first few recognized that we were going balance of state restrictions, ing about outdoor recreation committee’s bailiwick, because weeks of the pandemic even to have to open those up… we pressure from the Department and tourism as an extractive the number of outside visi- more fraught, at a time in the anticipated we were going to of Interior to open the park and industry,” she said. “For us, tors helped drive the county’s winter when people were liable have significant traffic and we lodging and hospitality busi- our industry is tourism and COVID infection rate to third to gather indoors and be conta- were able to coordinate with nesses that needed travelers to recreation, it’s not typically an in the state. The county banned gious before they had cause for our federal agencies, put sig- stay afloat. industry that’s been associat- second homeowners and tour- concern. nage together and coordinate “Our park superintendent ed with impact funds. I think ists from visiting. “Maybe we could have put in communication. We were able worked hard to stave off the we need to rethink how we’re “It was controversial, it was some restrictions sooner, but to do that because we were al- opening until we could coor- going to preserve our econo- a hard thing to do, but we did I don’t know how that could ready meeting once a week and dinate with the state of Cali- my which is based on clean air, it because it was the best way have prevented 100-some odd we had that trust built and that fornia and advocate for limited clean water, preservation of the to protect the county,” Houck people coming in from out of communication built.” lodging opening,” Corless said. environment, wildlife, scenic said. state for an event like that and Mono County, Calif. also saw “That was a big success.” 10 APRIL 12, 2021 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS

NACo swag GET TO Wayne County, Ill. is now available KNOW... finally! online! naco.org/store Welcome, Wayne County, Ill. economic force for Wayne County is located in Wayne County the southeast portion of Illinois after local known as “Little Egypt,” a nick- leaders lobbied name that dates to 1799. The for the southern 715-square-mile county was extension of the Baltimore created in 1819 and now has a and Ohio railroad to pass population around 16,700. Its through the county. The route county seat is Fairfield. was established 10 blocks The county is named after west of the county seat. General “Mad Anthony” Wayne, The county is home to who served as an officer in Frey Farms, the largest the Revolutionary War and the grower of pumpkins in the Northwest Indian War. His nick- United States. name refers to his fiery person- ality and military exploits during “Get to Know” features new the American Revolution. NACo member counties. In 1886, a fire destroyed a two-story, brick “fire-proof” building constructed with the intention to keep county records safe. The fire, a suspected arson case, destroyed criminal, civil, tax and land records that documented the early years of the county. The railroad served as a main

COUNTIES MATTER

Learn more NACo.org/ncgm #NCGM COUNTY NEWS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES APRIL 12, 2021 11

Participants from the 2018 Blue Earth County, Minn. Citizens Academy learn about how road signs are constructed. Photo courtesy of Blue Earth County, Minn.

by Rachel Looker property and environmen- tunity to educate the commu- Also in Minnesota, Henne- staff writer tal resources department, nity is truly a great opportunity pin County created a similar public works and sheriff’s for staff and leaders as program called the Hennepin Class is in session and it’s office. well,” she said. “I think it County Academy. It launched time to turn your book to the An academy favorite benefits the community, in 2011 to teach county resi- page all about county govern- is when participants but I think it also benefits dents how local government ments. tour county buildings the leaders of our organi- works through evening classes. Counties are launching and facilities making stops at zation.” Over the course of eight ses- academies to teach residents the county landfill, historic to retired residents who want Individuals who complete sions, participants learn about about how county government courthouse, justice center or to become more involved in the program receive a certifi- property assessing, community operates and the role local library. the community. cate of completion, a lapel pin works, health and medical ser- leaders play in communities. The Citizens Academy is Blue Earth County recently and the opportunity to attend a vices, community corrections, Blue Earth County, Minn. held once per week for seven launched a comparable acad- county board meeting to meet human services, the court sys- launched its Citizens Academy weeks with each three-hour emy program that is offered to with commissioners. tem, transportation, emergen- in 2009 to provide a behind- meeting held in the evenings. county employees called the “I think that maybe the gen- cy management, elections and the-scenes look at the func- The academy is limited to 20 County Ambassador Program. eral public doesn’t have a good the county administration. tions of county government. participants per year to create “It’s a chance to almost understanding of what county “What we want to do is make Communications Manager more of an intimate setting. cross-train some staff so when government does to serve the sure they come away with what and Business Analyst Jessica “We hope that the partici- a human services front desk community and so we hope the functions are of the county Anderson said participants pants who complete the pro- staffer gets a question about a that by educating 20 partici- and we want them to meet with learn from department heads gram are ambassadors for the building permit and they went pants a year, then they learned leadership with the county,” about how county employees county,” Anderson said. through the program, they’re something and then they teach Hennepin County Special Proj- perform their jobs and how The free program is open like, ‘I know how to direct their friends and family and ects Coordinator Diana Hous- each department serves the for those 18 and older who are that,’” she said. it kind of trickles out into the ton said. community through different Blue Earth County residents, The Citizens Academy is now community from their partici- Houston said the program sessions. although Anderson said there held every other year with the pation,” Anderson said. was initiated by a former com- A majority of the classes fo- may be exceptions if someone County Ambassador Program The county did not hold missioner who discovered that cus on exterior-facing depart- is new to the area but may not held in the off year for staff its Citizen Academy in 2020 many people in the community ments such as the library, jail, live in the county. The program members. because of COVID-19 and is were unaware of her role. “She attorney’s office, county -ad has seen a wide variety of par- “From a leadership perspec- determining plans for this up- ministration, human services, ticipants from college students tive, just being given the oppor- coming year. See ACADEMY page 16 12 APRIL 12, 2021 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS Q&A: iCIVICS’ LOUISE DUBÉ HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR CIVIC EDUCATION

by Rachel Looker staff writer

When Boone County, Ky. Judge/Executive Gary Moore began his NACo presidency last summer, he announced that his presidential priority of the LEAD Initiative would fo- cus on the core themes of lead- ership, education, action and development. NACo President Gary Moore, judge/executive Boone County, Ky. in conversation with iCivics Executive Director Louise Dubé. With counties playing a role in encouraging civic education and engagement in schools and communities, NACo has been partnering with iCivics, an organization founded by retired Supreme Court Justice ally unfortunate. I really be- racy is really challenged right American history and civics in- Sandra Day O’Connor. iCiv- lieve that there’s an enormous now and yet we can’t agree on tegrated together for depth, for ics provides civic education amount of common ground what to teach. What we need is preparation, for local leaders to resources for educators and between people if we can teach to come up with this new guid- take up and implement in their county officials. folks the skills and disposition ance to try to find those points school districts even directly “I believe county leaders can to actually find that common of ‘What does it take to have with educators. This is a very play a critical role in embracing institutions and engagement ground because that is the ba- students become proficient at simple document that asks a civility and enriching the pub- in public service? sis of our system. knowledge and at skills and set of questions and those ques- lic’s understanding of county DUBÉ: That is such an im- disposition for this new world?’ tions are hard. That is the kind government,” Moore said. portant question. The idea in MOORE: Tell me more about From that, our goals are really of thinking we want students to Moore discussed the impor- our experiment in self-govern- iCivics’ Educating for Ameri- to have 60 million students have do which is in-depth, look at the tance of civic engagement in ment in America, which is the can Democracy Project. What the opportunity for high quality history, look at the perspectives communities with iCivics Ex- oldest such experiment in the is the purpose of the project civic learning and then 100,000 that it’s taking and then become ecutive Director Louise Dubé world, is really to solve prob- and how do you envision work- schools be civic ready. That is ready to help us lead our coun- during NACo’s 2021 Virtual lems. In order to solve prob- ing with counties to advance all work that gets done at the ties in the future. Legislative Conference. lems from the smallest local its goal? local level, in some cases with problems to the larger national DUBÉ: About 300 scholars the help of states, but really it For more information, vis- MOORE: Could you please problems, you need to be able and educators got together and has to be a priority for the local it https://www.educatingfo- explain iCivics and your mis- to work across differences. As said, all right, we have this prob- leaders. Educating for Ameri- ramericandemocracy.org and sion? many of my colleagues say, dis- lem that our country is polar- can Democracy is a roadmap https://www.naco.org/coun- DUBÉ: We at iCivics create agreement in a constitutional ized, our constitutional democ- for the future — how to teach ties/icivics. nonpartisan, free materials to democracy is not a bug, it’s a ensure that we can reach ex- feature. You will have to resolve cellence in civic education. problems with people you dis- Our goal is really to build civ- agree with. Those skills are the EDUCATING FOR AMERICAN DEMOCRACY WEBINAR ic strength and just prepare skills that civic education can students for their role in our impart. You’re invited to a webinar on “Educating for American Democ- civic life. We’ve done that over the course of the last decade MOORE: What do you think racy” on Wednesday, April 14, from 2-3 p.m. ET. Join NACo and by creating materials that are are the greatest challenges available digitally from our site to embracing civic education Adam Seagrave of the Arizona State University Center for Political icivics.org. We are known for 20 and how can we overcome games. We put students right in some of these conflicts? Thought and Leadership for a session on civic education and civil the middle of the action where DUBÉ: The real issue is the they are experiencing what it’s level of intense polarization discourse in American Constitutional democracy today. like to be a civic leader. Addi- in our country now means tionally, we have hundreds of that we don’t agree on what to Learn more about ASU’s Educating for American Democracy project and learn how lesson plans that are available teach. When we don’t agree on to teachers. what to teach, then we don’t county leaders can advance civic education and discourse at the local level. teach it. When we don’t teach For more information, contact Alana Hurley at: [email protected] or call MOORE: How can civic ed- it, we don’t practice it. It’s kind 202.350.2296. ucation lead to greater par- of a vicious circle that we see ticipation in our democratic in summation and that’s re- COUNTY NEWS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES APRIL 12, 2021 13 WHY THE ARTS MATTER TO COUNTIES (NOW MORE THAN EVER!)

by Jay H. Dick what they saw and had to do to history. county. Remember, the stronger save lives and to keep the rest of There are more than 5 million your arts scene, the more tax Traditionally when Ameri- us safe. I would encourage you people employed in the creative revenue your county will reap. cans for the Arts writes articles to check out FirstResponder- economy in America. The arts, Three, consider using Commu- for County News, we focus on sArts.org to learn more. along with tourism and restau- nity Development Block Grants the statistics: The number of Beyond first responders and rants are some of the hardest hit (CDBG) for arts related projects. arts jobs (5.2 million), econom- essential workers, many of us industries as a result of the pan- Fourth, designate some of your ic impact ($920 billion in 2019), were confined to our homes demic. Even after incredible fed- county’s Recovery and Relief gross domestic impact (4.3 per- with limited personal inter- eral, state and county assistance, funds to support the arts, as the cent of the economy, more than actions. During this time, we 27 percent of musicians are still quicker they can recover, so does construction, transportation or listened to music, we read, we unemployed, along with 52 per- your county’s economy. Lastly, agriculture), etc. While these danced, we watched movies cent of actors and 55 percent of don’t forget that USDA Rural De- numbers are probably even and TV. We learned new hob- dancers. velopment funds can be used to more important today given the bies such as cooking, playing Every county in America, large support the arts. effects of the pandemic on our an instrument, painting, writing or small, urban or rural, has the With the vaccinations under- economy, this article is going to or whatever called out to us. It arts as part of its collective expe- way, the creative economy is focus on a more basic question: was the arts that helped keep rience. Artists live everywhere ready to help get our economy Why do the arts matter? us emotionally healthy. (Search and their work seeks to engage back on track by getting people If you ask 100 people this “balcony concerts” on YouTube their fellow humans to ask ques- safely out of their homes, spend- question, you will most likely to see some great examples of tions, to look at a topic in a new ing money, interacting with oth- get 100 different answers, but people using the arts as a coping way, to foster dialogue or to ers and helping us to return to a each of these answers will be mechanism during the height of bring people together. As county sense of normalcy. authentic and personal to that the pandemic.) leaders, it is up to you to recog- The arts will continue to work responder. This is what makes Then the summer of protests nize the value that the arts bring overtime in every community, the arts so powerful and diverse. arrived on top of the pandemic. to your county, to encourage it, household and family, doing As we struggle each day with the We learned the names of George to highlight it and to even help what they do best: Connecting pandemic and fight harder for Floyd, Breonna Taylor and so support it. The arts will always us, giving us needed moments racial equity, we are grateful that many more. Again, the arts be there to be part of our nation’s of joy, and most of all creating the arts are there to support us. played a role in how the country narrative, we just need to listen hope. As your county’s first respond- saw race and called for justice. and to act. ers battled the ravages of the Songs were written, poetry too. As county leaders, take time Jay H. Dick is the senior director pandemic, the arts were there to People of all ages made posters to understand your county’s arts of State and Local Government bring them peace, to allow them and signs and then marched. assets. You will be surprised with Affairs at Americans for the Arts to express their feelings, vent Murals were painted, large and how many artists and arts orga- and a member of the NACo Arts their frustrations and to help small. The arts were there to tell nizations exist. Two, dedicate and Culture Commission. You them to emotionally cope with the stories and record them for funds to support the arts in your can reach him at: [email protected]. 14 APRIL 12, 2021 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS PANDEMIC PIVOT ALLOWS FOR EASIER ACCESS TO COUNTY MEETINGS by Charlie Ban senior writer

County meetings are an en- durance event. Elected officials and staff members have grown accus- tomed to the rigors of showing the county’s work and adapted to refine their routines. To the uninitiated, particularly mem- bers of the public who want to voice concerns to their leaders, extensive agendas are a barrier to entry. So are meeting times that often conflict with the workday, and long drives to the courthouse. When social distancing re- quirements meant limiting in-person action, public meet- ings went the way of so many workdays — online. And while many complain about the undulating waves of “Zoom fatigue,” counties report that they’ve seen more frequent and more constructive public interaction and civic engage- ment on their remote meet- bly needed to get done— mak- some people have been wist- subjects of popular interest, ful that even when we return to ings. For some, holding steady ing dinner, helping kids with ful for face-to-face interaction such as oil and gas exploration in-person fully, we’ll have vir- counts for success, too. homework,” said Brynn Grim- and the chance to look Coun- in the county, but that was a tual components,” Hatlestad “We have seen a significant ley, communications manager cil members in the eye while deviation. said. “We’re reaching a bigger increase in attendees – mem- for the Pierce County Council. speaking. They will probably “As much as possible, we portion of the population, but bers of the public and coun- “On some items, we can have get their chance when the tried to be in person,” said it’s also a morale issue for the ty employees,” said Barbara two hours of public testimo- county migrates part way back Public Information Officer Luc staff. Given how much work we Byrum, Ingham County, Mich. ny, so it’s a real investment for and holds hybrid meetings. Hatlestad. “But we found over put into it all, it’s important to clerk. “A lot of that is because someone to stick around all “As far as functionality goes, and over again that even if you not see that go to an empty au- it is so easy for those who have night — some of our meetings we didn’t notice anything promote it, prepare for a whole dience.” the ability to access the tech- start at 3 p.m. and can last until missing in terms of getting tes- bunch of people to show up, In response to a wider poten- nology to jump on a Zoom call. 9 p.m.” timony and allowing people to the truth is not that many peo- tial audience, county staff have And now we’re a year into the One meeting last November, be heard,” Grimley said. “We’ve ple show up to public events. rethought their slides and pre- pandemic and Zoom is com- when the Council was debating worried that it could be pro- If they do, they’re usually the sentation materials to be more mon now.” disbanding a joint health de- hibitive for older residents who same people. accessible and viewer-friendly. For Byrum, who serves as partment with the city of Taco- might not be as tech savvy.” “We just weren’t reaching “We’ve cleaned up the ‘in- clerk to the Board of Commis- ma, drew 372 attendees, many The Council employs a that many citizens.” side baseball’ stuff to be easier sioners, it’s a combination of of whom spoke on the item. meeting operator who trou- That changed with the pan- for citizens to grasp,” Hatlestad convenience and simplicity. Pierce County used some bleshoots people’s interactions demic. Quarterly district meet- said. “At this point, because we CARES Act funding to finance as they view and comment on ings for the five commissioners Though Pierce County has have embraced Zoom, we not some renovations to its Coun- meetings. Her effectiveness drew between 10 and 20 resi- not tracked its attendee demo- only can allow anyone with In- cil chambers to integrate has earned her, and the county, dents. With 15 of the 20 meet- graphics, Grimley has noticed ternet access to watch a meet- broadcast equipment. some public goodwill. ings complete, the low mark for a number of features that lead ing, but they can do it from “We pretty much knew right “She has a wonderful deco- attendance has been around her to believe the video Coun- their home.” away once we got it going and rum dealing with the public, 250, with the most popular cil meetings are drawing a In Pierce County, Wash., it was successful, we knew we she’s very kind and patient,” meetings drawing nearly 1,300. younger crowd. remote meetings allow resi- weren’t going back to in-per- Grimley said. “Twitter blew up County-wide information “Just from the sound of their dents to pick and choose when son meetings only,” Grimley about how she was a saint, she meetings have topped 23,000 voices, some of them reference they’re tuning in. said. “We’ve opened this door earned a fan club.” people on them, with a total their age, some on Twitter use “The public could be part of and it’s been wonderful, why Arapahoe County, Colo. did of more than 166,000 viewers photos that would lead some the meeting, but still be doing not keep doing it?’ some video meetings before over the past year. things at home that they proba- She acknowledges that the pandemic, typically for “These have been so success- See PIVOT page 16 COUNTY NEWS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES APRIL 12, 2021 15

Bernalillo County, N.M. Clerk Linda Stover visits classrooms before the COVID-19 pandemic to teach students about county government through the About My County Ac- tivity Book. Photo courtesy of Bernalillo County

down to their level,” she said. we take enough for each student, ACTIVITY BOOK The book is geared to students but we take a teacher’s edition, in third to fifth grade. too,” she said. In helping Stover bring her Albuquerque Public Schools INTRODUCES STUDENTS idea to life, Chamblee designed incorporated the activity book the pages to be age appropri- into their curriculum for all ate and get the message across fourth graders which includes TO COUNTY GOVERNMENT about the functions of county over 6,500 students in 91 ele- by Rachel Looker educational standards in New serves as the county mascot, government. mentary schools. staff writer Mexico include civic require- guides students in the activity One page covers emergency “I just think it’s been a real in- ments, they focus on learning book through games, illustra- communications and focuses on formative thing,” Stover said. “If In Bernalillo County, N.M., about state and national govern- tions, coloring prompts, fun facts the kind of information to share you can get a real basic under- Clerk Linda Stover was on a ments. and puzzles. when making a 911 call. standing of your local govern- mission when elected to office “They knew who the president Stover came up with the idea “We try to get at a mindset of ment, then you can go on to state to promote civic education in was, they knew some of that to use Bitmojis (cartoon versions a fourth and fifth grader so we and higher government.” schools throughout the county. stuff, but their local stuff which of people) to represent the peo- had to use smaller language and Stover said she believes the When attending a past NACo is their backyard stuff, these little ple working for Bernalillo Coun- smaller words and draw pictures activity book has improved civ- conference, Stover learned kids had no idea,” she said. ty. because I wanted them to un- ic engagement throughout the about the iCivics program and The goals of the About My “The hard part was convinc- derstand it,” Stover said. county. the My County Works Activity County Activity Book are to in- ing these directors to get one Stover visited several schools “I would encourage anybody Book for elementary students. spire students to become pub- [an emoji],” she said. “I wanted during a book tour before the … not just necessarily county She knew she wanted to take the lic servants and elected officials something that would hold a pandemic hit to share the ac- clerks, anybody who wants to concept home and make it her and educate students about the child’s interest.” tivity book with students and is get engaged within the school, own. services Bernalillo County of- Communication Services hoping to return to classrooms I think they’re really hungry for Stover spearheaded the cre- fers. Coordinator Tiffany Chamblee this fall. an education on what happens ation of the About My County Stover talked with directors played a key role in the design of “I carry these little books into with the political process in their Activity Book which is designed about their divisions and gath- the book. the schools and I take colored county with their county govern- to introduce students to the ered information to incorporate Chamblee explained that she pencils and we just go through it ment,” she said. Bernalillo County government into the book which describes has a broad knowledge of the and have a ball,” she said. Counties throughout the state structure. The book is based on the county, districts, commis- county because she’s worked During her classroom visits, are also working to create their the My County Works Activity sioners, the treasurer, asses- in various departments, which Stover said she was approached own activity books based off Sto- Book with information specific sor, court of wills, estates and helped her streamline the book’s by some teachers who told her ver’s work. to the Bernalillo County govern- probate, sheriff’s department, language to be understandable that there was information in “Civics has just kind of disap- ment. county manager’s office, fire- de for children. the book they did not know. In peared from our school system While visiting schools after partment, animal care services, “County government and civ- response, Stover made a teach- and I think that’s a shame so being elected county clerk, Sto- community services division, ics can be very confusing and so er’s edition of the activity book, anything we can do in Bernalillo ver said she found students had senior and social services and I wanted to simplify it as much as which includes the answers to County to bring it to the forefront no civic classes on local govern- housing, among others. possible using illustrations and the prompts and puzzles. and share it, we’re going to do,” ment. While the social studies “Bernco Bernie,” a sheep who learning techniques to bring it “Now when we go into a class, she said. 16 APRIL 12, 2021 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS ‘These individuals become ambassadors for the county’ PROFILES IN SERVICE CLAY WALKER NACo Board Member Mayor Denali Borough, Alaska

Number of years active in NACo: 10 Walker

Years in public service: 15 Every morning I read: Emails Occupation: Full time mayor/ and an array of state and nation- chief executive al news. Education: Bachelor’s degree My favorite meal is: Alaskan in Geography, Master of Public surf and turf (grilled salmon and Administration degree in prog- moose steak.) ress. My pet peeve is: Whining Participants from the 2018 Blue Earth County, Minn. Citizens Academy stand on the steps of the coun- ty courthouse with county commissioners holding their certificates for completing the academy. Photo The hardest thing I’ve ever and placing blame rather than courtesy of Blue Earth County, Minn. done: Say goodbye to good seeking solutions. From ACADEMY page 11 said. positive experiences with the friends and dogs. My motto is: “Work hard, work The series is free for those program. Three people (living or smart, work together.” felt like this would be a great who are 18 and older and regis- Those who participate in dead) I’d invite to dinner: The last book I read was: program for us to initiate at a ter for the academy, which typ- the academy are in an alum- Alfred Hulse Brooks, John Denali’s Howl: The Deadliest county-wide level to engage ically hosts 35 to 40 individuals ni group which Houston said McPhee and David Letterman Climbing Disaster on America’s with the community and then per group. she often refers to when seek- A dream I have is to: My Wildest Peak by Andy Hall offer them an understanding “We want to have a real- ing engagement for advisory dreams revolve around new of what the county does,” she ly broad cross-section of the boards or county studies. My favorite movie is: The family trips, hikes and hunts. said. county [participate] and we “These individuals become Princess Bride The academy also provides usually end up with a nice ambassadors for the county You’d be surprised to learn: My favorite music is: tours of county facilities. number assortment across and for their community and I took up whitewater rafting this Sometimes funk, sometimes alt “What’s really special is they all of our commissioners’ dis- you can’t put a price on the year — old dogs can learn new country tricks. have the opportunity to go be- tricts,” she said. time or the effort that goes My favorite U.S. president hind the scenes, to tour areas of Houston said she’s heard into this — so then people are The most adventurous is: Thomas Jefferson the building and functions the from members of the acade- sharing their knowledge and thing I’ve ever done: Setting general public do not get the my who have referred other it spreads and spreads and out alone into unknown lands on My borough is a NACo advantages of seeing,” Houston individuals by sharing their spreads,” she said. several continents. member because: NACo’s support and advocacy brings My favorite way to relax is: great value back to Denali ‘I don’t believe it’s issue driven...it’s accessibility’ Watch my favorite sports teams Borough. NACo helps strengthen play ball. all of America’s counties — even From PIVOT page 14 certain development projects meetings. Byrum is hoping the drew more public participation Legislature amends the Open I’m most proud of: My wife those in the middle of Alaska! one to believe they’re younger,” than usual, most likely due to Meetings Act to allow more and three kids and the good life she said. “Those are folks who the availability of telephone flexibility. Various states have we have built together. more than likely wouldn’t have and email comments during similar requirements for what shown up to a council meeting live meetings.” must be done in person, many before.” As for Ingham County’s of which are facing the sunset Roanoke County, Va. has meetings in Michigan, howev- of their own emergency excep- been holding meetings in per- er, Byrum thinks the new way tions during the pandemic. A person son, but had been broadcast- is going to be the best option Many counties can pivot I’d invite ing them for years before the for continuing to grow public back to what some, like Ro- pandemic, allowing for an easy participation in county gov- anoke, are already doing — to dinner: transition. Meetings include ernment. “I don’t believe it’s gathering officials in the same David Letterman a 10-minute window for ad- issue-driven at all, I believe room and continuing to broad- ditional comments via email, it’s the accessibility,” she said, cast online and accept testimo- but Public Information Officer about the surge. “You don’t ny on the phone or via email. Gray Craig said while the coun- have to get someone to watch That doesn’t entice Byrum. ty hasn’t seen a boom in pub- your kids while you drive to The Ingham County Com- lic participation, the broadcast Lansing or sit around for a few mission’s meeting room is has been enough to keep levels hours. It’s just so much easier woefully inadequate for the au- steady. now.” dio needs for broadcast, Byrum “That’s a win for us, not losing Time is running out in Mich- said, making it hard to identify audience,” he said. “While the igan, because of Gov. Gretchen the speaker, and quotes to ad- number of in-person and email Whitmer’s (D) temporary sus- just the room’s acoustics to fix comments have remained pension of a requirement that that are beyond the county’s steady throughout the year, governments hold in-person budget. COUNTY NEWS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES APRIL 12, 2021 17

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PROTECTING THE WORLD’S WATER 18 APRIL 12, 2021 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NATION

CALIFORNIA state health department, WUSF Supervisors in SAN DIEGO reported. The program targets COUNTY recently approved seniors who are unable to ac- a program to create job op- cess public sites to receive a portunities for county youth vaccine. during the pandemic. The Youth Environmental/Recre- ILLINOIS ational Corp. provides career ● The Department of Health readiness, workforce develop- in COOK COUNTY has de- ment and mentorship for youth ployed mobile COVID-19 vac- between the ages of 16 and 24, cination teams to suburban KUSI-TV reported. Through the areas of the county. The depart- program, low-income youth ment launched the pilot pro- will have paid employment op- gram to prioritize organizations portunities in county depart- serving those 65 years and old- ments. The jobs will focus on er, vulnerable populations in “green” careers. congregate settings and essen- tial employees who have limit- ed access to care, according to WMAQ-TV (NBC Chicago). MARYLAND ● MONTGOMERY COUNTY Parks and Recreation Department has opened the “Facets of Hope” ● The LAKE COUNTY board COVID-19 memorial. The art installation includes more than 1,400 strands of chandelier crystals. recently approved a 4-cent The crystals each represent one county resident who died from the virus. The memorial is open per gallon fuel tax. The tax through September. Photo courtesy of Montgomery Parks will generate $8 million to $11 million per year and the money collected will be used for unfunded road released a vaccine equity plan MASSACHUSETTS projects, the Daily Herald to incorporate African Ameri- MIDDLESEX COUNTY District At- reported. Board members can and Hispanic churches into torney Marian Ryan is asking children debated the tax with some the vaccination process. The throughout the county to help name FLORIDA raising concerns that the timing plan aims to reduce the spread the office’s new “comfort dog.” The ● The Property Appraiser’s is wrong to increase taxes while of COVID-19 among vulnerable male black Labrador retriever is Office in BROWARD COUNTY many are struggling during the populations and communities joining the office this month and will has launched the Owner Alert COVID-19 pandemic. of color, WBAL-TV reported. work with employees and individuals system to help property own- The partnership between the throughout the county. Submis- ers avoid scams. The system IOWA health department and local sions can be made online is in response to an uptick in A new program in LINN medical organizations allows or by mail. The winner of property fraud. Property own- COUNTY is aiming to bring older members of churches to the contest will receive an ers who register will receive back more greenery after last receive vaccines. in-person, COVID-safe visit notifications if someone has year’s derecho, or strong wind- from the puppy. filed a deed on their property storm, caused the county to Photo courtesy of Middlesex or tries to change ownership on lose 70 percent of its tree cano- County District Attorney’s Office their property, WTVJ-TV (NBC py. TheTree Equity program is 6) reported. More than 12,000 focusing on restoring the can- property owners in the county opy and Sustainability Man- develop literacy skills in- for county employees from have registered for the free alert ager Tamara Marcus told cluding speaking, listen- $15 to $20 per hour. It increases system. KWWL-TV that trees are ing and communicating. earnings for full-time employ- being replanted in equitable Participants can keep a log ees by nearly $10,000 per year ● A new program in HILLS- ways to prevent pockets of of the number of books they and impacts more than 400 BOROUGH COUNTY is deliv- tree-less neighborhoods in the read and collect special stickers employees. The last minimum ering COVID-19 vaccines di- future. The program involves for every 100 books read and a wage increase for employees rectly to underserved seniors. partnerships with 11 commu- completion prize after reaching was five years ago. The county is holding pop-up nity organizations. All trees re- ● The BALTIMORE COUNTY 1,000 books. clinics at senior communities planted through the program Public Library has launched NEBRASKA as part of the Targeted Vaccine are native to Iowa. the 1,000 Books Before Kin- MINNESOTA With a new and improved Area Initiative. The initiative dergarten reading program to Commissioners in HEN- jail due to open in 2022, SARPY is in collaboration with the MARYLAND encourage parents to read to NEPIN COUNTY recently ap- COUNTY is thinking ahead county aging services, office of ● The health department in children from birth to age 5. proved a measure that raises to improve inmates’ access to emergency management and ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY has Early reading helps children the hourly minimum wage mental health care. That will COUNTY NEWS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES APRIL 12, 2021 19

MICHIGAN stay safe during the pandemic, must rely on state-run health SAGINAW COUNTY Programmer/Analyst Pam Pelkki which they will in turn distrib- districts. Both counties told has received recognition from commissioners for receiv- ute to their networks. WTOP News that their own ing the Best IT Project Award 2020 from the state of Mich- health departments would al- igan for the blood search warrant solutions project she ● The WILLIAMSON COUN- low them to be more respon- developed. The project allows law enforcement officials TY Public Library is holding a sive to their residents’ needs to electronically request blood search warrants from drawing to encourage residents and would remove bureaucra- county judges, improving the workflow for law enforce- to become new cardholders, cy and more stable recruitment ment and judicial courts. Pelkki worked with more than the Williamson Herald report- and retention efforts. Neigh- 350 law enforcement officials and trained all county judg- ed. Residents who sign up for a boring FAIRFAX and ARLING- es to register with the system. Photo courtesy of Saginaw County card by the end of May are eligi- TON counties also have coun- ble to win one of two gift cards ty-run health departments. or a video game system. WISCONSIN start with a program that will be then issue certificates of occu- gate the human services system VIRGINIA After a hiatus early in the the state’s first forensic psychi- pancy upon completion. Soon, to get their needs met and im- ● The 2020 Census may be pandemic, the MILWAUKEE atry fellowship. The University the county will be able to man- prove their long-term oppor- finished collecting responses, COUNTY traveling beer gar- of Nebraska Medical Center date energy efficiency in new tunities for success. The Family but ARLINGTON COUNTY still den will resume this spring. The will provide one psychiatrist a homes based on performance, Stabilization Unit is a partner- wants to do some counting. The Traveling Beer Gardens are two year to help with psychiatric which is easier to manage than ship with the National African county’s police department will restored fire trucks, converted services primarily for inmates prescriptive rules regarding en- American Male Wellness Agen- oversee a contractor that will fly into a mobile beer truck serving with serious mental illness at a ergy efficiency. cy, coordinated by the county’s drones over the county, looking up 12 craft brews from Milwau- cost of $1.2 million to the coun- Job and Family Services agen- for heat signatures in the woods kee’s Sprecher Brewery. Two ty. The new jail will include a NEW YORK cy. to gauge the white-tailed deer trucks travel around Milwaukee training site for the fellowship ● ONEIDA COUNTY has in- population. County Parks on two simulta- and will share the cost of fac- troduced a task force designed TENNESSEE Airspace in the county is se- neously running tours between ulty and a program director to to help reintegrate residents ● With vaccine hesitancy verely limited, so the project May and September. support the center’s behavioral who have been released from threatening vaccination goals, will involve cooperation among Over eight years of partner- health care unit, KMTV-TV, the state incarceration. The Onei- SHELBY COUNTY Mayor Lee the Department of Homeland ship with a local brewery, the local CBS affiliate, reported. da County Re-Entry Taskforce Harris has formed a group ded- Security, the Federal Aviation moving beer garden, staffed by includes referrals to social ser- icated to fostering trust in the Administration, Transporta- county parks department em- NEVADA vice, mental health, substance process. The COVID-19 Com- tion Security Administration ployees, has raised more than WASHOE COUNTY’s county abuse, domestic violence and munity Council is comprised of and Ronald Reagan Washing- $200,000 for parks improve- resident service call center saw educational services. The pro- upwards of 40 people who have ton National Airport. ments. its call volume triple in a year gram provides a cognitive be- influence in various minori- following service expansions havioral intervention and a ty groups that have expressed ● Gov. Ralph Northam (D) News from Across the Nation is during the pandemic. In Febru- work readiness program. skepticism about the vaccines. has signed a bill allowing compiled by Charlie Ban and ary 2020, Washoe311 received They will receive special brief- LOUDOUN and PRINCE WIL- Rachel Looker. Does your coun- 448 calls; in March 2020 it re- ● The SUFFOLK COUNTY ings from the county twice LIAM counties to establish ty have news we should know ceived 6,226 calls. Some of the Legislature passed a bill mak- a month, information about their own independent health about? Contact [email protected] top questions over the year sur- ing it illegal for a driver to pass the vaccine and other ways to departments. They currently and [email protected]. rounded COVID-19 testing and a cyclist without three or more vaccination, building permits feet of clearance. Without ade- and inspections, voter registra- quate space, the driver would tion and a large variety of road be required to stop until they concerns during the winter. can go around the biker safely.

NEW JERSEY NORTH CAROLINA CAMDEN COUNTY has tak- WAKE COUNTY has updat- en its popular dance party pro- ed its nondiscrimination ordi- gram for residents with disabil- nance to include protections ities to Zoom. The five-year-old for hair styles. Though much program, led by professional of the attention around similar instructors, pivoted to online policies have focused on Black during the pandemic. women’s hair, Wake County’s resolution also protects the NEW MEXICO hairstyles of those of Jewish, The SANTA FE COUNTY Latinx or Native American de- Board of County Commission- scent, The News & Observer re- ers has voted to align county ported. energy efficiency standards with the city of Santa Fe’s. The OHIO Santa Fe New Mexican reported Eyeing a chance to make up that the county’s lack of a build- a racial gap in truancy rates, ing inspection department has FRANKLIN COUNTY has de- WASHINGTON forced it to rely on state building buted a two-year pilot program Artwork reflecting the Black Lives Matter movement now adorns hundreds of KING officials to review and approve to provide wraparound sup- COUNTY Metro buses. Three county transit agency employees designed the murals that wrap plans, do all necessary inspec- port for families of low-in- the buses and posters on display at agency worksites. tions during construction and come boys to help them navi- 20 APRIL 12, 2021 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS American Jobs Plan invests in broadband, water systems, transportation and more From JOBS PLAN page 4 tems, tackle new contaminants ● $20 billion to improve safe- tric vehicle (EV) infrastructure silient Infrastructure and Com- and support clean water infra- ty through increases to existing and to support Buy American munities program Broadband | $100 billion structure across rural America, programs and a new Safe Streets rules in manufacturing the char- ● Providing technical assis- ● Building out broadband in- including $10 billion to remedi- for All Programs to fund local Vi- gers tance, training and procure- frastructure in unserved and ate PFAS contaminants sion Zero plans ● Creating grant and incen- ment best practices to local gov- underserved areas to reach 100 ● $45 billion to eliminate lead ● Establishing a new competi- tives programs for local govern- ernments to support the best percent national coverage pipes through the Environmen- tive grant program to repair the ments to build a national net- possible outcome of AJP’s trans- ● Providing specific support tal Protection Agency Drinking nation’s top ten most economi- work or EV chargers by 2030 portation initiatives for locally owned broadband Water State Revolving Fund and cally significant bridges ● $20 billion for a new pro- ● Coordinating the federal networks Water Infrastructure Improve- ● $85 billion to upgrade and gram to resolve racial and social permitting process to expedite ● Lifting barriers that prevent ments for the Nation Act grants expand public transit systems inequities created by transpor- federal decisions while ensur- locally owned or affiliated pro- As major owners, users and ● $80 billion to address Am- tation assets, and to advance ing stakeholder engagement viders from competing with pri- regulators of water resources trak’s repair backlog environmental justice and en- and positive environmental and vate companies and systems, state and local ● Enhancing federal rail grant hance accessibility health benefits Counties support congressio- governments are responsible and loan programs to support ● $25 billion for “shovel ready’ Counties own and operate 45 nal and administrative action for 95 percent of the total public improved rail safety, efficiency projects that have the poten- percent of public roads and 38 that hastens the deployment of spending on water infrastruc- and network electrification tial to significantly impact the percent of bridges in addition to high-speed broadband technol- ture each year. ● $25 billion for airports regional or national economy, directly supporting 78 percent ogy in rural America. through the Airport Improve- but are too large or complex to of public transit systems and 34 Transportation and ment Program and a new pro- be carried out through existing percent of public airports that Water systems | $111 resilience | $621 billion gram that will support “ground- program funding structures keep Americans connected in billion ● $115 billion to repair, re- side” development projects ● $50 billion to empower lo- every part of the county. Annual- ● $56 billion through grants habilitate and upgrade 20,000 ● $17 billion for coastal and cal communities to improve ly, counties invest $134 billion in and loans to upgrade and mod- miles of highways and roads inland ports, inland waterways, disaster resilience and protect the construction of infrastructure ernize America’s drinking water, and 10,000 small bridges across land ports of entry and ferries critical infrastructure, including and the operation and mainte- wastewater and stormwater sys- the county ● $174 billion to deploy elec- funding for FEMA’s Building Re- nance of public works.

ON THE MOVE I LOVE MY NACo MEMBERS COUNTY AND NACo STAFF • Chief Public Affairs Officer Brian BECAUSE... Namey and Membership Director Kim Hall discussed the American Rescue ART Plan and the benefits of NACo member- ship March 14 at the New Hampshire CONTEST Association of Counties’ new commis- sioner orientation. Namey • Executive Director Matt Chase spoke about the American Rescue Plan March 15 to the Virtual Assembly of the Washington State Association of Coun- ties. • Associate Program Director Rashi- da Brown and Milwaukee County Ex- ecutive David Crowley participated March 16 in the National League of Cit- Hall ies’ and National Conference of State Legislatures’ “State and Local Govern- ment PN-3 Collaboration in Action” fire- side chat. • Chief Information OfficerRita Reynolds participated in a webinar panel March 23 for FedInsider on Cy- berattacks 2021: The Landscape of Evolving Threats. Brown • Chase addressed both the board of directors at the New Jersey Associ- ation of Counties and the board of di- rectors of Will County, Ill. on March 26. Winning artwork will be featured in a “Counties Matter” calendar, in County News and at NACo headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Visit naco.org/art for all the details! Crowley