NACO SEEKS INPUT ON VIRTUAL TOWN HALLS LOCAL ROAD SAFETY COSTS FOR NEW SAFETY ON OPIOID ABUSE TO BE PLANS PREVENT DEATHS RULES PG. 2 HELD IN JUNE PG. 3 AND CONGESTION PG. 7

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES VOL.48, NO. 11 MAY 30, 2016 New overtime Power of federal rule signals funding paints significant Infrastructure county impact Week picture By Charlie Ban By Eryn Hurley senior staff writer legislative assistant Members of Congress don’t The U.S. Department of La- need to look far to see the force bor’s final rule on overtime pay that federal funding can add to amends regulations under the local infrastructure projects. Fair Labor Standards Act gov- They don’t even have to look erning the “white collar” ex- beyond the Washington Belt- emption from overtime pay for way. executive, administrative and The Purple Line light rail professional employees. project between Maryland’s The final rule focuses pri- Montgomery and Prince marily on updating the salary George’s counties couldn’t and compensation levels need- happen without the feder- ed for executive, administra- al government’s investment, tive and professional workers Montgomery County Coun- to be exempt from overtime Western Interstate Region conference attendees view the arugula riding on the carousel at Vertical cilmember Hans Riemer said requirements. Specifically, it Harvest, a public-private greenhouse in Teton County, Wyo. during a tour arranged by NACo’s Agri- at a Capitol Hill briefing for culture and Rural Affairs Steering Committee May 25. The building, leased from the town of Jackson, sets the standard salary level at is 30 feet wide and 150 feet long and the three-story carousels along the south side of the building Infrastructure Week, held by a the 40th percentile of earnings help crops to balance natural light and artificial light. The greenhouse allows for a year-round coalition of local government for full-time salaried work- growing season, and in a half acre, grows 5 acres worth of produce, roughly 100,000 pounds per year, and interest groups including ers, which is $913 per week or which is sold to restaurants that don’t have existing relationships with local farmers. Photo by Charlie Ban NACo on May 19. “There was a strong push in See OVERTIME page 6 Montgomery County to aban- HIDTA designation offers don the federally funded Pur- ple Line and substitute for it a resources for counties’ locally funded bus rapid transit system,” he said. “The rationale was that the federal govern- heroin fight ment wasn’t going to be there.” But the county made its case By Charlie Ban Virginia and Virginia, heroin has counties along the way. to the Federal Transit Adminis- senior staff writer been coming out of Baltimore Jefferson County, population tration in 2014 anyhow — from and passing through dozens of 55,073, is one of the latest to a position of faith, as Riemer The country roads of West Vir- become part of a High Intensity put it — and came away with ginia’s Eastern Panhandle are Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), nearly $900 million in federal carrying more and more heroin a designation that brings with it funding. to markets far and wide. programmatic support and fed- The federal funding con- Because those panhandle eral grants to disrupt the large- vinced Maryland Gov. Larry counties serve as a corridor for scale drug trade and aid in reha- Hogan (R) to change his mind the drug trade, they qualify for bilitation for county residents. on supporting the project, federal aid to help fight the opi- The fact that no interstates run to the tune of $168 million, oid epidemic, which has seen through Jefferson County is one to go with $217 million from accelerated growth over the last four years. In Maryland, West See DRUGS page 4 See FED PARTNERS page 3 2 MAY 30, 2016 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES Risk management rules may change By Julie Ufner associate legislative director NACO NEEDS YOUR INPUT number of industries are im- rule, regulated facilities would pacted by the proposal such be required to consult individ- When the April 2013 West, ven though the public comment period for the proposed rule as environmental quality pro- ually with emergency manag- Texas fertilizer explosion Eis closed, NACo, along with the National League of Cities and grams, agricultural chemical ers on a yearly basis for notifi- killed 15 people and destroyed U.S. Conference of Mayors, plans to meet with the White House’s distributors, utilities and wa- cations and tabletop exercises, or damaged over 150 homes, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs on cost implications of ter-wastewater treatment sys- and every five years for field safety practices at chemical the proposed rule. NACo is interested in whether the proposed rule tems. exercises. facilities came under almost would impact your county. Specifically, ask your emergency man- Local governments could The proposed rule would immediate scrutiny. Four ager whether the cost estimates listed in Slide No. 18 of the EPA be most affected on two expand local government re- months later, on Aug. 1, Pres- presentation (see this article online for link to slide) are accurate for fronts: First, as owners and sponsibilities without provid- implementation. And, if not, why? ident Obama issued Execu- operators of publicly owned ing funding to implement the tive Order 13650 — Improving Some Things to Think About water-wastewater treatment more complex requirements. Chemical Facility Safety and • How many facilities within the county would be regulated under facilities, local governments Added compliance costs were Security — which required this proposal? would be regulated through noted in joint comments on federal agencies to tighten • If your emergency responders needed to be involved in each of new requirements on facili- the proposed rule, Accidental chemical security programs. these activities — notification and tabletop (annually) and field ties. Second, since local gov- Release Prevention Require- Subsequently, EPA has re- exercises (every five years) — would the emergency managers be ernments often serve as the ments: Risk Management Pro- leased proposed rules to tight- able to comply with existing staff? If not, how many more staff would nation’s first line of defense grams Under the Clean Air Act, en existing safety programs be needed? before and after disasters filed by NACo, the National at chemical facilities that use • Estimated costs to comply (from an emergency manager perspec- strike, changes to emergen- League of Cities and the U.S. chlorine, ammonia and vari- tive) with these rules? cy protocols would directly Conference of Mayors on May ous flammable chemicals. A impact them. Under the new 13. House, Senate opioid bills headed for conference

By Jack Peterson their own prescription drug Easing the IMD exclusion legislative assistant abuse prevention strategies. Easing the IMD would allow counties to provide Also important to counties, exclusion would allow much-needed inpatient and House and Senate versions the bills would authorize grants residential psychiatric services of legislation dealing with the to purchase overdose reversal counties to provide to their residents. impact of the opioid abuse ep- drugs, and train law enforce- much-needed inpa- To view a more detailed side- idemic are heading for a confer- ment officers and first respond- tient and residential by-side comparison of the two ence committee after the House ers in their use, as well as grants bills, as well as NACo’s key pri- SNAP STATS passed its version of S. 524, the to local entities to develop, im- psychiatric services orities, please visit http://www. Comprehensive Addiction and plement or expand treatment to their residents. naco.org/resources/opioid bills. STATES WITH THE Recovery Act (CARA), May 13. alternatives to incarceration. Before going to a conference MOST NUCLEAR The Senate’s bill was passed in There are a few key differ- committee, each chamber must POWER PLANTS March. ences between the bills as well. ment. Under the IMD exclu- appoint designated conferees. The House measure bundles Most notably for counties, the sion, federal Medicaid match- As of this writing, the House State Plants 18 bills — all passed individu- Senate version contains lan- ing payments are prohibited for had already selected its 35 ally — that represent its plan to guage requiring the Govern- Institutions for Mental Disease members, including 21 Repub- Illinois...... 6 address the growing prescrip- ment Accountability Office to with populations ranging be- licans and 14 Democrats. Pennsylvania...... 5 tion drug abuse epidemic. publish a report on the impact tween the ages of 22 and 64. The Senate is expected to South Carolina...... 4 The two versions of S. 524 of the Medicaid Institutions for NACo policy supports name its conferees within the Michigan...... 3 contain more similarities than Mental Disease (IMD) exclu- amending the IMD exclusion next week. After the two sides Florida...... 3 differences. For example, both sion, and how it affects an indi- to allow the use of Medicaid agree on a final version of the New Jersey...... 3 permit the Departments of Jus- vidual’s ability to access treat- financing for non-hospital res- legislation, both chambers tice and of Health and Human ment. idential placements for hospi- must vote to approve the final Source: Nuclear Regulatory Commission Services to make grants allow- The House version, however, tal-based mental health and bill to send it to the president’s ing communities to develop does not include this require- substance use care. desk.

President Executive Editor ADVERTISING STAFF Published biweekly except August by: The appearance of paid advertisements in County POSTMASTER: send address changes to Sallie Clark Beverly Anne Job Market/Classifieds National Association of Counties News in no way implies support or endorsement County News, 25 Massachusetts Ave. Schlotterbeck by the National Association of Counties for any of Publisher representative Research Foundation, Inc. N.W., Ste. 500, Washington, D.C. 20001 Matthew Chase Senior Staff Writer 25 Massachusetts Ave., N.W. the products, services or messages advertised. National Accounts (USPS 704-620) n (ISSN: 0744-9798) Charles Taylor STE. 500, Washington, D.C. 20001 Periodicals postage paid at Washington D.C. and Public Affairs representative other offices. © National Association of Counties Director Senior Staff Writer (202) 393-6226 | FAX (202) 393-2630 Research Foundation, Inc. Brian Namey Charlie Ban Beverly Schlotterbeck E-mail [email protected] Mail subscriptions are $100 per year for non-mem- (202) 393-6226 bers. $60 per year for non-members purchasing Design Director Online address www.countynews.org Leon Lawrence III FAX (202) 393-2630 multiple copies. Educational institution rate, $50 per year. Member county supplemental subscrip- tions are $20 each. Send payment with order and address changes to NACo, 25 Massachusetts Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001. COUNTY NEWS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES MAY 30, 2016 3 the community really wants us to upgrade those schools.” Opioid task force to hold Bailey and Riemer defended the tax-exempt status of mu- Virtual Town Halls in June nicipal bonds, the main tool counties use to fund infrastruc- By Hadi Sedigh aging — the establishment of ture improvements, but also associate legislative director these facilities in their jurisdic- perpetual low-hanging fruit tions. for federal spending cut plans. NACo will convene a number The final Virtual Town Hall, An International City/Coun- of events related to its joint task scheduled for June 30, will ty Management Association force with the National League cover public safety and com- study found that 90 percent of of Cities on the opioid crisis munity wellness. Many local state and local capital spend- that has affected communities law enforcement departments ing is financed by debt, mainly across the U.S. across the country have reas- through municipal bonds. In June, a series of Virtual sessed their approach to the “If you make financing more Town Halls will bring togeth- enforcement of laws related to expensive, you will get less er the task force’s county ap- the use of heroin, but skepti- infrastructure,” Riemer said, pointees, NACo members and cism remains in regards to the acknowledging the pressure national experts on opioid and effectiveness of this hands-off Congress receives to get rid of heroin abuse. approach. Representatives from tax expenditures but promising At NACo’s Annual Confer- the National District Attorneys it was worth it. ence in July, the task force will Association and Major County “Our productive capacity as brief conference attendees on Sheriffs’ Association will join to a country and as an economy is its discussions and hear from discuss public safety issues re- dependent on this infrastruc- the membership on the impact lating to the opioid crisis. ture, and the state and local of the opioid crisis on local You can register for these Vir- government infrastructure in- communities. Based on these tual Town Halls by visiting www. vestments are pivotal,” Bailey events and conversations — naco.org/OpioidTownHalls. said. “There are other funding and the next meeting of the full Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) admonishes locals not to give up mechanisms, such as pay- task force, in Boone County, Ky. on the federal government as an infrastructure partner at the May Annual Conference as-you-go and public-private in August — NACo and NLC will 19 Capitol Hill briefing.Photo by Alix Kashdan Events partnerships,” she said. “They jointly release a report featuring Later this summer, NACo will From FED PARTNERS page 1 in the next Congress because are effective for certain types policy recommendations and continue these conversations the public will come around to of projects, but they’re not a best practices in October. on the opioid crisis at the NACo Montgomery County and $120 support spending that is a true robust alternative for the vast Each of the Virtual Town Hall Annual Conference in Los An- million from Prince George’s, investment in their communi- majority of capital projects.” call-ins, scheduled in June on geles County (Long Beach), Ca- plus in-kind contributions ties. A public-private partnership Thursdays at 2 p.m. EDT, will lif. A luncheon, scheduled for worth $10 million from Prince “Don’t give up on the fed- is, however, appropriate for target an aspect of local re- July 22 will feature remarks from George’s. That was the crucial eral government being a part- Maryland’s Purple Line, which sponse to the opioid crisis. The task force members and a series moment for the project, illus- ner,” he said. “(Infrastructure will be built with nearly $700 first call, June 9, will focus on of presentations from NACo trating what was possible be- projects) are the things peo- million in private money. prevention and education mea- partners involved in efforts to yond the go-it-alone approach ple think government can do Riemer said, however, that sures that local governments curb the opioid crisis. U.S. Com- that many advocated. something about. Is the drink- there was a place for the feder- can take to lower the rates of munities, for example, will share “You have a lot of ‘widening ing water safe? Does the storm al government in infrastructure drug use in their communities. information on Narcan — an an intersection’ projects hap- water go away and be treated financing that was befitting of Representatives of affiliate -or overdose-reversal medication pen with local money, but you rather than polluting lakes its spending power and appro- ganizations such as the Nation- widely considered key to reduc- don’t have projects that can and rivers and creating prob- priate in the grand scheme of al Association of County and ing rates of death related to opi- move 70,000 people a day and lems with flooding? Are roads public finance. City Health Officials (NACCHO) oid and heroin use transform a major part of the and bridges falling apart? Can “There was political interest and the National Association of Due to limited capacity, you Washington region,” Riemer children get to school safely? in other infrastructure proj- County Behavioral Health and must RSVP to attend this ses- said. “At the local level, we These are things people have ects,” he said. “People repeat- Developmental Disability Di- sion, and can do so by visiting need a federal partner in order an expectation government edly made the argument that rectors will join NACo members www.naco.org/events/lun- to think big about infrastruc- could do something about and the federal government wasn’t to discuss effective prevention cheon-opioid-epidemic. ture. The reality is that we can’t should do.” going to be there for the Purple strategies. do that much, locally, with our Sheryl Bailey illustrated the Line, and we should go it alone. The second Virtual Town Task Force Meeting dollars. That was a real dead kind of support across the po- “I applaud those jurisdic- Hall, June 16, will focus on the The Task Force will continue end.” litical spectrum that infrastruc- tions that decide to proceed treatment of individuals strug- its work at a meeting in Boone Though he criticized the ture projects receive in Chester- on their own, but there’s a cost gling with opioid addiction. County, Ky. on Aug. 19 and 20. small funding increase in field County, Va., where she is a to that. If you raise taxes for Leading the discussion will be It will begin to work towards 2015’s FAST Act transporta- deputy county administrator. one project, you can’t use that representatives from the Amer- finalizing a task force report to tion reauthorization, Rep. Earl The key is demonstrating need. money for another,” he added. ican Medical Association and be published in October. The Blumenauer (D-Ore.), a for- “Though a conservative com- “If local governments have the Substance Abuse and Men- report will feature policy recom- mer Multnomah County com- munity, Chesterfield residents to take on major infrastructure tal Health Administration. The mendations to local, state and missioner and veteran infra- overwhelmingly approved a projects, that’s less money for discussion will cover Medica- federal leaders as well as exam- structure proponent, sees a lot bond issue for a $304 million teachers, libraries and parks. tion-Assisted Treatment facil- ples of practices that have prov- of potential for a more active school project, by 78 percent,” Things that only local govern- ities and the role that counties en effective at decreasing rates and sympathetic legislature she said. “As you can imagine, ments can provide.” play in enabling — or discour- of drug use and abuse. 4 MAY 30, 2016 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS Tri-state HIDTA counties nab drug dealers, rehab opioid abusers

From DRUGS page 1 “And it’s spread all over the county,” he said. “It’s no worse in reason Sheriff Pete Dougherty one part than the other.” is seeing more heroin coming Dougherty said heroin use has through. moved out of the low-income ar- “As interdiction gets better eas of county seat Charles Town on (interstates) 81 and 70, driv- and into rural areas. “We’re see- ers are looking for a good, quick ing three times as many overdos- alternative,” he said. “That be- es as we did three years ago,” he comes crossing the Potomac Riv- said. “It’s not uncommon to have er and coming through Jefferson four in a 24-hour period, over County and on into Virginia.” two days.” By cooperating with its neigh- And the sales are getting more bors, Jefferson County is meeting brazen. another HIDTA criteria: partici- “One of my deputies was fill- Sheriff Pete Dougherty, Jefferson County, W.Va., says working with police across state lines in Mary- pants must be willing to cooper- land and Virginia counties helps to combat opioid drug traffic and abuse.Photo by Charlie Ban ing up his car at a gas station and ate with other agencies, and state saw a deal going down across the and federal agency sponsors. up his deputies and improve sur- motivation to Dougherty’s force. agencies can’t arrest their way street, in open view,” he said. “I have Loudoun County and veillance. Frederick now has personnel out of the drug trade. If the goal is Meanwhile, Frederick Coun- Clark County in Virginia, Berke- “It doesn’t bring you more from the Department of Home- to end the sale of illegal drugs, the ty recorded nearly five times as ley County in West Virginia manpower, but this technolo- land Security operating out of its demand needs to be addressed. many overdoses through mid- on my borders and we’re right gy will give us the technology to office and Jenkins is seeing the “There are market conditions May 2016 than it did for all of across the river from Washington work better and smarter with the benefit that comes with his new at play,” Dougherty said. “Arrest- 2012. Jenkins said he expects at County in Maryland,” he said. deputies that we have,” he said. coworkers. ing drug dealers is a good thing least 280 overdoses by the end of “We’re used to working with our “I’d like to be able to watch some “Homeland Security’s involve- to do. We’re going to do it, but if 2016, which will double the 2015 neighbors, and we’re improving of that traffic coming out of Balti- ment is increasing our capaci- we arrest Johnny A., Johnny B. is total. communication with them.” more, but following drug dealers ty locally and bringing federal going to take his job the next day “I don’t expect it to decrease But that’s something relatively is very time consuming and very jurisdictional authority that we because it’s lucrative for him.” any time soon,” he said. new to law enforcement agen- difficult to maintain coverage didn’t have before,” he said. “Our “We want to get to a point And, to his chagrin, some us- cies, in Tom Carr’s experience as without being spotted.” cases often go out of state and where there’s not much of a mar- ers are counting double, having the HIDTA director for the Wash- Instead, once the cameras what starts as a small, localized ket for dealers.” survived thanks to the admin- ington-Baltimore region. are installed, Dougherty will be complaint could take us up into So counties are taking advan- istration of anti-overdose drug “Law enforcement, by its very able to track travel patterns of New York, the Southwest, the tage of HIDTA’s funding for reha- naloxone. nature, is competitive,” he said. cars suspected to be part of drug Midwest, anywhere.” bilitation services. For Jefferson “We revived one user three “Agencies aren’t used to sharing, distribution operations. He can Adjacent to Jefferson County, County, it’s the Day Reporting times in one year,” he said. “It’s but problems aren’t isolated to forward that information to his Berkeley County, W.Va., which Center community corrections great that we have this chance to one county. Increased coopera- neighboring sheriffs — informa- surrounds Interstate 81, imme- service. Dougherty hopes to give people a second chance, but tion among county law enforce- tion sharing is another HIDTA diately launched a wiretap effort adapt an adult version of the they’re not all getting the help ment agencies has been one of requirement. And the lawmen after earning a HIDTA designa- youth drug rehab model that has they need.” the biggest changes I’ve since can figure out the best way to tion in 2014, which led to the dis- been successful. Dougherty laments that there since I started,” as director in spring their trap. mantling of a drug ring. “We put a lot of focus on the are few intensive therapy pro- 1994. Most often, the driver makes a “We don’t want to measure in parents, keeping them in the grams for youths nearby. Most The national HIDTA program, mistake and gives deputies a rea- terms of individual arrests, we loop,” he said. “Counselors meet are sent hours away. administered by the Office of -Na son to stop the car and then give want the number of drug distri- with the parents once a week and And just as he has seen law en- tional Drug Control Policy, paid the department’s drug-sniffing bution operations disrupted,” help them out, understand how forcement change dramatically out $250 million in FY16. Desig- dogs a chance. Carr said. “Every time we make to react to their child’s recovery. during his 22 years at the Wash- nations are renewed on an an- “They can smell a little bit of a move, there’s an opposite re- There’s a way to be firm with a ington-Baltimore HIDTA bu- nual basis. More than 17 percent heroin like I can smell a pot of action. If we cut off a supply line, child dealing with addiction that reau, Carr has seen the epidemic of counties are represented in 32 coffee brewing 10 feet away,” it increases the bad guys’ search won’t trigger them and make change. HIDTAs, which cover 60 percent Dougherty said. “And it’s usual- time for more drugs and more things worse.” “Back when we started, in of the U.S. population. ly distracted driving, looking at ‘safe’ routes.” Those rehabilitation efforts the ‘90s, it was all cocaine,” he their phone while they’re driv- will need a boost to keep pace said. “Even a few years ago you What Do They Do ing, that gives us a reason to pull More than Manacles with the spread of drug use, wouldn’t find any heroin in Dougherty has a person- them over.” Though their counties are which shows no sign of abating. Northern Virginia — it was un- nel shortage, with 25 deputies While Jefferson County just thoroughfares for drug ship- The typical Washington-Balti- known. You had prescription spread over 210 square miles became HIDTA-designated in ments, their residents are getting more HIDTA drug user is a man drugs, then, a year later, when and roughly 1,000 miles of pub- January 2016, Frederick County hooked like nothing before. in his 30s, with 10 arrests and six those supplies dried up, heroin lic road. They handle everything in Maryland, population 241,409, “HIDTA isn’t just enforce- convictions, Carr said, which de- moved in with cheaper prices. from emergency calls to requests has been in the program for more ment, it’s rehabilitation,” Dough- mographically gives the epidem- “It’s straining resources be- for livestock movement. than three years. Sheriff Charles erty said. “That doesn’t get as ic even more room for growth. yond just law enforcement — For Jefferson County, HIDTA is Jenkins has seen HIDTA contri- much attention, but that’s a big Jenkins said most of Frederick human services, for instances, funding the purchase of license butions increase as the county part of it.” County’s users are in the up- taking care of children whose plate-reading cameras, which matures and demonstrates its It’s born of the realization and per middle class, with money to parents are locked up. It’s not just Dougherty sees as a way to free capability, which can serve as a reality that law enforcement spend. the demand on deputies.” COUNTY NEWS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES MAY 30, 2016 5 In California, Nevada County sees virtual greener pastures ahead

By Charles Taylor tual elements to be overlaid senior staff writer onto the real world. Accord- ing to a recent report from Re- When the new Jason Bourne search and Markets, those sec- movie hits theaters this sum- tors are expected to grow from a mer, think of Nevada County, global market of $8.1 billion last Calif. year to $105 billion by 2020, in- That’s where the technology creasing at a compound annual used for the still-untitled film’s growth rate of 67 percent. aerial shots was developed and “Ultimately, it means more manufactured at Gyro-Stabi- jobs and nicely paying jobs lized Systems. that bring good dollars into our The company is one of the community,” said Supervisor first occupants of the Green Ed Scofield, who also serves Screen Institute, a county-sup- on the economic development ported technology accelerator, that aims to transform this ru- “Ultimately, it ral county in the Sierra Nevada foothills into a hotbed of vir- means more jobs tual- and augmented-reality and nicely paying companies. jobs that bring good “We’re in this little area that some people call Video Valley, dollars into our the Grass Valley area,” said Ja- community.” son Fountaine, Gyro-Stabilized — Supv. Ed Scofield Systems’ managing director, in a nod to the area’s history as home to broadcast- and me- council’s board. dia-related companies, dating The project is indebted to back to the 1950s (see sidebar, the Board of Supervisors’ will- page 6). ingness to try something new, The Green Screen Institute said Alison Lehman, assistant is the brainchild of the Neva- county executive officer. In past da County Economic Resource years, the county gave “what Council (NCERC) — the coun- little dollars we have” to a num- ty’s contracted economic de- ber of organizations through- velopment partner — county out the county mainly to pro- officials and consultants who mote tourism,” Scofield said, helped NCERC find the right “and those entities were doing niche to pursue. Based on a fine job. But we made a major an existing concentration of decision to take what money we broadcast and video companies had and put it into this one or- in the county the consultants ganization. And it was contro- identified virtual reality (VR) versial at the time.” and augmented reality (AR) as The county had been fund- An unidentified man at Nevada County Economic Resource Council’s April 7 economic development a sector with growth potential. ing NERC to the tune of about summit tries out virtual reality via a smartphone attached to goggles. Photo courtesy of Nevada County ERC In July, the institute will $125,000 a year, but in 2015 launch a 10-week accelera- the supervisors approved a It was a “game changer,” Leh- was born. Beyond the summer pro- tor program for startups that $625,000, five-year contract man said. Such a “bet the farm” move gram, GSI will continue its will focus on content-creation with the economic develop- The county pledged an ad- seems to be paying off, at least business accelerator and in- for AR-VR platforms. Up to ment council, with the goal of ditional $50,000 in matching in the institute’s infancy. GSS vestment program for startups four participants will receive a “growing the pie” rather than funds to help NERC go after, and Traitware are the first two year round. It will also provide $50,000 stipend and network- slicing it up into smaller pieces, and win, a $500,000 U.S. Eco- companies to move into the in- a Co-Working Lab, set to launch ing opportunities with the in- according to Jon Gregory, the nomic Development Admin- stitute’s leased, 27,000-square- July 18, for established compa- stitute’s advisory board and in- Green Screen Institute’s (GSI) istration planning grant to vet, foot building. Gregory said nies and startups, and eventu- vestors, among other benefits. managing director and execu- plan and launch a digital media digital entrepreneurs from Los ally, vocational training for jobs VR digitally recreates real-life tive director of the economic “science and research park.” Angeles to Sacramento to Sili- settings, while AR enables vir- resource council. And the Green Screen Institute con Valley have shown interest. See VIRTUAL page 6 6 MAY 30, 2016 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS New rule affects 4.2 million workers 20-member advisory From OVERTIME page 1 threshold is lower than the The new rule also estab- originally proposed $50,440, it lishes a mechanism for auto- board heading effort $47,476 annually, starting Dec. remains a substantial increase. matically updating the salary 1. Previously, the threshold Implemented over a one-year and compensation level every From VIRTUAL page 5 like to do outside.” was $23,660. period it could present serious three years, beginning January And culture-wise, “It’s a small Employees at the new salary budgetary and administrative 2020, to prevent levels from in the digital media industry. It town, but it has a big town di- level or below would be enti- challenges to county govern- becoming outdated. The final will operate on a subscription versity vibe,” he added. The an- tled to overtime pay. ments, according to prelimi- rule does not change any of the basis with memberships rang- nual Wild and Scenic Film Fes- Although the new salary nary NACo analysis. existing job duty requirements, ing from $25 per day to $500 tival in Nevada City showcases or duties test, to qualify for ex- monthly. films about nature, wildlife, en- emption. The rule would affect It’s being guided by a vironmental justice, agriculture an estimated 4.2 million work- 20-member advisory board that and indigenous cultures. Grass ers across the United States includes several heavy hitters Valley’s California WorldFest who are currently exempt from from technology and media music festival is marking its ON THE MOVE overtime requirements. companies, including execu- 20th anniversary this year.

“While we support the Ad- tives from the video gaming Those assets also figure into NACO OFFICERS, dia specialist. Nicholas has ministration’s goal to improve company Electronic Arts and the county’s support of the COUNTY OFFICIALS a background in policy and workers’ lives, the rule does Fandango, the online the mov- Green Screen Institute, Gregory l President Sallie Clark communications, and in- not take into account the wide ie-ticketing company. said. “Our objective over time represented NACo at the terned in the Broome Coun- fiscal and economic diversity Gregory hopes that the same — ideally sooner rather than California State Association ty, N.Y. executive’s commu- of local communities across natural and cultural amenities later — is to become recognized of Counties Legis- nications office. the country,” said NACo Exec- that attracted him to the Grass as a global center of excellence lative Conference, He has a B.A. from utive Director Matt Chase. Valley-Nevada City area will ap- in AR and VR, which has really May 18 . the State Universi- peal to digital entrepreneurs. unique linkages to artistic and l Congratulations ty of New York at Gyro-Stabilized Systems’ filmmaking communities,” he to James “Jim” Cortland in com- Employees at the Fountaine was drawn to “a little explained. “And we believe that Neal, public works munications, and nicer quality of life ... close to also becomes a tourism attri- director, Charleston a master’s degree Jackson new salary level Lake Tahoe, also lakes and lots bute that drives people to visit County, S.C., who in political science or below would of trails and mountain biking, Nevada County from California, was named to the from American Uni- and all that fun stuff that people across the U.S. and globally.” 2016 Top 10 Pub- versity. be entitled to lic Works Leaders l Luana Mayfield by the American will serve as an ad- overtime pay. WHAT IS AUGMENTED REALITY? Public Works As- ministrative assis- sociation. The Top tant in the Execu- County governments are ma- or a rural county, Nevada years,” said Jon Gregory, GSI’s 10 program focus- tive Office, where Nicholas jor employers and economic FCounty, Calif. certainly managing director. es on outstanding she will perform engines for workers across the punches above its weight when Grass Valley Group (GVG) put achievements of a wide range of United States. Today, Ameri- it comes to the presence of Nevada County on the map back individual public administrative du- ca’s 3,069 county governments digital media companies. in the 1950s. Its first major works professionals ties. Prior to join- employ more than 3.3 million The new, county-supported media-related project, in 1959, from both the public ing NACo, she was people, providing services to Green Screen Institute (GSI) was a panoramic movie sound and private sectors the program and over 305 million county resi- hopes to capitalize on a legacy system for Cinerama Inc. in North America. event assistant at dents. They are responsible for of video and broadcast compa- The Grass Valley area became Giuffrida Associ- numerous public services that nies — dating back to the 1950s known worldwide for innovations Mayfield NACo STAFF ates, consultants could face major hurdles as a — by adding augmented reality in radio, television and film and l David Jackson, Has in association management, result of DOL’s rule, especially and virtual reality companies became a magnet for young joined the Public Affairs De- conference and meeting during disaster or crisis events. into the mix. engineers from places like San partment as communica- planning. She holds a bach- The rule, announced May 18 As defined by Mashable, a Francisco and Los Angeles. tions director. Jackson man- elor’s degree in international by Vice President Joe Biden, digital media website, virtual Looking to get closer to nature, ages and coordinates media affairs from Lewis & Clark Secretary of Labor Thomas Pe- reality replaces the real world entrepreneurs like Charles relations, digital communica- University, and a master’s rez and Sen. Sherrod Brown with a simulated one. Aug- Litton and Donald Hare moved tions and social media. Prior degree in linguistics from the (D-Ohio), also complicates mented reality is a “live, direct to Grass Valley from more urban to joining NACo, he was a se- University of Murcia in Spain. post-recession recovery efforts or indirect, view of a physical, parts of California to be near the nior communications advisor for the majority of America’s real-world environment whose Sierra Nevada Mountains. Litton at The Brookings Institution COMING UP counties. According to NA- elements are augmented by would found Litton Engineering where he formulated com- Matt Chase, executive Co’s 2015 County Economic computer-generated sensory Laboratories; Hare founded munications strategy and director, and Andrew Gold- Tracker report, only 214 coun- input such as sound, video, GVG. Now known as simply policy messages. schmidt, membership-mar- ty economies have fully re- graphics or GPS data.” Grass Valley, today it’s a subsid- l Adrian Nicholas keting director, will attend covered to their pre-recession “There’s a cluster of unique ex- iary of a Canadian company. Moved from the health and the Colorado Counties Inc. levels. pertise of companies that have Other local technology com- justice program to join the Summer Conference in Routt NACo is preparing to pub- dealt with (movie) studios and panies include Telestream, AJA digital communications team County (Steamboat Springs), lish a detailed analysis of the media companies and content Video Systems and Ensemble as Public Affairs’ social me- June 6–8. Labor Department’s action. and video that goes back 50 Designs. COUNTY NEWS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES MAY 30, 2016 7 Local Road Safety Plans: FHWA offers implementation tips

By Rosemarie Anderson Federal Highway Administration WATCH LOCAL ROAD SAFETY WEBINAR Why Develop Local JUNE 30 Road Safety Plans s part of NACo President The State’s Strategic High- Sallie Clark’s presidential way Safety Plan (SHSP) can A initiative, Safe and Secure assist local leaders in address- Counties, NACo partnered with ing safety on local roads but a the FHWA Office of Safety to locally focused plan is often offer a series of County News needed to address the unique articles highlighting steps coun- conditions in each communi- ties can take to promote trans- ty. Local road safety officials portation safety. The first and play a critical role in address- second articles in the series are ing crash risks and may be able available online. Also, join NACo to identify the specific condi- and FHWA for a webinar on June tions that contribute to crashes 30 to learn more about local in their jurisdictions. A Local road safety plans. Registration Road Safety Plan (LRSP) offers information is available in the a foundation for consensus An example of curve safety treatments: high-friction surface treatment provides vehicles more trac- Events section, under Webinars and focus. tion and chevron signs warn of dangerous curves ahead. Photo courtesy of Scott Davis, Thurston County, Wash. at www.naco.org. It defines key emphasis ar- eas and strategies that impact nerships that may benefit fu- champion advocates for the successful in acquiring HSIP local roads and provides a way ture projects LRSP and gathers the political funds. forward to save lives in local l instilling or enhancing a support to assist in its imple- Thurston County, one of the communities. sense of collaboration among mentation. local pioneers in risk-based With the passage of different disciplines, and l Developing a clear vision safety at the local road level, the transportation leg- l assisting local agen- and mission: A strategic vision has decided that for 2016 it will islation in 2005, Safe, cies to better leverage and mission unite all stake- develop a more comprehen- Accountable, Flexible, funding. holders with a common goal. sive LRSP than its current one. Efficient Transpor- LRSP provides local l Assembling collaborative According to Scott Davis, tation Equity Act: A agencies an opportunity partners: Partners collaborate traffic engineer, Thurston Legacy for Users (SAF- to improve relationships to implement the plan. County Public Works, “We ETEA-LU), Safety was with the public, stakehold- l Allocating appropriate re- cannot end fatalities and se- established as a new core ers, and across governmental sources: Manpower and man- rious injuries if we keep wait- funding program through the agencies by working through a agement are essential for en- ing for something to happen. then-new Highway Safety Im- collaborative process. Improv- suring a plan’s success, and The LRSP provided Thurston provement Program (HSIP). ing road safety is a benefit for l Establishing open com- County with a proactive and The HSIP was structured pleted in 2013. According to everyone involved. munication: The LRSP own- forward-looking approach to and funded to reduce highway Rick West, Otter Tail Coun- Iowa is one of the states that ers should foster open and traffic safety. fatalities and required states to ty engineer, “LRSPs provide have since adopted the Minne- frequent communication with “Through the development develop a Strategic Highway practitioners with a detailed, sota approach. “As I learn how stakeholders, community of the LRSP, we identified hori- Safety Plan (SHSP), focusing prioritized county-wide, safe- to better utilize it, I will appre- partners and citizens as they zontal curves as a system-wide on results. The SHSPs are state- ty plan to guide and support ciate it more,” says Brian Kei- develop and implement the priority and have been a focus wide-coordinated safety plans future safety investments. The erleber, Buchanan County en- plan. for investments since. Tradi- that provide a comprehensive benefits far outweigh the chal- gineer. “I feel I know my most In 2014, the State of Wash- tional practices may not have data-driven framework for re- lenges and have resulted in a hazardous locations and this ington required county gov- identified this system-wide ducing highway fatalities and safety culture change in Otter generally confirms it. It also ernments to develop a LRSP need and, as such, missed an serious injuries on all public Tail County.” identified a stretch of roadway to access HSIP funds for safety opportunity to make a wide- roads. Local Road Safety Plans The state’s plan may provide that is an issue that I was un- projects. The basic require- spread safety impact.” (LRSP) are based on the same inputs to the local plan. Like- aware of. Every day is a learn- ments for the LRSP were: fo- Several local agencies concept as the state SHSPs. wise, the local plan can feed ing experience.” cus on low-cost, widespread throughout the nation have the state’s process. projects that would reduce the taken the initiative to develop Benefits Realized Some benefits realized in Ingredients for risk of fatal and serious-inju- their own LRSPs and have seen Recognizing the benefits the LRSP development pro- Success ry collisions on county roads, the changes they have made of LRSPs, Minnesota was the cess: The success of an LRSP is de- based on the priorities in the to their road safety program. first state to complete plans l promoting road safety pendent on five critical com- county’s LRSP. Thirty-one of Clackamas County, Ore. de- for all of its 87 counties using awareness ponents: the 39 counties in Washington HSIP funds. These were com- l developing lasting part- l Having a champion: A completed LRSPs and were See SAFE ROADS page 8 8 MAY 30, 2016 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS From SAFE ROADS page 7 When developing a LRSP, read step-by-step guide to de- sive approach to the develop- agencies may confront chal- veloping LRSPs with templates, ment of local road safety plans veloped and adopted its trans- lenges such as a lack of person- tables and other resources. whereas in other states the portation safety action plan in nel or adequate data. Various The manual can be accessed local agencies are taking the 2012. Its plan included roadway organizations and agencies for download: http://safety. initiative to develop these plan safety elements and also exam- may be able to assist in the fhwa.dot.gov/local_rural/ with the DOT having a seat at ined a broader view on traffic creation of an LRSP — Local training/fhwasa12017/. Hard the table. Regardless of who safety including safety culture Technical Assistance Program copies are also available. Visit takes the lead, the ultimate and the linkages between pub- (LTAP) Centers; Regional the FHWA website for addi- goal of developing a LRSP is to lic health and safety. The coun- Planning Organizations; State tional safety resources: save lives and prevent injuries ty is currently developing a con- DOTs. http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ in local communities. cept to incorporate health and Additionally, the FHWA Of- safety into all policies. fice of Safety created Develop- Conclusion (Anderson is the Local and Ru- ing Safety Plans: A Manual for Guide available from FHWA Many state DOTs are now ral Road Program manager in Resources Local Road Owners, an easy to to develop road safety plans embarking on a comprehen- FHWA’s Office of Safety.)

LEN C. HUMPHRIES NACo election credentials PROFILES IN NACo Board of Directors Sheriff process now underway SERVICE Fremont County, Idaho Credentials and voting in- the form. dentials form is also available formation for NACo’s 2016 This year’s election will be via a link on the NACo website election were mailed May 20 to held on Monday, July 25 at 10 at www.naco.org/credentials. Number of years My favorite meal is: the chief elected official (CEO) a.m. during the Business Meet- The deadline to return the form active in NACo: 5 Thanksgiving dinner. and clerk of each member ing at the NACo Annual Con- is Friday, July 1. Years in public My pet peeve is: county. Registered attendees ference in Los Angeles County. Counties will vote on resolu- service: 24 Meetings that run for the Annual Conference also State association of counties tions that set NACo legislation Occupation: long. received a link to credentials presidents will pick up un- and association policy for the Fremont County My motto is: information via email. claimed ballots on the evening coming year. Delegates will Sheriff Be prepared In order to vote, a county before the election unless a also elect NACo officers for the Education: Elec- The last book I read must have paid its 2016 dues county’s CEO indicates on the coming year. The position of trical Engineering was: And the Good and have at least one paid reg- credentials form that the state second vice president is typi- Technology News is by Dana Perino. istration to the Annual Confer- association president cannot cally contested. The hardest thing I’ve ever My favorite movie is: ence. The CEO must indicate pick up the ballot. A county The county must be a NACo done: Run for public office. Battleship. on the credentials form, the may also choose not to cast its member “in good standing” in Three people (living or dead) My favorite music is: names of the voting delegate ballot. order to vote, meaning that a I’d invite to dinner: George James Taylor. and an alternate who is autho- Each member county must county’s dues for 2016 must be Washington, Porter Rockwell, My favorite president is: rized to pick up a county’s vot- return a form, signed by the paid before the voting occurs. Ronald Reagan. Ronald Reagan. ing materials. There can only CEO, in order to vote. In addi- Also, the county must have at A dream I have is to: Learn to My county is a NACo member be one alternate designated on tion to being mailed, the cre- least one paid registration for play piano. because: It helps our small voice the Annual Conference and You’d be surprised to learn get out to a larger audience. have proper credentials. that I: Speak Portuguese CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE AND The credentials form attests fluently. OTHER ELECTION OFFICIALS to a county’s eligibility to vote. The most adventurous thing The most The form contains information I’ve ever done is: Learn to he Credentials Committee ensures that all member counties on the number of votes a coun- rappel. adventurous Tparticipating in the election process, either for NACo officer or ty is eligible to cast, as well as My favorite way to relax is: thing I’ve policy, are able to do so in the most efficient and fair manner. The the identity of the delegate who Read a good book. committee confirms requests for credentials pick-up, helps guaran- is authorized to cast the coun- ever done is: I’m most proud of: My wife tee that the process runs smoothly, resolves credentials disputes ty’s vote. Johanna who is a registered Learn to and assists during the election itself. The number of votes per Nurse-Case Manager. The 2016 Credentials Committee includes Alisha Bell, com- county is determined by the rappel. Every morning missioner, Wayne County, Mich., chair; and members, Tony Hyde, amount of dues it pays. I read: My commissioner, chair, Columbia County, Ore; and Robert Thomas, Dues are based on popula- emails. commissioner, Franklin County, Pa. tion. The NACo bylaws also provide for a parliamentarian, reading clerk Counties with dues of $450 and tally clerk to aid in the election process. These include: Dan to $499 receive one vote Chadwick, executive director, Idaho Association of Counties, par- Counties with dues of $500 liamentarian; Buddy Boe, councilman, St. John the Baptist Parish, to $999 receive two votes La., reading clerk; and Tracey Johnson, commissioner, Washington Counties with dues of $1,000 County, N.C., tally clerk. to $1,499 receive three votes, If you have any questions, please contact Alex Koroknay-Palicz, and so on. membership coordinator at [email protected] or 888.407.NACo The maximum number of (6226) x291. votes a county can receive is 121. COUNTY NEWS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES MAY 30, 2016 9 MONEYMATTERS Money & Politics: a Necessary GOOD? By Joel Griffith Brat, an economics professor by the expending of financial re- respecting an establishment of made these expensive modes of program manager, NACo FSC at Randolph-Macon College in sources by political challengers. religion, or prohibiting the free communication indispensable Virginia — in a primary. In fact, As it so happens, Trump as a exercise thereof; or abridging instruments of effective politi- Do campaigns with more this marked the first time in U.S. newcomer to the political world the freedom of speech, or of the cal speech.” access to cash enjoy an insur- history that a sitting House ma- possesses a celebrity appeal press; or the right of the people The court continued, “Al- mountable advantage over jority leader lost a primary elec- and the ability to dominate the peaceably to assemble, and to though the Act’s contribution competitors? Are incumbents tion. According to opensecrets. news cycle unknown even to petition the Government for a and expenditure limitations and entrenched politicians the org, Cantor spent $41 for every most politicians. But incumbent redress of grievances.” both implicate fundamental sole beneficiaries of large flows $1 spent by Brat in the 2014 pri- politicians typically do enjoy This freedom of speech guar- First Amendment interests, its of political donations? Does the mary leading to Cantor’s defeat. these advantages on a smaller anteed in the Bill of Rights does expenditure ceilings impose Constitution have anything to A shock-and-awe financial war scale. Think about the free me- not merely protect one’s ability significantly more severe re- say about it? You may be sur- chest does not guarantee vic- dia — as opposed to paid media to espouse an opinion. The U.S. strictions on protected free- prised. tory, even for the most able of — generated by town halls, con- Supreme Court has long recog- doms of political expression A look at the 10 most expen- politicians. stituent outreach, legislative ini- nized that spending of finan- and association than do its sive U.S. Senate races of the Which brings us to the cur- tiative, news show appearances cial resources on election cam- limitations on financial contri- 2014 election cycle is revealing. rent presidential campaign sea- and op-ed columns. paigns or issue advocacy is also butions.” Candidates who found them- son fixating the public today. In addition, members of Con- a form of free speech. And as the Supreme Court selves at a spending disadvan- How is it that Donald Trump gress employ communications The seminal case on this recognized in 2010 (Citizens tage actually won six of the 10 came to dominate the 17-per- directors and legislative corre- topic was decided in 1976. In United v. Federal Election Com- races. And don’t be tempted to son Republican Party field de- spondents and photographers Buckley v. Valeo, the Supreme mission), the right to engage chalk those six victories up to spite being greatly outspent to spearhead this outreach — all Court struck down certain lim- in this form of political speech incumbency. Not a single one of individually by other nomina- on the taxpayer’s dime. Often, its on campaign expenditures is not extinguished once you those six underdog wins went to tion contenders? The spend- lesser-known political challeng- imposed by the Federal Elec- choose to exercise that right as an incumbent. ing totals aren’t even close ers rely upon campaign spend- tion Campaign Act. The court part of a group of people rath- In two of those six states, the when accounting for campaign ing to penetrate a media market stated that, “A restriction on er than individually. As Justice seat was open (Georgia and committee and outside group dominated by the presence of the amount of money a person Anthony Kennedy wrote for the Iowa). And in four of those six spending. Jeb Bush, Ted Cruz, the incumbent. or group can spend on polit- majority, “If the First Amend- underdog wins, the victor un- Marco Rubio and Ben Carson With this in mind, it’s no ical communication during a ment has any force, it prohibits seated an incumbent (Louisi- each outspent Donald Trump surprise that some of the most campaign necessarily reduces Congress from fining or jailing ana, North Carolina, Colorado by a wide margin. In aggregate, outspoken advocates of polit- the quantity of expression by citizens, or associations of citi- and Arkansas). Yes, each of the spending on behalf of these four ical campaign spending and restricting the number of issues zens, for simply engaging in po- four incumbents booted out of candidates totaled $10 for each contribution limitations are in- discussed, the depth of their ex- litical speech.” the Senate lost his or her seat to $1 spent in furtherance of the cumbent politicians — the very ploration and the size of the au- The constant appeals for po- a competitor who spent less. Trump campaign. people standing to benefit the dience reached. litical donations, the seemingly The most shocking well-fund- Surely, some of this success most by the voices of opponents “This is because virtually ev- incessant barrage of campaign ed incumbent loss in 2014 — by the grossly outspent Trump being hushed. ery means of communicating ads and the plethora of special and possibly of the past century reflects the enormous twin ben- Fortunately, the Founders — ideas in today’s mass society re- interest groups attempting to — was not a sitting U.S. senator efits of celebrity status and free quite familiar with attempts by quires the expenditure of mon- influence your vote may be tir- in general election; instead, it’s media attention. Often, these the British Crown to silence crit- ey….The electorate’s increas- ing. But as Winston Churchill the defeat of House Majority are the types of advantages en- ics — ratified the First Amend- ing dependence on television, observed, “Democracy is the Leader Eric Cantor to an un- joyed by incumbents — advan- ment of our Constitution: radio, and other mass media worst form of government, ex- derfunded challenger — David tages typically overcome only “Congress shall make no law for news and information has cept for all the others.” 10 MAY 30, 2016 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS Join the Rural Impact County Challenge

In February, NACo and the To sign up to participate in “Rural America amine programs and initiatives USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. White House Rural Council the initiative, please visit the designed to help address the “Eighty-five percent of our launched a new initiative to Rural Impact County Chal- provides the vast needs of rural Americans liv- country’s persistent poverty support counties in combating lenge page at http://www. majority of food, ing in poverty including early counties are in rural America,” chronic rural poverty. naco.org/rural-impact-coun- childhood development, food he added. “Lack of opportu- The initiative calls on any ty-challenge-national-ef- energy and and nutrition, drug and sub- nity for rural kids and families and all counties interested fort-combat-rural-child-pover- environmental stance abuse, and workforce is often compounded by other — or currently engaged — in ty. There you’ll find additional training and development. challenges, including distance combating chronic rural pov- information on the initiative benefits for the “Rural America provides the from health and early learn- erty to share their stories and including a draft resolution, rest of the vast majority of food, energy ing programs, lack of access successes. Participants also which counties are using to be- and environmental benefits to public transportation and receive technical assistance gin taking steps towards tack- country.” for the rest of the country, and higher rates of substance use and additional resources from ling rural poverty. – Sec. Tom Vilsack is the source of nearly 90 per- disorder, among others.” initiative partners to help im- The Rural Impact County cent of renewable water re- For more information, please plement effective policies and Challenge will unite county factors to chronic rural pover- sources, while serving as home contact Arthur Scott, associate practices to address this press- leaders from across the coun- ty. Through this initiative, par- to important service sectors legislative director, at ascott@ ing issue. try to examine contributing ticipants and partners will ex- and manufacturing hubs,” said naco.org or 202.942.4230. NOBCO encourages HIV testing WORD The National Organization KNOWIT, and you will receive • Post pictures of what your CAMPBELL COUNTY, TENN. of Black County Officials, Inc. a text back with a testing site county is doing to fight HIV on SEARCH Created By: Charles Taylor (NOBCO) is highlighting Na- near you. NOBCO’s social media sites: tional HIV Testing Day, June • Call 800.CDC.INFO Facebook: https://www.face- D Q F L O U I E B L U I E L G F Z X A Q 27, as a reminder that knowing (800.232.4636) to ask for free book.com/NOBCOINC; Twit- K T T L D K G X R S T E N B I X J S B V one’s status is important for testing sites in your area, ter: https://twitter.com/NOB- J R J E V A C H T O M M A M W E N R N Q living a long life. It is estimat- • Contact the local health COINC; and p: https://www. M Y A B H B R H N P O L L H F U C M D R ed there are 50,000 new inci- department, and instagram.com/nobco1982/ Y B C P K R D B N D C M D T P L P E U Q dences of HIV each year, and A C K M E P E Q Y Z M S E V H U J J E Z southern states and counties S T S A T T C V H S H E R C I A J H F W are the most effected by high O U B C T U A I I A F D S Q A E M I E M HIV rates. E N O R E A T T B R D O P I A R J Q X B “We can all do our part by B K R U L K R P S F H X R H F Y G K K O spreading the word, by getting F B O H O I J H J M S C I O B F A M B E tested and knowing our status. N E E T F I F L K B A I N X H R E A N U It’s a wonderful way of lead- L A Y R A Q X X Y K N D G I X L E V S C ing by example,” said NOBCO N F O A L X K A K C D Y S O L Q C X J W Chairman Roy Charles Brooks, commissioner, Tarrant County, V V L A N V J C C V E N R I K C U G N V Texas. S D G V J P Y L U L R O V X R R V E I Y The Centers for Disease Q A E M E H S Z T M S X C K P R P H O D Control and Prevention (CDC) H P X X Z U S I N P O V M A P E O V H H has stated that early testing, B P X V H N H M E N N E K Y X C H N N Y linkage to care and retention of X M K A V W L M K E H K B M U X O H S J care could prevent 90 percent of new infections in the United ALDER SPRINGS Unincorporated KNOXVILLE 25 minutes south via States for those who are HIV community Interstate 75 positive. HIV is no longer the ANDERSON One of two counties from LAFOLETTE City near the county’s geographic center death sentence of the pas,t and which Campbell was formed LOUIE BLUIE Annual festival honoring early diagnosis is the key to liv- ARTHUR CAMPBELL Revolutionary musician and artist Howard “Louie ing a healthy life with HIV. war officer, county’s namesake Bluie” Anderson who grew up in the The CDC has suggested CLINCH RIVER Impounded to create county Norris Lake sharing the following informa- NEW MAMMOTH CAVE Federal wild- tion: FIFTEEN Number of county commis- life sanctuary for bats sioners • Use the site locator at NORRIS DAM First project of the https://gettested.cdc.gov and GRACE MOORE Actress and operatic Tennessee Valley Authority soprano who resided in county enter your ZIP code, and the NORRIS DAM STATE PARK Partly JACKSBORO County seat located in Campbell County locator will find a testing site KENTUCKY State line forms county’s near you. WHITLEY Kentucky county to the north northern border • Text your local ZIP code to COUNTY NEWS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES MAY 30, 2016 11

BRIGHTIDEAS CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Maine Coalition ‘CAN’ Reduce Teen Substance Abuse

PROBLEM: 23 percent of With opioid drug abuse much county youths are under age in the news, Blakeman-Pohl said 18; few alcohol and drug pre- it is also a concern. Maine has vention resources were avail- a large elderly population. “Not able to kids in the region. that that is exclusive to having more prescriptions around, but it SOLUTION: Create a coa- is a contributing factor. lition that plans, assesses “We’re really trying to educate and strategizes to address our grandparents on how they youth substance abuse, and can track their medications, en- achieves positive results. couraging them to lock them up and then also to dispose of them properly.” By Charles Taylor CAN was funded in 2010 by senior staff writer a $625,000 five-year DFC grant, Participants in Project Sticker Shock in Cumberland County, Maine, while distributing stickers to providing for the program’s alcohol retailers that remind adults not to enable underage drinking. Photo courtesy of Casco Bay CAN Cumberland County, Maine’s $125,000 annual budget. On the high school kids were above av- to drugs and alcohol, she added. compliance checks by law en- sages are — when they hear that strength of its performance, the erage, but not in a good way. Its efforts have included youth forcement on a regular basis. So this is not good for the develop- program received another five- A 2013 statewide survey volunteers working with local al- they understand that that’s going ing brain … and then they hear, year grant in September 2015 to showed that by 12th grade, stu- cohol retailers in Project Sticker to happen, and they might be however, you can have medical continue its work. dents’ rates of marijuana and Shock, an awareness campaign held accountable should they fail marijuana,” Blakeman-Pohl said. Cumberland County govern- alcohol usage — and misuse of that sends the message, “Because one of the compliance checks. “So it’s a lot of education, a lot ment serves as the fiscal agent for prescription drugs — surpassed You Care about Teens, Don’t Pro- “It’s the kind of system that of law enforcement and parent CAN’s federal and state grants. It the state average: For the towns vide the Means.” builds on itself. Hopefully, we work in schools and communities also provides in-kind staff sup- surveyed in Cumberland Coun- “As far as our retail estab- can continue to see positive that have different youth groups port from its human resources, ty, 42 percent of high school se- lishments,” Blakeman-Pohl ex- change, as we have been seeing,” that are trying to get the message financial, management and IT niors had used alcohol within plained, “they have done more she said. around delaying use. departments. the past 30 days. Statewide, it around training…. They have Since CAN’s inception, the “The longer we can delay use was 37 percent. Maine Integrated Youth Health and have kids get older, it’s been Bright Ideas features notewor- Because of Casco Bay CAN CASCO BAY ALCOHOL Survey showed that the percent- proven that the potential for long- thy and award-winning pro- (Create Awareness Now) that’s VIOLATIONS 2011-2014 age of seventh-through-12th term addiction is decreased.” grams. changing. CAN is a coalition of graders who had used marijuana schools, county and local law en- Number 2011 2014 in the past 30 days had dipped to forcement, parents, youth orga- 14 percent in 2014, down from 16 of minors in 68 44 nizations, health care and treat- possession of percent in 2011. ment providers, religious leaders alcohol And the number of minors and volunteers. It’s funded by a possessing alcohol dropped to GET TO furnishing federal Drug Free Communities 6 6 44 in 2014, down from 68 in 2011. KNOW alcohol to minors ... (DFC) competitive grant. or a place to Instances of illegal transporta- Campbell “It’s a collective of so many consume alcohol tion of alcohol fell to 14, down County, sectors in the community that from 16 over the same period. of illegal come together to work and ef- 16 14 Achieving such results in Tenn. transportations of fect change … and building part- alcohol Maine can be a challenge, Blake- nerships that maybe they never man-Pohl explained. Medical thought of before,” said program marijuana is legal, and a Novem- director Beth Blakeman-Pohl. ber 2016 ballot initiative could (The Casco Bay region compris- legalize pot for recreational use. es several coastal Cumberland In addition, under state law Welcome, Campbell County, Tenn. County towns; Portland is the 16-year-olds can legally drink at Things can get a little batty in Campbell County, Tenn. The New county seat.) home under parental supervi- Mammoth Cave, first mined for saltpeter — the main ingredient in CAN approaches underage sion. Golf courses are permitted gunpowder — during the War of 1812, now provides sanctuary drinking and drug use as a pub- to have “mobile service” bars — lic health problem. It reinforces golf carts or similar vehicles that for the Indian Bat, a federally endangered species. positive messages adults can give sell malt liquor beverages. Formed in 1806, the county named in honor of a Revolutionary kids about avoiding alcohol and It’s an environment can War officer, is north of Knoxville between the Cumberland Plateau drugs by focusing on changing send mixed signals to impres- and the Appalachian Ridge. It backed the Union during the local rules and regulations, me- sionable kids. Civil War, bucking the state’s secession ordinance and dia messaging, and accessibility “They say how conflicting mes- forming the state’s first Union Army unit. 12 MAY 30, 2016 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS the HR Getting to Great in DOCTOR With Phil Rosenberg Human Resources (HR)

urs is a very ing the entire recruiting and staff of the HR function as well Every manager is not response “HR ER” capabilities compli- selecting system based around as key users. only an HR manager within the organization. In the cated and respect for the customers’ time Within one day (yes, real- 2but also, unfortunately majority of cases, all of this can sometimes and expectations. An efficient ly one day!), you can identify or not, a security manager. A be managed and developed hard to un- system will use, but not overly process improvement oppor- thorough security review in the with internal resources. None- derstand depend on technology. tunities and prioritize those organization is very much a theless, much more is needed society. We have both inherit- It will ask every employee opportunities. Within a day part of HR improvement. Once to strengthen security at work Oed it and further compounded involved in recruiting and se- thereafter, an HR business again, this is not a subject only and in the community than the matters by our own behaviors. lecting to remember clearly plan can be drafted with spe- for the HR department, but for ready and responsive law en- In such a situation, we need the days when they, too, were cific accountability laid out for every manager and every em- forcement group. great local government more unemployed or applying for the achievement of milestones ployee. Once again, this area of pro- than ever before. This is es- their first job. They need to re- in the process improvement. In a great many private and cess improvement can begin pecially true when nature and member their own hopes and This “How many? By when?” public organizations, the se- with something on the order our fellow humans regularly dreams as they applied for a business plan can be present- curity function has migrated of a brief, one-day facilitated create serious trouble for us. promotion and imagined how ed to the elected officials and from the law enforcement review of how well the orga- Local government must be at that new job might allow them the internal leaders of the or- department or public works nization is prepared for the its best when things are at their to finally get health insurance ganization for review and ap- to HR. Security is no longer a most likely security problems worst. for their family or their first proval. Once that happens, HR matter of locks and keys, gates — whether the result of poor However, there cannot be home. process improvement is offi- and fences, guard stations and behavior, mechanical failure great county, city or school Reviewing and enhancing cially underway. ID cards. or natural disaster. Thereafter, district governance without the processes of recruitment It includes human logistics; it is a matter of assigning re- great HR. Without great hu- and selection is a great first Local government that is, understanding the in- sponsibilities and developing man resources management step in enhancing HR organi- teraction between human be- and applying our new friend, the liabilities of a local govern- zation-wide. This can be done must be at its best havior and physical security the “How many? By when?” ment will grow continuously. quite simply — conduct a fa- when things are at activities. It involves behavior- program management philos- The best employees will leave, cilitated workshop on process their worst. al assessments of applicants ophy. and the poorest behavior and improvement involving the as well as developing rapid weakest performance will Every current policy in dominate the reputation of the the organization that agency. 3touches on human re- So, what does a local gov- sources needs to be reviewed ernment need to make HR and, as necessary, enhanced or great? Here are the major re- supplemented with new policy quirements. Note that these re- as needed. A classic example is quirements do not cost gigan- the job descriptions. tic amounts of money. They Keeping these documents are not complicated. They do up-to-date may seem like an require commitment, a sense annoying bureaucratic re- of personal and professional quirement. There may well responsibility, and account- be hundreds of these things. ability — no small challenge However, the reality is that a in organizations that crave ex- job description is a core docu- cuse-making and shifting or ment to hold people account- avoiding direct responsibility able, and for a county to be in many cases. A sense of hu- able to defend itself against le- mor helps too! gal challenges. Unfortunately, the sense that job description R-E-S-P-E-C-T is the maintenance is a low priori- foundation of great HR. ty, and frankly just annoying, 1 Identifying who is affect- limits the resources devoted to ed by HR activities (i.e., who this form of maintenance. It is are the stakeholders?) is the really a form of infrastructure start of improvements in this maintenance. key area. Stakeholders in a Sooner or later the staff will government HR function in- wake up to realize that the clude citizens who may apply last time the job descriptions for a job. This means design- were reviewed was prior to the COUNTY NEWS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES MAY 30, 2016 13

Spanish-American War. Job the organization that sooner or On the road in Iowa for county requirements and “essential later will require more of elect- Getting to Great in functions” are no longer val- ed officials’ time and lawyer id or cannot be meaningfully bills to pay. innovations in transportation used by defense attorneys to The elected officials and the support the organization. On top administrators need to un- By Jenna Moran range from analyzing global Human Resources (HR) the other hand, plaintiff law- derstand and “sign on” to the program manager SPEEDREAD economic and shipping trends yers orbiting around the lo- idea that you can’t hold peo- as they affect Iowa farmers and cal government parking lots ple accountable for policies Over the past few years, Exchange explores manufacturers, to rethinking looking for business will smile or behaviors that they don’t technological innovations in evolving transportation how new vehicle technologies broadly at the thought of an know about. Instead, train- transportation have accelerat- technologies can improve residents’ daily outdated HR system. ing excellence will result in a ed at a rapid pace, from con- Counties encourage testing lives. The same is true of review- “take excuses away” approach nected and autonomous vehi- autonomous vehicles on Johnson County is also ing the organization’s policies to increasing accountability cles to open data sourcing to local roads home to the University of Io- on acute liabilities such as that will improve behavior and smart transit. Johnson County, Iowa, a wa’s National Advanced Driv- nondiscrimination, behavior- performance in the workforce. Manufacturers, federal gov- transportation research hub ing Simulator, which research- al propriety, anti-bullying and It will guide considerations ernment leaders, software es transportation safety and ensuring that disabled em- about which employee should developers, auto companies human behavior using a suite ployees have the opportunity be promoted or recognized in and universities are current- and the accountability shared positive ways. Frankly, it will ly imagining and testing new by everyone else. Policy re- also make it easier to effec- ways to optimize transporta- view is a spectacular subject tively take corrective action or tion systems with this integrat- for internal work and does not disciplinary action if necessary ed technology. require the use of outside con- when failures occur. County governments are sultant resources, except per- The four key ingredients in no exception. Counties across haps for the initial determina- this recipe represent “big HR.” the country have begun to tion of what work needs to be They are strategic and have or- take steps to prepare for these done, how to get it done and ganization-wide impacts. Un- changes. how to measure progress. fortunately, organizations that In 2014, Johnson County, are not living in this century Iowa and Fayette County, Ga. The final item to be spend most of their money and passed separate resolutions mentioned is the im- focus on “little HR.” They en- encouraging the testing of 4 portance of training sure that every period is placed autonomous, or self-driving, and employee development. on the piece of paper properly vehicles on county-owned Matt Smith drives a mini-simulator, under the instruction of Tim Helping all employees realize and all 5,000 procedures are roads. Both saw an opportuni- Brown, a University of Iowa researcher. Photo by Jenna Moran they are essential to the agen- rigorously adhered to. ty to court manufacturers and operations. of driving simulators and in- cy’s success does not happen Certainly, the best, the software developers not only Attendees learned about the strumented vehicles. by itself. Nor does it happen if brightest and the most inno- to prepare their roads for the rapidly changing field of smart “By staying ahead of these employees are dragged kicking vative HR staff members don’t future but also to boost their technologies and began to get a trends, county leaders can and screaming into a 19-hour want to work in a place that is local economies. sense of what next steps might better align strategic county seminar with 4,000 PowerPoint essentially a giant filing cabi- Other counties across the be good to take. Speakers in- investments in local transpor- slides full only of words in tiny net. Soon after their employ- nation have taken the initiative cluded representatives from tation systems to improve both fonts. Short, compelling and ment they will come to recog- to implement their own con- the Michigan Department of goods and passenger move- meaningful training activities nize this and begin planning nected and autonomous ve- Transportation and Maricopa ment and to support local and are required. Most can be de- for their honorable exit to a hicle test beds such as Contra County, Ariz., Fayette County, national economic competive- veloped in-house by members place that better appreciates Costa Transportation Authori- Ga., and Contra Costa County, ness,” said Bill Peterson, Iowa of the very competent staff, the value of their profession ty’s GoMentum Station in Con- Calif. State Association of Counties which I know exists in organi- and their personal skills. tra Costa County, Calif. and the Brian Desloge, NACo first executive director. zations throughout the coun- A final note: Employees who Anthem Connected Vehicle vice president, remarked, “It’s The peer exchange was de- try. are skilled, knowledgeable and Test Bed in Maricopa Coun- always beneficial for county veloped with the support of Sometimes presentation respectful of each other and of ty, Ariz. Both seek to develop elected officials and staff to the Federal Highway Admin- skills will require an outside the citizens they serve — and safer, more reliable transpor- learn about what is going on in istration. As part of this work facilitator or trainer but this who support the vision of their tation efficiency by reducing other parts of the country. This with FHWA, NACo recently need not be and should not be leaders — will propel a local congestion. focus on lessons learned and released a publication, Con- an ongoing huge line item in government to more success On May 12 and 13, NACo best practices is something I nected Counties: Tech Innova- the budget. It is also possible to than it has ever had before and gathered county elected offi- want to continue in my presi- tions in Transportation, as well work well and cost-effectively a better ability to defend itself cials, county professional staff, dential year.” as offering a webinar, Keeping with local resources such as against the evils of our “age of state association staff, federal Iowa was the ideal location Counties Moving: Technolog- universities and state colleges. liability.” and state agency officials, and to hold a peer exchange, since ical Innovations in Transpor- The training needs begin Your mission, dear readers, industry experts from across the Iowa Department of Trans- tation. with top management. If top is to go forth and make HR the country in Johnson Coun- portation, under the guidance Through case studies, both management is not convinced spectacular in the organiza- ty, Iowa, to explore counties’ of Iowa DOT Director Paul of these resources give an over- that compelling training is a re- tion. Know that you don’t have role in leveraging technolog- Trombino, is pursuing a wide view of how counties are using quirement for anything else to to spend a lot of money or dou- ical and data innovations to range of strategies to improve new technologies to improve be improved, there is an even ble staff size to make all of this improve local and regional operations and promote Io- transportation systems and more fundamental problem in happen. transportation planning and wa-based businesses. These ready them for the future. 14 MAY 30, 2016 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS

NEWS nance may very well be permis- sible,” wrote Judge Diarmuid FROM O’Scannlain in the court’s 2–1 ACROSS opinion. “Thus far, however, the county has failed to justify the burden it has placed on the right of law-abiding citizens to THE NATION purchase guns.” Dissenting from the ma- jority, Judge Barry Silverman cording to Alaska Dispatch said, “What we’re dealing with News. The Donlin Gold Mine here is a mundane zoning dis- project would become the pute dressed up as a Second borough’s economic engine, Amendment challenge.” say those helping to draft a l Voters in San Francis- borough charter. A confed- co will get to decide this fall eration of 10 Alaska Native whether to lower the voting villages owns the land. age to 16 for local elections. ALASKA Supporters say one ben- TheSAN FRANCISCO Board of Villages in the Yukon-Kus- efit of forming a borough Supervisors voted 9–2 to place kokwim Delta, site of a pro- would be local bonding au- a charter amendment on the posed gold mine, are consid- thority, making the area less November ballot, sfgate.com ering whether to become the dependent on state funding reported. state’s 20th borough. for new schools. Supervisor John Avalos, a MICHIGAN Free Press. Fewer than 3,000 The delta area in south- It could take developers proponent of the measure, Vroom, vroom…. A rare were ever built. west Alaska is among the up to three years to decide said, “Regardless of whether 1991 GMC Syclone pickup Also for sale, a low-mileage state’s poorest regions, ac- whether to build the mine. this measure is approved or truck with fewer than 14,000 1980 Camaro with a Corvette not, [San Francisco] is starting miles on it sold for $23,500 at engine; it went for $9,300. a trend that will happen across this year’s OAKLAND COUN- Both were both were used for ARIZONA become federally protected the country, where cities like TY auction. Enthusiasts call years in the county’s DARE The U.S. Fish and Wildlife during the next 30 years. ours will consider whether it the “quickest truck ever drug-prevention program and Service (FWS) has approved young people can vote.” built,” according to the Detroit for parades. PIMA COUNTY for a Section CALIFORNIA If the amendment passes, 10 (endangered species inci- l A federal appeals court San Francisco could become dental ‘take’) permit for the has overturned a lower court the first major U.S. city to lower county’s species conservation ruling, subsequently allowing its voting age. county has awarded a $25,000 in the county. plan. a lawsuit to proceed that chal- grant to help the homeless, us- Pueblo County Commis- Under the Endangered Spe- lenges ALAMEDA COUNTY’s COLORADO ing funds from fines assessed sioner Sal Pace said the corps cies Act, it’s normally illegal to gun control ordinance, which PUEBLO COUNTY contin- against marijuana growers and isn’t “just putting people on take — that is, “harm, harass, bans gun stores from opening ues to use legalized marijua- sellers. a bus and sending them 300 pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, within 500 feet of residential na-related revenue to address The grant went to the Pueblo miles away from here. They are kill, trap, capture or collect” neighborhoods, Reuters re- social needs. First there were Area Law Enforcement Chap- working with stranded individ- — threatened and endangered ported. college scholarships funded lain’s Corps to provide free bus uals to help reunite them with species. However, the FWS “Alameda County’s ordi- by pot tax revenues. Now the vouchers to homeless people family members that have the does in limited cases, issue Section 10 permits to take fed- erally listed and candidate spe- COLORADO cies that are “incidental to, but Earlier this month, EL PASO COUNTY Parks unveiled not the purpose of, otherwise the Bear Creek Dog Park Memorial at a ceremony in Bear lawful activities.” Creek Regional Park, home to a county dog park. The Bear “The permit provides the Creek Dog Park Memorial will provide the opportunity for county with a streamlined pro- dog owners to memorialize their best friend at one the pet’s cedure for compliance with favorite places. the Endangered Species Act,” The memorial consists of a granite monument with steel County Administrator Chuck dog silhouettes on top, located near the main entrance. Dog Huckelberry said. It relies on owners can purchase personalized plaques to be placed on conservation measures the the monument in memory of their deceased canine com- county has taken over the past panions. Money raised from the plaques will fund improve- 15 years, such as the acquisi- ments to the dog park. tion and management of work- “The memorial is a unique amenity that adds to the over- ing ranches and county parks. all quality of the dog park,” said Dana Nordstrom, El Paso The permit covers up to County community outreach coordinator. “It’s a special 36,000 acres of impacts to nine touch for all of the people and pets who come and play.” currently listed species and another 35 species that could COUNTY NEWS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES MAY 30, 2016 15

CUYAHOGA COUNTY is add- ing auto title transfer services OREGON to one of its driver’s license bu- l Thirteen Oregon coun- and receive about 78 per- reaus next year. ties will receive $129,664 cent of funds awarded, the The Plain Dealer report- from the Oregon Wolf Dep- ag department said, and this ed the county loses roughly redation Compensation and year KLAMATH COUNTY $800,000 a year in title fees Financial Assistance joined Wallowa and Uma- because its residents opt to go County Block tilla as the only counties fil- other counties’ transfer offices Grant Program, ing claims for confirmed or that offer better customer ser- administered by the probable livestock losses in vice. Oregon Department o f 2015. l Hopes to merge Dayton Agriculture. Despite no reported live- and MONTGOMERY COUN- The money will reimburse stock losses, MAL- TY have been dashed by a new ranchers for losses due HEUR COUN- city line. to wolf predation. WAL- TY was awarded The city recently annexed LOWA, UMATILLA and $495. JACKSON land in GREENE COUNTY, BAKER counties see the COUNTY received the same and state law would make most wolf activity in Oregon amount. it very difficult to pull off a Jamall Martin beams at his good luck. His was the winning bid merger, now that the city for a rare GMC Syclone pickup at Oakland County, Mich.’s annual auction. Photo courtesy of Oakland County, Mich. spans two counties. The group Dayton Together has with- take control of its veter- Offices (VSO) are under the drawn its proposal. ans services from the auspices of counties. “Car enthusiasts love to try to mer police cars and county Merging jurisdictions that state’s Department of Vet- Board members also want get a good deal to add to their utility vehicles were also on span multiple counties is espe- erans Affairs. state lawmakers to restore the collections,” County Executive offer, including a front-end cially difficult and complicated The County Board of Super- original intent of a 1973 mea- L. Brooks Patterson said of the loader. Bidders also vied for and essentially would require visors has approved two reso- sure that had offered counties annual event. “Plus, there’s a mountain bike and a pair a municipality to detach itself lutions asking the Legislature state aid to help pay for the sal- something for everyone from of Ralph Lauren boots. from the overlapping coun- to clarify state law to ensure ary of a VSO, the Portage Daily electronics to power tools.” The auction brought in ty territory, the Dayton Daily that county Veterans Service Register reported. The event wasn’t all muscle over $500,000, county offi- News reported. cars and trucks. Dozens of for- cials said. OREGON (News From Across the Nation l Voters in HOOD RIV- is compiled by Charles Taylor ER COUNTY blocked a $50 and Charlie Ban, senior staff resources to support them and connecting local women with million Nestle plant on the writers. If you have an item for get them back on their feet.” government services. Columbia River Gorge by ap- News From, please email ctay- The office will promote -ser proving a ban on commercial [email protected] or cban@naco. MINNESOTA vices and programs through- water bottling with 69 percent org.) DOUGLAS COUNTY is loos- out the county that are aimed of the vote. ening its restrictions on lake- at women’s education, em- The measure restricts the shore development, in line ployment, social life, health production and transporta- with a state law passed last year care, addiction, aging and sex- tion of bottled water to less that eliminates more restrictive ual violence, the New Jersey than 1,000 gallons a day from local laws to protect lakes. Advance reported. any Hood River County water “With the passage back in source. Nestle’s plant was pro- NEW YORK July, we can no longer admin- NORTH DAKOTA jected to bottle more than 100 The WYOMING COUN- ister the minimum setback MCKENZIE COUNTY, cur- million gallons of water a year, TY Rural Arts Initiative’s where it’s beyond the state rently the top oil-producer in OPB FM News reported. Microenterprise Program minimum setback,” county the state, has pushed for state l GRANT and KLAMATH is offeringgrants to coun- Zoning Director Steve Ran- health officials to consider county voters rejected bal- ty artists and artisans es- nenberg told the Duluth News opening a satellite office in the lot measures to overturn the tablish or enhance their Tribune. county to more closely monitor counties’ bans on recreation- businesses. The new standards would the oil and gas industry, ac- al marijuana cultivation, pro- Grants can be used to reduce setback restrictions on cording to the Dickenson Press. cessing and sales. help pay for the cost of most lakes in the county, al- The issue was prompted by When the state legalized studios or “maker spaces,” low smaller lot sizes and could continuing concerns about marijuana in 2014, counties rent for gallery space or lead to additional develop- disposal of radioactive byprod- and cities were given the op- other display venues, art ment pressures, he added. ucts of oil production in the tion to ban marijuana pro- supplies and equipment, state’s first landfill, located in duction and sales if at least 55 access to e-commerce NEW JERSEY the county. percent of the voters opposed opportunities and other A one-person division of the legalization. costs involved in creating UNION COUNTY Department OHIO art for the commercial of Human Services will be- l Hoping to draw some of WISCONSIN market. come the Office on Women, its residents to use its services, COLUMBIA COUNTY may 16 MAY 30, 2016 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS

NACo’s Annual Conference and Exposition FEATURED SPEAKERS

Six-time NBA Record-breaking champion, author, athlete, sports filmmaker and broadcaster and columnist author

KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR DIANA NYAD JULY 22-25, 2016 Register Today! Los Angeles County, Long Beach, Calif. www.naco.org/Annual