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NACo unveiled NACo stresses its juvenile the impact detention reform of unfunded project during mandates to the the 2005 Leg. House Reform Conference. Committee. See page 2. See page 7. Vol. 37 No. 5 • March 14, 2005 Research News Living wage looks at spring “The wisdom to know and concept alive training and the courage to defend the and well in whether it’s public interest” 26 counties a winner for nationwide. counties. See page 9. See page 11. National Association of Counties • Washington, D.C. www.naco.org • www.countynews.org

Photo by David Hathcox County offi cials who served in the Vietnam War reach out to help fellow veterans up to the stage as they assemble for a group photo with Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). McCain later addressed Leg- islative Conference delegates on immigration reform. CDBG, unfunded mandates claim spotlight during 2005 NACo Legislative Conference Speakers and delegates sported U.S. Attorney General Alberto leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) eliminate the COPS (Community A complete report on the 2005 Legis- “Save CDBG” buttons and NACo’s Gonzales defended the U.S.A. Pa- pledged her colleagues’ support for Oriented Policing Service) program, lative Conference will appear in the Board of Directors issued policy triot Act and urged delegates to sup- retaining the CDBG program. Sen. Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) said, “If I March 28 issue of County News. strongly opposing the proposed de- port its renewal. Health and Human John McCain (R-Ariz.) also pledged sound frustrated or a little bit angry, mise of the Community Development Services Secretary Michael Leavitt his support for a “competitive” CDBG it’s because I am. We are shirking our U.S. Attorney General Block Grant program. said Medicaid was a large enough program “without earmarks.” responsibility to local offi cials.” Alberto Gonzales In the most well attended Legisla- problem to see, but a small enough House Government Reform Conference workshops drew Attorney General Alberto Gon- tive Conference in recent memory, problem to fi x now. Committee Chair Tom Davis (R- standing-room-only audiences and zales defended the U.S.A. Patriot federal budget proposals and their Housing and Urban Development Va.) alerted delegates about his ef- focused on issues as wide ranging as Act and said local governments that impact on county governments took Secretary Alphonso Jackson said local forts to review and close loopholes public safety interoperability and so- have passed resolutions opposing front and center stage along with a regulations are barriers to the develop- in the Unfunded Mandates Reform cial services in the 109th Congress. the Patriot Act were misinformed contingency of administration and ment of affordable housing. Act of 1995. And in an angry attack Following are some highlights of Capitol Hill leaders. From Capitol Hill: House Minority on the administration’s proposal to conference speeches and workshops. ■ See CONFERENCE on page 2 2 County News, March 14, 2005 HUD secretary calls for federal and local housing regulatory reform

■ CONFERENCE from page 1 said. Toward that goal the U.S.A. ground between Republicans and Patriot Act has “already protected Democrats on the issue, including or uninformed; and urged delegates our safety.” He said that powers the reduction of prescription drug to support its reauthorization during given under the act to law enforce- costs and lowering administrative remarks at the Opening General ment were instrumental in the quick costs. Session. arrest of Lisa Montgomery for the “There is the time in the life Government’s primary goal murder of Bobbie Jo Stinnett and of every problem where it’s big is to provide security, Gonzales the kidnapping of her unborn child. enough that you can see it, but small “The Patriot Act helped save one enough that you can solve it. And baby’s life” and has been critical that’s where we are with Medicaid,” to the nation’s most important suc- Leavitt said. cesses combating terrorism. He took on critics of the act, say- Housing and Urban ing it had not caused a single case Development Secretary of civil rights abuse and urged del- Alphonso Jackson egates to come forward if they were Housing and Urban Develop- aware of any abuses. He told del- ment Secretary Alphonso Jackson egates of his belief that “we should discussed the barriers to affordable be free to question the exercise of housing and what county govern- power by our government.” He also ments can do, in coordination said he would “not support changes with HUD, to ensure the dream of [to the act] that would make America homeownership for all Americans. Photo by David Hathcox more vulnerable.” According to Jackson, regulatory NACo Second Vice President Eric Coleman and Gwen Ifi ll, moderator and barriers are one of the key factors managing editor of Washington Week, share a backstage moment before Ifi ll’s Health and Human driving up the cost of homes. speech at the Opening General Session. Services Secretary “We believe that we must eradi- Mike Leavitt cate these kinds of barriers,” Jackson remove the regulatory barriers at the are growing out of control,” Jackson Mike Leavitt, secretary of the said. “As secretary, I’m asking HUD local level.” said. “It is simply unsustainable in its Photo by David Hathcox Department of Health and Hu- to remove all of the regulatory barri- Jackson also addressed his con- current form. We must bring Section Attorney General Alberto Gonzales man Services, spoke to delegates ers that impede you from doing your cerns about the sustainability of the 8 under control.” urges delegates to support the U.S.A. about Medicaid. Leavitt addressed job and when we do that, we’re go- Section 8 voucher program. Patriot Act. what he saw as areas of common ing to come to you and ask you to “It’s a fact that Section 8 costs ■ See CONFERENCE on page 3 NACo receives juvenile detention grant from Casey Foundation

BY LESLEY BUCHAN detention centers, many operating improved admissions screening suited to other non-secure settings: PROJECT MANAGER above capacity. The Casey Founda- and addressing the disproportionate improved case processing: and a NACo launched its new project tion saw an opportunity for change number of minority youth in juvenile reduced detention rate for minority on juvenile detention reform during and became involved in juvenile detention, among others. Historically, youth. Multnomah County reports a a packed meeting of the Justice and system reform. juvenile justice systems have relied cumulative savings of more than $10 Public Safety Steering Committee According to Lubow, more on anecdotal information and not million in real taxpayer savings after at NACo’s 2005 Legislative than one-third of youth in juvenile hard facts and evidence to measure implementing JDAI strategies. Conference. detention are in for status offenses the success of reforms and improve- “We are very proud of what we NACo recently received a grant and technical violations. These are ments. have achieved in keeping kids out from the Annie E. Casey Foundation non-criminal behaviors, such as be- The Casey Foundation emphasiz- of unnecessary detention and redi- to conduct outreach and education to ing “unruly” or missing curfew. “The es data collection and demonstrable recting them to more appropriate county offi cials on the Juvenile De- kids we are talking about are not the outcomes as critical components in services. These services are a much tention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI). ones committing violent crimes,” measuring the success of the counties healthier option for these youth,” The Casey Foundation has heavily in- said Lubow. they have funded to implement JDAI said Lisa Naito, Multnomah County vested resources in developing this Lubow went on to discuss how reform strategies. commissioner and chair of NACo’s model of juvenile justice reform, juvenile detention has not been driven Lubow highlighted the success Justice and Public Safety Courts which has been piloted in several by juvenile crime rates, but by the backed by data of three county JDAI Subcommittee. counties throughout the country. lack of coordination among system Photo by Donald Murray models: Cook County, Ill., Santa Cruz JDAI is currently being replicated The results from these county stakeholders and poor admissions Multnomah County, Ore. Commission- County, Calif. and Multnomah Coun- in several states and 50 counties na- JDAI project sites have been im- screening about who should and er Lisa Naito reports on her county’s ty, Ore. Upon rigorous evaluation, all tionally. pressive. Members of the Justice should not be brought into juvenile successful experience with the Juvenile three of these counties demonstrated NACo will be working to get and Public Safety Steering Com- detention. Detention Alternatives Initiative. substantial reductions in juvenile information on JDAI out to the mittee were the fi rst to hear from Statistics show that while juve- detention and juvenile crime. In broader county audience through the Casey Foundation on why this nile crime was actually decreasing, The objectives of JDAI are to: particular, Multnomah County had various types of technical assistance program is a model for success. juvenile detention increased. More- • eliminate inappropriate or un- historic problems with overcrowding activities. NACo will produce and Bart Lubow, director, Program over, there is a lingering effect on necessary use of secure detention in its juvenile detention facility prior distribute a publication on JDAI for High Risk Youth, Casey Foun- kids who are detained in detention • minimize failures for juveniles to engaging in JDAI reforms. geared for county offi cial members dation, presented an overview of the unnecessarily. Studies indicate they to appear in court and reduce delin- Post-JDAI, the county now has as one of those activities. JDAI program and highlighted the are more likely to experience physical quent behavior the lowest juvenile crime rate that it improvements seen in those counties and mental health problems and will • invest in successful reform has ever seen. Other positive effects (For more information on NACo’s that served as demonstration sites. likely experience lower employment strategies, and for the Multnomah County juvenile juvenile detention reform project, Lubow described the national rates and earnings. • improve conditions in existing system include: improved objective please contact Lesley Buchan at crisis that emerged around juvenile “It was this kind of information detention facilities. screening measures, which have [email protected] or 202/942- detention in the early 1990s. There that resulted in the design of JDAI,” JDAI’s core strategies also focus resulted in reduced admissions for 4261.) was serious overcrowding in juvenile said Lubow. on collaboration, reliance on data, those juveniles who would be better County News, March 14, 2005 3 Legislative Conference workshops cover wide range of topics

■ CONFERENCE from page 2 let me know,” McCain said. “You are can never control it, you can just Lee said there are currently It was an effort to slow the imposi- the ones that deal with these issues stop it from growing,” Biden said. several pieces of legislation either tion of federally-mandates costs on House Minority Leader every day and I need to hear from “The idea that we can ever spend less introduced or about to be intro- local governments. Nancy Pelosi you.” money on crime is foolhardy, danger- duced; and that the Judiciary will In some respects the law has House Minority Leader Nancy ous and counterproductive.” work to take the best pieces of all worked, said Teri Gullo, chief of the Pelosi (D-Calif.) characterized the House Government Reform the legislation and craft it into one State and Local Government Costs administration’s FY06 budget pro- Committee Chairman Also addressing delegates was comprehensive bill. Unit at the Congressional Budget posal as being “out of balance” with Tom Davis (R-Va.) Gwen Ifi ll, moderator and manag- Nicholas Coleman, professional Offi ce (CBO). “There is more in- the values cherished by the American Rep. Tom Davis, an original ing editor of Washington Week, who staff member, Subcommittee on formation on mandates available to people, and said of the administra- sponsor in 1995 of the Unfunded talked about her experiences work- Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Congress,” she emphasized. Yet, not tion’s proposed ing inside the Washington press corps Human Resources for the House, re- all mandates have large direct costs “Strengthening and how, even after all these years lated his personal experiences with as defi ned by the law; not all costs American Com- of covering politics, she’s still an meth as a child in San Diego County. result from mandates; and many munities” initia- admitted political junkie. “I can be “There were kids that were in my big pieces of legislation, such as tive: “They can skeptical about almost everything, elementary school who were some of the Help America Vote Act, are ex- call it what they but I try not to be cynical about the brightest, smartest kids and then cluded entirely from its provisions, want, but they anything,” Ifi ll said. they got involved with meth in middle Gullo explained. are not soften- school and by high school, they were There is also the post-September ing the blow Workshops gone,” Coleman said. “It’s amazing 11th world where local govern- to American how this drug has spread. Soon, there ments incur costs every time the communities.” Fighting the Threat won’t be one corner of the country threat level is raised and local law The Strength- of Methamphetamine that is not affected by meth.” enforcement is expected to be the ening America’s Dozens of delegates attended a eyes and ears of federal agencies, Communities workshop about the ongoing battle Strengthening the said Keith Asbrook, chief counsel initiative would in this country to fi ght the threat of Unfunded Mandates to the House Government Reform replace CDBG methamphetamines (meth). Repre- Reform Act Committee. “No law exists, but and 17 other sentatives from both the House and Delegates attending the Un- there’s still a ‘mandate’ when the domestic de- the Senate were on hand to talk about funded Mandates Reform work- federal government asks [for more velopment pro- the surprisingly bi-partisan efforts to shop were more surprised than not police presence] not through statute, grams, slated combat this growing problem. as they learned that many of their but through operations.” for elimination, “Democrats and Republicans, most egregious mandated costs are Participants learned that several consolidation one thing we can all agree on is not technically “unfunded” under Congressional leaders, most with or transfer to the that meth is a nonpartisan issue,” the terms of the Unfunded Mandates strong local or state government Department of said Marcia Lee, senior advisor, Reform Act (UMRA). ties, hope to shore up the unfunded Commerce. Committee on the Judiciary. “And UMRA, which celebrates its mandates law and are embarking Pelosi high- because of this unilateral support, 10th anniversary this year, was on a campaign to raise the issue’s lighted the in this Congress, we hope to move the fi rst piece of legislation passed visibility in Congress. House Demo- forward comprehensive legislation under then-House Leader Newt crats’ primary on meth.” Gingrich’s Contract with America. ■ See CONFERENCE on page 4 domestic policy issues: strength- Photo by David Hathcox ening Medicaid Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) speaks to delegates on the issue of and Social Secu- unfunded mandates at the Opening General Session. rity, preserving CDBG, a “robust” highway spending Mandates Reform Act, said it was bill and homeland security. time to review the legislation, which often falls short in protecting county Sen. John McCain governments from federal mandates. (R-Ariz.) Davis said he is committed to “make Sporting a “Save CDBG” button, the changes we need to do to give Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) voiced local governments the money his support for the reauthorization they deserve,” during his remarks of the CDBG program, but also March 6. cautioned that for the program to Federal mandates, Davis said, succeed the level of earmarks in have required county governments the program need to dramatically to expend resources for programs that decrease. Washington considers important, but “Earmarking has got to stop, that are not necessarily important to otherwise we will not have a level local governments. playing fi eld and our tax dollars will be spent based on who has the most Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) political clout and that’s not fair,” Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.), rank- McCain said. ing member of the Senate Judiciary McCain also touched on the hot Committee, spoke about the success button issue of illegal immigration. of his 1994 crime bill whose pro- He noted that illegal immigration grams, especially COPS, now face in the United States needs to be elimination in the administration’s addressed sooner rather than later budget. He pointed out that despite an and it is not just a problem affecting increase in the number of individuals border states. Because of this urgency, within the age range of likely violent he urged county offi cials to contact offenders, the crime rate has declined his offi ce. under the bill. “If you’ve got a good idea, please “Crime is like cutting grass: You 4 County News, March 14, 2005 Board adopts interim policy positions Many voice NACo opposition to budget cuts PRO FILES In conjunction with the Legis- comprehensive legislation to reduce and enable that American Agriculture lative Conference, NACo’s policy the use of methamphetamine. provides at least 25 percent of the In Service... steering committees meet to con- total energy, including wind and so- sider policy resolutions that deal Support the Inclusion of Hay lar, consumed in the United States with issues now current on Capitol as a Program Crop in the Next by 2025 while continuing to produce Terry Hill. If adopted, the resolutions are Farm Bill abundant, safe and affordable food forwarded to NACo’s Board of Policy: NACo encourages and fi ber. Speiker Directors as recommended interim Congress to provide a subsidy for policy positions. If approved by the hay production to assist agriculture Opposition to Reduced Director of Intergovernmental Board, the interim policy resolutions communities prevent soil erosion and Funding for the U.S. Department Relations and guide NACo’s advocacy work until improve water quality. of Agriculture the Annual Business meeting when Policy: Urge Congress to reject Special Initiatives the interim resolutions are put for- Importation of Canadian Beef the Bush administration’s proposal to Ramsey County, Minn. ward to NACo membership for fi nal Policy: NACo urges the U.S. De- cut USDA funding for rural develop- adoption. partment of Agriculture to reconsider ment, conservation and commodity NACo Board of Directors Following is a list of the interim its decision to reopen the Canadian payments. policy resolutions adopted by the border to live cattle younger than Number of years active in NACo: 12 Board. 30 months on March 7, 2005. Community and Years in Public Service: 30 Furthermore, if USDA continues Economic Development Occupation: Director of intergovernmental relations and special Agriculture and to pursue reopening the border to Canadian live cattle, NACo calls Support the Preservation of initiatives Rural Affairs for the implementation of a pilot Essential Tax Code Incentives Education: Undergraduate degree in social work and graduate Central American Free Trade country-of-origin-labeling program that Stimulate Investment of degree in public administration Agreement (CAFTA) for Canadian cattle. Affordable Housing The hardest thing I’ve ever done: I don’t think that I’ve done Policy: NACo urges Congress Policy: NACo urges the it yet. to oppose the Central America Free Support for Signifi cant President’s Tax Reform Coalition Three people (living or dead) I’d invite to dinner: My mother Trade Agreement (CAFTA). Expansion of American to preserve, protect and expand and aunt (who are deceased) and my husband (who isn’t, but whom Agriculture’s Role in Energy existing tax code incentives that they never met). Support Reduction Production stimulate investment in affordable of Methamphetamine Use Policy: NACo supports com- A dream I have is to: Continue to fi nd meaningful outlets for my Policy: NACo supports prehensive legislation to encourage ■ See RESOLUTIONS on page 5 energy and opportunities for public engagement as I grow older. You’d be surprised to learn that I: Survived a very serious heart attack at age 51, with no previous history of heart disease and no warning symptoms. Workshops spotlight recidivism, health The most adventurous thing I’ve ever done is: Bare-boat sailing ■ by its intended audience members. including a West Nile Virus warn- in the Greek Klyclides Islands. CONFERENCE from page 3 Language barriers, developmental ing directed toward Spanish-speakers My favorite way to relax is: Read in a quiet and comfy place. Breaking the Cycle or learning disabilities, advanced age and a more accessible version of the I’m most proud of: Being as old as I am. for Ex-offenders or stress can affect health literacy. surgeon general’s report on smoking. Every morning I read: The political news in The Washington Research shows that about two- According to Lewis, people who “Everyone appreciates clear, to-the- Post; and as many local papers as I fi nd time to read, especially thirds of released county and state suffer from low health literacy are point writing,” Lewis said. the editorial and local news sections. prisoners will be rearrested within the victims of health disparities, since three years of their release. Such high they are unable to have equal access (Beverly Schlotterbeck, executive My favorite meal is: Salmon and pasta of almost any kind. recidivism rates translate into billions to useful health information. editor; M. Mindy Moretti, senior My pet peeve is: I try not to have pet peeves because they seem of wasted tax dollars and thousands Lewis reviewed various CDC writer; Dan Miller, staff writer; and like a waste of both my time and energy. of new crimes each year. documents intended to reach out to Allison Mall, editorial assistant, My motto is: I don’t have one. At the workshop on prisoner re- populations with low health literacy, contributed to this report.) The last book I read was: The most currently released P.D. James entry programs, participants learned (Inspector Dahglish) mystery. that NACo’s Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee is working with a My favorite movie is: The English Patient. bi-partisan group of senators and con- “The wisdom to know and the courage to defend the public interest” My favorite music is: Any jazz and blues and “old fashioned” gressmen to pass the Second Chance rock and roll. Act of 2004. This bill aims to reduce President: Angelo Kyle • Publisher: Larry Naake Public Affairs Director: Tom Goodman • Executive Editor: Beverly Anne Schlotterbeck My favorite president is: John F. Kennedy. recidivism, increase public safety and Senior Staff Writer: M. Mindy Moretti • Staff Writer: Dan Miller help states and communities to better Graphic Artist: Jack Hernandez • Editorial Assistant: Allison Mall

address the growing population of ex- Advertising Staff: offenders in communities by focusing Allison Mall: Job Market/Classifi eds representative County News invites on getting ex-offenders jobs, housing, Beverly Schlotterbeck: national accounts representative mental health and substance abuse (202) 393-6226 • FAX (202) 393-2630

Letters to the treatment and family counseling. Published biweekly except August by: National Association of Counties Research Foundation, Inc. 440 First Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001 (202) 393-6226 • FAX (202) 393-2630 Why Health Literacy E-mail: [email protected] • Online address: www.countynews.org Editor Matters to Counties If you have a compli ment, The appearance of paid advertisements in Coun ty News in no way implies support or en dorsement by the National As- Sonya Lewis, health communica- so ci a tion of Counties for any of the products, services or messages advertised. Pe ri od i cals post age paid at Wash ing ton complaint or differ ent point of tion specialist for the Centers for Dis- D.C. and other offi ces. view, let us know. ease Control and Prevention (CDC), Mail subscriptions are $100 per year for non-mem bers. $60 per year for non-members pur chas ing mul ti ple cop ies. Ed u ca tion al in sti tu tion rate, $50 per year. Member county sup ple men tal sub scrip tions are $20 each. Send payment with Please in clude a phone num ber with your letter. Mail, fax or spoke to delegates on the emerging order and address chang es to NACo, 440 First St. N.W., Wash ing ton, D.C. 20001. e-mail to: County News, NACo, 440 First St., N.W., Washing ton, DC issue of health literacy. Health lit- POSTMASTER: send address changes to Coun ty News, 440 First St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001 20001-2080; (202) 393-2630; [email protected]. eracy, essentially, is whether or not (USPS 704-620) • (ISSN: 0744-9798) information is accessible and usable © National Association of Counties Research Foundation, Inc. County News, March 14, 2005 5 NACo resolution strongly urges Congress to preserve CDBG program

■ RESOLUTIONS from page 4 Development Program equal, quality health care to all indi- governments in the treatment of juvenile and family court system Policy: NACo urges Congress viduals, regardless of race, ethnicity, these health conditions. due to abuse or neglect. ownership and rental housing for low to fund the Resource Conservation age, gender, income, insurance status, and moderate income Americans. and Development Program within the rural or urban geographic location, Human Services Reauthorization of the Older These include tax-exempt housing FY06 Agriculture Appropriations bill sexual orientation, housing status or and Education Americans Act bonds and Low-Income Housing at $54 million. occupation. Policy: NACo urges an increase in Tax Credits. Court Appointed Special the authorization and appropriations Environment, Energy Rising Cost of Prescription Advocates levels for all programs in the Older Strong Support for Community and Land Use Medication Policy: NACo supports a 5-year Americans Act. Additionally, NACo Development Block Grants Policy: NACo is concerned reauthorization of the Court Ap- supports a new Title VIII to facilitate Policy: NACo strongly urges Con- Support Efforts on Liquefi ed that the advertising of prescription pointed Special Advocates (CASA) community planning and eliminat- gress to preserve the CDBG program Natural Gas Platform Closed- drugs in mass media formats (tele- program under the Violence Against ing the age requirement for relatives within the Department of Housing and Loop Heating vision, radio, magazines other than Women Act at a level of $24 mil- raising children within the National Urban Development (HUD) and pro- Policy: Because current technical professional medical journals, etc.) lion. NACo further supports annual Family Caregiver Support Program. vide a FY06 funding level of at least and scientifi c research is inconclu- increases the costs of prescription appropriations increases until the The aging population is increasing $4.7 billion, with no less than $4.35 sive regarding effects of Open-Loop medications and may lead to misin- program reaches its fully authorized rapidly, yet the funding for the Older billion in formula grants. Systems on marine life, NACo sup- formation among the non-medical level. CASA are trained community Americans Act has remained static ports cooperative efforts between public about their appropriate use. volunteers appointed by courts to and does not meet the growing need Opposition to the state and federal agencies to reduce Costs for prescription medications advocate for the best interests of Administration’s thermal pollution by appropriate and have been escalating rapidly for sev- children who are involved in the ■ See RESOLUTIONS on page 7 “Strengthening America’s effective engineering and design of eral years, to the point that many citi- Communities” Initiative Off-Shore LNG platforms. Open- zens, especially the elderly, are unable Policy: NACo strongly opposes Loop Systems, if permitted, should to afford drugs that are prescribed by the administration’s “Strengthening be monitored regarding their effect their physicians. National advertising America’s Communities Initiative.” on such marine life. Implementing of these drugs adds to the cost of the The consolidation would completely necessary and all mitigation should product, and may create artifi cially eliminate the Community Develop- be a part of such permit for Open- high consumer demand, thus forcing ment Block Grant Program (CDBG), Loop Systems. prices even higher. The decision to the Community Services Block Grant use any controlled substances such Program (CSBG) and key rural de- Opposition on Siting of Liquefi ed as prescription medications should velopment resources such as the Eco- Natural Gas Terminals be made exclusively by the medical nomic Development Administration Policy: NACo opposes any ad- provider, and not be infl uenced by — policy changes NACo would not ministration or Congressional effort the perception of medically untrained support. Moreover, the consoli- to preempt state and local authorities patients. dated initiative would focus solely under the Coastal Zone Management on economic development. While Act (CZMA) when siting liquefi ed Medical Liability NACo is also a strong supporter of natural gas (LNG) input terminals. Policy: Increasing rates of medical economic development planning and liability insurance are having a nega- assistance, community development Support for Historical Easement tive impact on access to medical ser- is a related but essential complement Tax Credits and Conservation vices. Some medical specialties have to economic development activities. Easement Programs been impacted especially hard. Congress must preserve the functions Policy: NACo supports contin- NACo supports a multifaceted of both community and economic ued use (at the local government’s approach to the medical liability development at the federal level to option and/or corresponding with problem. Solutions cannot focus maintain effective intergovernmental local land use plans), of Historical exclusively on capping non- partnerships that create and sustain Building tax credits and conserva- economic damages, as that will not viable communities. tion easement programs for historical completely remedy the problem. preservation and to foster economic NACo also supports solutions that Support for the FY06 Budget for development. would prevent frivolous lawsuits the Department of Housing and without obstructing the rights of Urban Development Haphazard Land Use and Health citizens to due process. Policy: Support for FY06 Ap- Policy: NACo calls upon Con- propriations for the U.S. Depart- gress to signifi cantly fund research Reduction of Health Care Costs ment of Housing and Urban Devel- and demonstration projects to en- Through Prevention opment (HUD), especially funding courage counties and localities to Policy: NACo urges federal and for programs fostering community develop effi cient land use planning state governments and the private and economic development and the and infrastructure design practices sector to collaborate with counties provision of affordable housing in the that are fi scally sensible and pro- in reducing health care costs as- United States. duce better physical activity and sociated with preventable disease health outcomes. and disability by creating and sup- Support the Preservation of porting programs and actions that Veterans Home Loans Health promote healthy behavior and the Policy: NACo urges Congress early detection and treatment of to pass legislation to preserve Health Disparity Reduction preventable diseases. Health care Qualifi ed Veterans Mortgage Bonds Policy: NACo urges federal costs are growing, while federal in- (QVMB), bonding authority for fi ve and state governments to eliminate vestment in prevention and public states (Alaska, California, Oregon, disparities and provide health care health has been slowly eroding. The Texas and Wisconsin) and remove access and mainstream support sys- initial investment in prevention ef- Visit www.naco.org/2005annual the prohibition of lending QVMB tems. The health care system must be forts will help to curb rising health monies to Post-76 Veterans. designed to provide equal health care care costs in many areas, specifi - for more information. for all individuals. The existence of cally in chronic disease treatment. Restore Funding to the disparities in the system represents Early intervention and education Resource and Conservation a failure of this system to provide can lead to cost savings for county 6 County News, March 14, 2005 PPutut youryour ccounty’sounty’s bbestest faceface

2005 FFrontraonnddn t rom April 10–16, during National County FGovernment Week, we’re turning over the front page of NACo’s Web site to photos and short stories of CCenterenter your county’s heroes. oonn NACo'sNACo's WWebeb site!site! onoring County Heroes is the theme for this year’s Hcelebration of National County Government Week, now in its 15th year.

ounty heroism comes in all shapes – from the bravery Cof the emergency-services rescuer to the tenacity of the snowplow driver during a spate of winter weather to the compassion of a social services worker who protects children from abuse and neglect.

e would like to show off your heroes to the W15,000 visitors who come to NACo’s Web site each day.

e will need a photo — headshot, preferably— Wand a short description (100 words or less) about why your nominee is a “County Hero.” E-mail to [email protected], or for more information, call Bev Schlotterbeck, 202/942-4249. Deadline: March 31. County News, March 14, 2005 7 NACo presents unfunded mandate testimony on Hill

BY ALYSON MCLAUGHLIN Voinovich (R-Ohio) is planning to impose mandates on state and lo- governments when they enact an Act did not qualify due to an exclusion ASSOCIATE LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR similar hearings later this spring cal governments and many of our unfunded mandate. for mandates designed to protect con- NACo President Angelo Kyle tes- before a subcommittee of the Senate counties report that the burden is Connolly provided a picture of stitutional rights. One of the mandates tifi ed on Capitol Hill that unfunded Committee on Homeland Security increasing.” the impact of unfunded mandates on under drinking water — provisions mandates place an enormous burden and Governmental Affairs. In particular, he called for the Fairfax County, where Davis himself of the Bioterrorism Act that require on counties across the country. Ger- Kyle testifi ed that the provi- federal government to provide once served as Board Chairman. He public water systems to conduct ald Connolly, chair, Fairfax County, sions of the Unfunded Mandates more information on the costs of testifi ed that the county spent $543 vulnerability assessments — did Va., Board of Supervisors and presi- million last year to comply with not qualify because it was passed as dent of the Virginia Association of federal mandates. The federal gov- part of an appropriations bill. Counties, also testifi ed at the hearing ernment reimbursed the county for The Clean Air Act, Clean Water held before the U.S. House of Rep- only $148 million, leaving the rest Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Re- resentatives Committee on Govern- of the bill to county taxpayers. source Conservation and Recovery ment Reform March 8. Connolly also provided infor- Act, Americans With Disabilities Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.), chair- mation on a nationwide survey Act, and Endangered Species Act man of the Committee on Govern- conducted by NACo at the request were each adopted prior to the en- ment Reform, convened the hearing of Chairman Davis on the following actment of the Unfunded Mandates to kick off the 10th anniversary of mandates: Reform Act. the Unfunded Mandates Reform • Clean Air Act As Kyle described in his testi- Act (UMRA). Davis noted in the • Clean Water Act mony, “from the Emergency Medical hearing that, by passing the cost of • Drinking Water Treatment and Active Labor Act to mandates on to local governments, • Resource Conservation eligibility for Medicaid, the federal the federal government does not and Recovery Act government dictates much of the achieve savings to the taxpayers at • Americans With Disabilities who, what, when, where and why all, but simply transfers costs from Act of providing health care services the federal income tax to local sales • Help America Vote Act … The federal government has not and property taxes. Davis announced • Endangered Species Act only failed to step forward and take in the hearing that he intends to Photo by Alysoun McLaughlin • Health Insurance Portability responsibility for the plight of the consider amending the Unfunded NACo President Angelo Kyle (l) testifi es on unfunded mandates before the and Accountability Act uninsured, it has persisted in shifting Mandates Reform Act to provide House Government Reform Committee. Kyle was followed by Fairfax County, • Uncompensated Health Care the costs to counties.” more protections to state and local Va. Board Chairman Gerry Connolly (r). • Incarceration of Criminal Incarceration of criminal illegal governments. Illegal Aliens aliens is an unfunded mandate be- Further hearings this year Reform Act have largely worked mandates both when they are fi rst Only one of these mandates — the cause counties bear the expense of in the Government Reform as they were intended, but loop- proposed and after they have taken Health Insurance Portability and Ac- incarcerating and prosecuting those Committee will be convened by holes remain and UMRA “is not a effect, and to strengthen the point countability Act — is classifi ed as who commit violations of state or a subcommittee chaired by Rep. comprehensive or perfect solution to of order that requires members of an unfunded intergovernmental man- local law, even though counties Michael Turner (R-Ohio), former the problem of unfunded mandates. Congress to affi rm the burden they date under the Unfunded Mandates mayor of Dayton, Ohio. Sen. George The federal government continues are imposing on state and local Reform Act. The Help America Vote ■ See TESTIMONY on page 8

NACo urges president to appoint local-minded FCC Commissioners

■ RESOLUTIONS from page 5 Edward Byrne Memorial Labor and Employment on issues associated with fi re in the president to appoint FCC Justice Assistance Grant WUI. Commissioners who understand such as adult protection, in-home Program (JAG) Governmental Retirement Plans and appreciate local government services, nutrition, employment Policy: NACo strongly supports Policy: NACo supports full Telecommunications perspective on telecommunications and transportation. full funding of the JAG program. portability of retirement benefi ts and Technology issues, and that Congress takes The Association also supports the between all types of retirement this into account as they consider Community Services inclusion of a new criminal justice plans and opposes any policy that Federal Communications vacancies on the FCC. Block Grant expenditure-based block grant would eliminate or limit the special Commission Local Government Policy: NACo urges Congress to formula in JAG to direct block features of state and local govern- Interaction Transportation fully fund the Community Services grant funds to local governments. mental retirement plans. Policy: NACo urges FCC Block Grant (CSBG) and opposes its The legislation should also contain commissioners to ensure that they Railroad Competition Act consolidation into the Strengthening incentive funds for promoting in- Workforce Development provide for an advisory committee, Policy: NACo supports the America’s Communities Initiative. tergovernmental programs in rural Programs similar to the former Local/State passage of the Railroad Competi- The new initiative would be funded counties. Policy: NACo urges Congress to Governmental Advisory Com- tion Act. The Railroad Competition at $3.74 billion, which is less than increase Workforce Investment Act mittee (LSGAC) or the current Act would require railroads to quote the funding for the Community (Note: A number of changes funding in the fi scal year 2006 bud- Intergovernmental Advisory rates to their customers. It would Development Block Grant. Thus, were also made to NACo’s get; at a minimum maintain current Committee (IAC), for local and provide arbitration for certain rail this new initiative is essentially an Platform language in this issue program year funding levels. state government offi cials to in- rates, services and other disputes. elimination of the CSBG. area. The changes refl ected NACo’s teract with FCC commissioners. It would allow the Surface Trans- opposition to administration Public Lands This committee should include portation Board (STB) to identify Justice and Public Safety proposals to eliminate or several county elected offi cials areas that lack adequate rail compe- signifi cantly reduce funding for a Wildland Urban Interface Fire and provide for opportunities for tition, resulting in market remedies HHS’ State And Local number of necessary and popular Policy: NACo calls on counties the national organizations (NACo, for rail customers in those areas. Bioterrorism Grant Program programs, such as COPS, the to enact better local land use ordi- NGA, NLC and USCM) to support The monopoly on the rail industry Policy: NACo urges Congress State Criminal Alien Assistance nances and local fuels management the committee. has resulted in a lack of competi- to oppose the administration’s FY06 Program (SCAAP), Emergency policies for wildland fi re protection tion, causing exorbitant pricing budget request to reduce funding for Management Performance Grants, in and around communities at risk Appointment of Federal and poor service. It is a deterrent HHS state and local governmental the Fire Fighters Assistance Grant of wildland fi re and reaffi rms its Communications to economic development and has bioterrorism preparedness grant Program and Homeland Security support for federal, state and local Commissioners caused, in some regions of the na- program. Grant Programs.) efforts to collaborate and cooperate Policy: NACo urges the tion, the loss of jobs. 8 County News, March 14, 2005 Santa Clara County, Calif. surveys well-being of children BY ALLISON MALL The report gives community common housework,” said Guada- bad news when it comes to teen were higher in the county than in the EDITORIAL ASSISTANT stakeholders the information needed lupe Olivas, Ph.D., director of the pregnancy,” said Bill Green, chair, state from 2000 to 2002. Each year, Santa Clara County, for strategic planning, resource al- Santa Clara County Public Health Kids in Common. “The good news is In addition to the above fi ndings, Calif. embarks on an effort to fi nd location, policy development and Department. that … the rate in Santa Clara County the report also published survey re- out just how well — or not — the coalition building to help the youth As with many of the other fi nd- is consistently lower than the state sults concerning children’s access children of Santa Clara are faring in of Santa Clara. ings, there are ethnic disparities con- and nation.” to health care, dental care, rate of a variety of issues. cerning physical health. Caucasian However, like many of the other communicable diseases, injury, Through the 2005 Children’s Economic Disparities and Hispanic children were found key factors in the survey, the rates sexual activity and STDs, substance Report: Key Indicators of Well- The report revealed that 38,000 to be the most overweight and the among Hispanic teenagers are nearly abuse, relationship violence, gang Being, county offi cials have found children — 9 percent of kids under least in shape. three times what they are for non- membership, juvenile arrests, child that there are discouraging trends in the age of 18 in the county — are liv- The U.S. Department of Edu- Hispanic teens in the county. abuse and neglect, foster care, the youth population of the county, ing below the Federal Poverty Level. cation’s Physical Fitness Standards “The bad news is that among His- school safety, high school dropout namely, that Hispanic children are Hispanic children, who represent one also came under review in the report. panic teens, the rate is 69.1 births per rates and college readiness. faring poorly in a variety of areas; third of the area’s total youth popu- The standards measure how children 1,000,” Green said. “This disparity Despite the discouraging results economic disparities exist that create lation, embody an overwhelming perform at a variety of fi tness activi- is the same disparity we have seen of the 2005 report, Supervisor Kniss vastly different standards of living; 55 percent of the children living in ties. Nearly three fourths of Asian across many indicators of child is optimistic that the results can be and obesity is a growing problem poverty in Santa Clara County. students achieved at least fi ve of well-being.” used as a springboard to get the for local children and teens. the six fi tness standards while not county moving in the right direc- The yearly report is compiled Physical Health even half of the Hispanic students Emotional Well-Being tion to provide a better future for from survey results of nearly 25,000 Like much of the nation, an surveyed achieved those same The 2005 Children’s Report also the youth of Santa Clara. public school 7th, 9th and 11th grad- alarming number of children in standards. examined the social and emotional “The task ahead of us is enor- ers. The survey measures how the Santa Clara are overweight. In 2003, well-being of children. The report mous, but it is one that can be children and their families are doing more than one in fi ve children ages Teen Pregnancy uses the rate of self-infl icted injury accomplished. We will use this in- in respect to physical health, social 5–19 in the county were classifi ed After years of active education as an indicator. formation in our policy decisions,” and emotional well-being, family as overweight. and public information campaigns Santa Clara ranks 54th out of Cal- Kniss said. “I am sounding a call stability, school success and com- “Overweight children are vic- nationwide, the rates of teen preg- ifornia’s 58 counties (with 58 being to everyone in our community to munity supports. tims of large portion sizes, eating nancy are on the decline. With 26 the worst) in the rate of adolescent get involved in creating viable “The report gives us a good too much fast food, drinking too births per 1,000 teens, Santa Clara self-infl icted injury (93 per 100,000). alternatives and solutions to ad- handle on where we need to focus many high sugar drinks, not hav- is well below the Healthy People In 2004, 9.5 percent of 9th grade stu- dress these issues. There are many our attention and our efforts,” said ing access to healthy food and not 2010 objective of 43 births to dents reported attempting suicide at people in our county who have the Supervisor Liz Kniss, chair of the enough physical activity such as 1,000 teens. least one time in the prior 12 months. time and the resources to begin to Santa Clara Board of Supervisors. walking, biking, skating or even “There is good news and some Injury hospitalization rates for sui- make a difference in the lives of cide attempts for youth ages 13–20 our children.”

Virtual Internet symposium on Counties spend billions on early warning systems planned unfunded mandates Program Will be Conducted April 18-22 ■ TESTIMONY from page 7 hundreds of mandates on counties, the total cost of unfunded federal In the wake of the Southeast Asian place April 18–22, in the Symposium A PERI Symposium Issues and have no jurisdiction over immigra- mandates on counties could be much tsunami disaster, in which the lack of Center on PERI’s Web site and via Ideas Paper appears each day, as tion law. The State Criminal Alien higher. a warning system may have aggra- e-mail. well as an open, online discussion Assistance Program (SCAAP) pro- How much higher? Connolly tes- vated the loss of life, many offi cials on PERI’s Web site, interactive sur- vides reimbursement for less than tifi ed that Fairfax County provided around the world are taking a closer Call for symposium papers veys, and other informative features. half of the costs associated with 5 percent, or $19.75 million, of its look at their warning systems. Are The symposium program’s The daily papers are e-mailed to incarcerating illegal immigrants total estimated $395 million burden lives and property currently protected moderator, Dr. Eelco Dykstra, has anyone who enrolls in the program who have committed violations of for unfunded federal mandates. He in any meaningful way? Or does the prepared a concept paper framing ahead of time. Participants join in a the law and now reside in county speculated that, if the same was true lack of an early warning system in several critical issues involved in threaded discussion on PERI’s Web jails. SCAAP is slated for elimina- for all counties, the unfunded man- the tsunami disaster point to lessons early warning systems. In his concept site — exchanging ideas, posting tion under the president’s proposed date costs borne by county taxpayers that should be heeded by offi cials in paper, Dykstra invites papers to be comments and asking further ques- budget for FY06. nationwide could total as much as the U.S. and elsewhere? presented during the PERI Sympo- tions about the issues and solutions In a rapid-response survey, $800 billion. This would include Disaster and emergency manage- sium. To read Dykstra’s concept pa- presented in the papers. The program conducted during two weeks of last only the costs for federal mandates, ment experts in the United States and per and call for papers, please visit the will also provide information on ad- month, NACo collected informa- not those costs imposed separately on around the world are mindful of the Symposium Center on PERI’s Web ditional resources on early warning tion from 60 counties on the cost counties by state governments. diffi culty of putting early warning site (www.riskinstitute.org). systems. of unfunded mandates. NACo ana- Other witnesses on the panel systems to effective and effi cient use. The PERI Symposium will be lyzed the responses of 30 counties were John Hurson, president of There is a considerable distance to go Enroll at no charge to a “collaborating conference,” and considered to be representative of the National Conference of State before standardized technology, central receive symposium papers will be held concurrently with the counties across the nation. These Legislatures and a member of the coordination and notifi cation and local via e-mail 2005 meeting of the ISCRAM Group counties reported a total cost of $1.5 Maryland House of Delegates; and response achieve a balance that leads to The PERI symposium is presented (International Systems for Crisis Re- billion to implement an average of six Mick Cornett, mayor of Oklahoma an effective early warning system. free as a public service. Anyone in- sponse and Management). mandates per county, for an average City, on behalf of the U.S. Confer- The complex issues involved in terested in receiving the program’s ISCRAM is an international per capita cost of $137. ence of Mayors. John Graham, di- achieving an effective early warning Issues and Ideas Papers each day community of experts, and will be Projected across the entire rector of the White House Offi ce of system is the central theme of the next via e-mail can do so by complet- conducting its annual conference population of the United States, Information and Regulatory Affairs, virtual symposium sponsored by the ing the online enrollment form in in Brussels, Belgium, April NACo suggested in its report that and Douglas Holtz-Eakin, director Public Entity Risk Institute: Early PERI’s Web site Symposium Center 18–20. PERI and ISCRAM will the burden on all counties would be of the Congressional Budget Offi ce, Warning Systems — Interdisciplinary (www.riskinstitute.org). exchange information and jointly approximately $40 billion. also testifi ed at the hearing about Observations and Policies from a Lo- explore ways to contribute towards Since the survey reviewed only their roles in determining the cost cal Government Perspective. How the PERI Electronic early warning system policy six mandates for each county and of mandates under the Unfunded The virtual symposium will take Symposium Works development. the federal government imposes Mandates Reform Act. County News, March 14, 2005 9 CCountiesounties rrequireequire llivingiving wwageage ffromrom contractorscontractors

BY M. MINDY MORETTI “It really only run into a few minor problems everyone seems pleased with the SENIOR STAFF WRITER didn’t add any with service contractors. new policy.” Many counties offer their em- value to any- “There have been a couple of (For more information about ployees pay rates higher than the thing we did,” issues that have come up, such as starting a living wage campaign, visit federal minimum wage — which has explained trying to fi nd someone that pays a the Living Wage Resource Center at not changed since 1996, nor does it Charles Londo, living wage in an industry where no www.livingwagecampaign.org or look to be changing anytime soon county adminis- one pays a living wage,” Kitchen 617/436-4878, or contact Paul Sonn based on recent actions in the Senate trator and chief explained, “But we’re working at The Brennan Center at 212/998- — however, many contractors doing fi nancial offi cer. through those issues and ultimately, 6328 or [email protected].) business with the counties do not of- “All of our em- fer wages higher than the minimum ployees are far wage to their employees. over the mini- Counties with Living Wage To combat this, cities and coun- mum and all To date, 26 counties have enacted local living wage requirements ties across the country have started of our suppliers tying wage and/or benefi t requirements to government contract implementing legislation requiring are far over the eligibility or other government fi nancial assistance. companies that contract with the minimum.” county to offer a “living wage.” A Years prior 2004 Santa Cruz County, Calif. to the 2001 living wage is typically defi ned as Durham County, N.C. Suffolk County, N.Y. the equivalent to the poverty line passage, the Ventura County, Calif. for a family of four (currently about Monroe Coun- 2003 Washtenaw County, Mich. ty Commission $9.06 an hour). Other community Arlington County, Va. To date, 26 counties have approved living had passed standards such as health benefi ts, Ingham County, Mich. 2000 a prevailing vacation days and language that wage legislation with a handful of counties Prince George’s County, Md. Eau Claire County, Wis. wage resolu- supports union organizing are often currently working on campaigns. Palm Beach County, Fla. part of the package. tion in agree- 1999 In 1994, the American Federa- ment with area 2002 Dane County, Wis. “We commissioned a study to fi nd labor unions. Londo said the 2003 tion of State, County and Munici- Broward County, Fla. Hudson County, N.J. out how much it was going to cost Commission felt the living wage pal Employees (AFSCME) and area Montgomery County, Md. Los Angeles County the county and they came back with a regulation was merely overlapping religious leaders in Baltimore City Marin County, Calif. Miami-Dade County number that was higher than what the what already existed, so it repealed lead the fi rst successful campaign for Pima County, Ariz. city of Durham was projecting, but the law. a local law requiring city service con- Westchester County, N.Y. 1998 tractors to pay a living wage. lower than what a Miami-Dade study “It [the 2001 legislation] was just Cook County, Ill. The fi rst county to approve liv- had suggested,” Kitchen said. “It was a nice, warm, fuzzy thing to have, 2001 Multnomah County, Ore. not a huge number and it was one that but it really didn’t help much at all,” ing wage legislation was Milwaukee Cumberland County, N.J. we felt we could deal with.” Londo said. County. In 1997, the county Board Gloucester County, N.J. 1997 To date, 26 counties have ap- Since the implementation of of Supervisors passed legislation that Monroe County, Mich. Milwaukee County proved living wage legislation Durham’s living wage policy in July required county contractors to pay (repealed March 2003) at least $6.25 per hour in the areas with a handful of counties currently of 2004, Kitchen said the county has of janitorial, security and parking working on campaigns. The laws or lot attendants, indexed to increased policies in each of the 27 counties wages of county employees. vary, but in essence they all require Durham County, N.C. was the contactors doing business with the most recent county to institute a county to offer their employees a liv- living wage in July of 2004. ing wage. Each county sets its own “Ours is actually a policy, not leg- living wage standards. Some of the islation,” explained Chuck Kitchen, laws put limits on who is required to county attorney. “After doing some offer a living wage, such as contrac- research, we concluded that it could tors doing more than $100,000 worth be done under existing legislation.” of business with the county or with That wasn’t the only research more than 10 employees. Kitchen did. From the time the Montgomery County, Md., which county was fi rst approached about passed its living wage law in June living wages, until the Board passed 2002, requires that all for-profi t the policy, Kitchen spent about six fi rms with county contracts more to eight months doing research and than $50,000, and at least 10 em- waiting for results of a cost analysis ployees, pay a living wage of $10.75 study. per hour. Montgomery also offers a “I did some research on it to decide non-penalty clause that encourages what legally could and couldn’t be nonprofi ts that contract with the done,” Kitchen said. “And I came to county to pay a living wage. the conclusion that the best policy to Living wage campaigns are not adopt was paying our employees a always successful and in the case of living wage — which wasn’t really a Monroe County, Mich., sometimes the problem since we were already doing laws are repealed. In 2001, the county that at the minimum — and require Board of Commissioners adopted a that our service contractors offer their living wage regulation requiring em- employees a living wage.” ployers with county contracts greater The biggest concern for Kitchen than $10,000 per year, as well as the and the Commission was fi nancial fea- county itself, to pay at least $8.70 sibility of the policy. Could the county per hour, or $10.20 if health benefi ts afford to make these requirements of were not provided. The Commission itself and of its contractors? repealed the law in 2003. 10 County News, March 14, 2005 County News, March 14, 2005 11

REESEARCHSEARCH NEEWSWS ttoo CCountiesounties CCountiesounties HHittingitting a HHomeome RRunun Creative Socio-Medics Corporation iinn SSpringpring Training?Training?

Premier Member “Pitchers and catchers report:” Those words signal the beginning of the baseball season, when play- Headquarters: Great River, N.Y. ers must report to their spring train- Division: Netsmart Technologies Inc. ing bases in Florida and Arizona. Primary Business: Software and services for public sector health and For baseball fans, it’s the signal that human services agencies throughout the United States. Our motto is: winter will soon be over and their “Helping Health and Human Services Systems Help People Through favorite sport is stretching its legs Service and Technology.” after the winter break and counting down to opening day. CEO: James Conway For local governments in those Representative: Ron Marge, assistant vice president, sales and areas, spring training means a lot marketing; 631/968-2026; [email protected] more. During February and March, it means revenue and job increases, Why we joined NACo: Creative joined NACo because many of our national exposure and overall civic clients are county health and human services agencies. pride. But is it worth it? As usual, it What we can do for counties: Creative provides state-of-the-art depends on who you ask. software and services solutions for public sector HHS agencies. Our Both actual and anecdotal evi- Avatar suite of products addresses the needs of mental health, public dence point out that spring-training health and social services county agencies for both administrative and baseball is a real economic develop- clinical-case management needs. Our two largest county projects are ment tool amply utilized by counties. the average visitor spends $100 per that teams are turning to the localities with Hennepin County, Minn. and San Diego County, Calif. In a study of the economic impact day in addition to ticket purchases. for improvements or renovations to of spring training in West Central From the spending of these tourists, it facilities. Florida (Tampa Bay Region), it has been estimated that Polk County, When West Palm Beach, Fla. last was estimated that the nine teams Fla. reaps an economic windfall of had baseball, city offi cials estimated operating in that region impact the $44 million per year from hosting that they were spending nearly $1 state’s economy to the tune of $227 baseball for one month. million a year from their budget million. But there are some skeptics. Some on maintenance. Plant City was The study also found that base- scholars believe that one month is losing $400,000 a year for hosting ball created nearly 3,000 jobs and too short a time to have much of an the Cincinnati Reds, an agreement ■ Transportation an increase of more than $83 mil- impact on a local economy. They which ended in 1997. In Winter Ha- Department Helps lion to the personal income in the also point out that many visitors ven, Fla., the taxpayers covered more Foresee Road Closures area. The Florida Sports Foundation to these areas are on vacation, and than $900,000 of the approximately Whether you’re trying to drive commissioned a study in 2000 that baseball is just one of the items on $1.25 million in maintenance fees to a neighboring county or across revealed the average spring training their itinerary. While conceding that for the facility. Still, the competi- the country, the Department of team had a $24.5 million impact on there are certain people that visit for tion for these teams in the spring Transportation has a site that will the host county. spring training only, they claim that is growing. help you navigate the nation’s In Pinellas County, Fla., spring the vast majority of people attending Surprise, Ariz. issued a $2 bil- roads. The National Traffi c and training employs 1,000 people and these games are vacationers looking lion bond for a facility that would Road Closure Information Web accounts for $46 million in consumer to get out of the cold in the northern be used, in part, for spring training. site (www.fhwa.dot.gov/traffi cinfo/index.htm) allows users to click on spending in the county. part of the country and would be in The county saw the facility as an a state to view information about local road closures. The site also These numbers continue to rise the region whether or not baseball avenue for economic development features links to weather and transit resources. as the number of attendees at spring was there. As an example, they cite going way beyond the two-month training games increases. In 2004, a Broward County study that found stay of the baseball teams. ■ Site Links to Local Media more than 1.5 million people attended 7 percent –17 percent of local hotel In Charlotte County, Fla., an area The U.S. Newspaper List Web site (www.usnpl.com) does just what spring training games in the state of revenue came from people who were that had been courting the Cleveland it says. The site lists and links to newspapers, categorized by state. In Florida, which was a 10 percent there mainly for spring training. Indians away from its current Winter addition to listing mainstream newspapers, the site includes links to increase in average per game atten- In Arizona, while Maricopa Haven home, a list of demands by the radio stations, magazines, TV stations and college newspapers. dance from 2003. In Arizona, they County saw an increase in spending team to the county was estimated to are also expecting a record number by out-of-state visitors between 1998 be about $10 million. The demands ■ Family Web Site Gives of visitors based on advanced ticket and 2003, Pima County saw similar included renovations to the stadium, Parenting Tips sales and room reservations. Those spending decrease signifi cantly: from a new clubhouse and offi ce building Safekids.com offers a wide visitors are expected to have a $200 $18 million in 1998 to $9.7 million in as well as furnishings and equipment. range of parenting solutions in million impact on the state. 2003. The boost in Maricopa County Lee County, Fla. expanded its stadium the realm of computers and tech- It has been estimated in both Flor- can be attributed to the two new teams at its own expense for the Boston Red nology. From protecting your kids ida and Arizona that about 60 percent that arrived in 2003. Sox, who pay $300,000 in rent but from online predators to the impact of the attendees at the baseball games Hosting a major league baseball collect all the ticket revenue. of violent video games, Safe Kids are non-residents. This means that not team will also cost the local govern- The investment in new stadiums offers articles outlining the risks only are they paying their ticket and ment. The baseball teams are always and upgrades would be diffi cult to of various activities and parenting in-game expenses, they are staying trying to improve on their bottom line defend if they were used only for host- solutions. at local hotels and motels, and eating in spring training, as baseball sources ing a professional baseball team for at local restaurants and bars. The estimate that only one in four teams (Web Watch is compiled by Dan Miller, staff writer.) Tampa Bay region study found that turn a profi t in the spring. That means ■ See RESEARCH on page 12 12 County News, March 14, 2005

NEEWSWS FRROMOM TTHEHE NAATIONTION'S COOUNTIESUNTIES

Some employees had dealt with The sturgeon, which is on the complete 30 hours of participation 42.” The silver-haired scoffl aws ex- the fi re hazard issue by using candle Endangered Species Act, can grow by attending all sessions and fi nishing changed another form of silver at a warmers, electric hot plates that warm up to eight feet long and weigh more assigned hours of community activi- dizzying rate, sometimes up to $20 the wax enough to release the scent. than 200 pounds. ties outside the sessions. Some of the worth of nickels a night. However, workers have complained schools will offer the students credit But now, thanks to the KLAM- about allergies or sensitivities to the NORTH CAROLINA for their participation. ATH COUNTY Board of Commis- CALIFORNIA perfume. As communities across the na- “It’s going to be a great program sioners, about 200 senior citizens in Everyone knows not to cause tion grow by leaps and bounds, … these kids will be our leaders some the Golden Age Club can continue unnecessary noise in a library, but MARYLAND local elected offi cials, like those in day,” Sorum said. their nickel-bingo night without fear in SANTA BARBARA COUNTY The MONTGOMERY COUN- DAVIDSON COUNTY, are look- of repercussions. library patrons also need to make sure TY Council will consider a law that ing for a variety of ways to fi nance OHIO According to The Oregonian, it not to cause unnecessary stinks. requires any animal that lands in a the necessary infrastructure, such as Just as some counties are starting seems that state rules require any- The county’s board of supervisors county shelter to have a microchip roads and schools, to accommodate to add stun guns to their law enforce- one playing games for cash to have recently ruled that patrons with ex- implanted under its skin. The chip the growing masses. ment repertoire, others, like LUCAS a license from the state, however the cessive odors can be asked to leave could be read by scanners and linked The county commissioners re- COUNTY have stopped using the Golden Age Club has never had such the premises, according to the San to a database of owner information. cently asked their staff to study the devices. a license. After receiving a complaint Luis Obispo Tribune. Librarians will County Executive Doug Duncan possibility of an “adequate public According to The Beacon Journal, about illegal gambling, the Board make the request if they deem that supports the chip so the county’s 10 facilities fee.” The fee would be Sheriff James Telb announced the ban of Commissioners stepped in and they are ruining the library experi- animal control offi cers can better levied on developers to defray the on Tasers after a man was subdued amended the county’s social gam- ence for others. keep track of animals, according to cost of building new schools. by a Taser and died within minutes ing ordinance to include bingo. Librarians won’t police the The Washington Post. The microchip An adequate public facilities fee of the fi nal jolt. The sheriff said he “Have fun with your bingo with- aisles, according to Library Direc- would also help the offi cers identify is generally applied to developments will not allow offi cers to use the guns out the bureaucracy,” Commissioner tor Brian Reynolds. Reynolds added dangerous animals. that would overburden the capacity until he receives more results from Bill Brown told an audience of seniors that people have smelled so bad that “If a dog is declared potentially of a public facility. safety studies. who came to a commission meeting they have ruined furniture. dangerous or dangerous and it is According to the News & Record, Telb told the paper that he wants a to support the rule change. This decision gives librarians the microchipped, then there’s no dis- County Commissioner Max Walser policy requiring any suspect shocked legal right to eject homeless people. puting the identifi cation of the dog,” proposed a $1,500 fee for each home by a Taser to pass a medical examina- WASHINGTON However, when enforcing the rule, said Capt. Wayne Jerman, director of in developments of six housing units tion at a hospital before being booked • D-I-V-O-R-C-E isn’t just a they can give the patron informa- the Animal Services Division. “You or more. The proposal is modeled into the county jail. Tammy Wynette song; it’s also what tion on the nearest free shower and have a lot more to go on than visual after similar programs in Stanly and “The arresting offi cers probably residents of rural KING COUNTY laundry facilities. identifi cation.” Cabarrus counties. will not like it, but for everybody’s are hoping the state Legislature will Nationally, an estimated two mil- “My contention is that somebody safety I think that’s the way we have allow them to do with the creation of GEORGIA lion cats and dogs carry the microchip ought to be paying for those facili- to go,” Telb said. a new county. Thanks to a recent decision by identifi ers. ties,” Walser told the paper. According to the King County commissioners in HALL COUNTY, Developers argue that the county OREGON Journal, state Rep. Toby Nixon has youngsters won’t be playing baseball MICHIGAN is trying to assess an impact fee since For two decades they operated on introduced House Bill 2074 that would in the dark. The Michigan Natural Resources it would apply to all new develop- the wrong side of the law, winning and The commissioners agreed to Trust Fund Board awarded the OT- ment, but the county’s director of losing money with the call of “black ■ See NEWS FROM on page 14 restore funding to light outdoor TAWA COUNTY Parks Commis- planning said the county is trying to fi elds for nighttime softball and sion $3.9 million to protect two miles determine what can and can’t be done baseball practice. According to of dunes in the county’s northwest under North Carolina law. AccessNorthGa.com, Parks and corner. The land is one of the largest “We’re going to study up and get MLB teams aid counties Leisure Service Director Deborah wooded dune areas in the central west educated and then try to craft some- Mockus told the commissioners that Michigan area. thing that’s best suited for Davidson recovering from hurricanes the decision to cut funding affected The total cost to acquire the land and County’s needs,” Guy L. Cornman 2,000 young players on 186 teams. create trails linking it to surrounding told the paper. ■ RESEARCH from page 11 you cannot put a price tag on either Mockus said that the Parks and park properties will be $7.7 million. their national recognition for one Leisure Service had only $3,400 in its The amount not covered by the grant NORTH DAKOTA one month. So many counties, if they month or the relationship they have power account, which wasn’t enough will be drawn from donations and the Because it’s never too soon to start are considering making this type of with the major league teams. This to power the fi eld lights. She added Ottawa County Parks millage. The learning about local government, the investment, are of course planning relationship was extremely helpful that the players will benefi t from the property will change hands next fall. CASS COUNTY Commission is multi-use facilities that would be to the Florida counties recovering decision to restore funding. moving ahead with plans to create a available all year round. from the damage of the hurricanes “This will defi nitely work,” she MISSISSIPPI Cass County Youth Commission to The park in Winter Haven attracts that struck the coast last summer. said. “They’ll be able to have their HANCOCK COUNTY has been educate high schools students about 30– 40 other events, including pro- After many of the facilities suf- practices under the lights as they have asked to postpone a beach project by county government. fessional and amateur events and fered millions of dollars in damages, had in years past and that will be a the Army Corps of Engineers so it The youth commission will con- leagues. The community of Peoria, teams such as the Minnesota Twins real plus for us.” has time to investigate whether the sist of 20 students — two from each Ariz. has used its complex as an came to their aid. The Twins, through project poses a threat to endangered of the county’s 10 high schools — and economic development tool, where their community fund, ran a fund- IDAHO Gulf sturgeon. will meet for fi ve hours one day per restaurants and hotels have popped raiser at home games last year and an In other aroma-related news, The fi ve-mile, $500,000 beach month during the school year. up around the stadium. The venue advertising campaign to raise money CASSIA COUNTY commissioners replenishment project was set to start In addition to studying counties, in Polk County, Fla., has become a for the citizens of Florida affected by have banned the burning of scented this month. The county had already the students will learn about commu- host to minor league, collegiate, high the storms. The fund made an initial candles by county employees. received a permit from the corps to nity service, how governing boards school and youth baseball. The major $10,000 contribution to Lee County With the exception of necessary commence with the project and had operate and relationship building. league teams also continue to use the Parks and Recreation and Charlotte welders or cutting torches, the com- signed a contract to begin work with “I’m always looking for different complex for Extended Spring Train- County Parks and Recreation and missioners signed a resolution ban- Great Southern Dredging. things for kids that we can bring back ing and Instructional Fall Leagues for they are designating a 2005 Spring ning all open fl ames used in county Rocky Pullman, president of the to help in the county,” Commissioner their minor league players. It was es- Training game to honor those affected buildings. The resolution stems from county’s Board of Supervisors, told Robyn Sorum told The Forum. Sorum timated that the 10 events held there by the storms and those assisting with the county’s maintenance supervisor the Associated Press that the National proposed the idea last summer after by the United States Specialty Sports the effort to rebuild. reported fi nding of candles burning Marine Fisheries Service will study the discussing it with County Treasurer Association in 1999 infused $2.5 mil- in offi ces after employees had gone sturgeon population near the Bay of Charlotte Sandvik. lion into the local economy. (Research News was written by Jo- home. St. Louis. The youth commissioners must Many counties would argue that seph Hansen, research associate.) County News, March 14, 2005 13

FIINANCIALNANCIAL SEERVICESRVICES NEEWSWS NNACoACo aandnd NNRSRS CCelebrateelebrate 2255 YYearsears ooff SSuccessuccess NACo and Nationwide Retire- and ultimately to become Nation- throughout the year. To date, NACo, Nationwide “We are committed to providing ment Solutions (NRS) celebrate wide Retirement Solutions). • The 42 state associations of and endorsing state associations of county employees the best retire- 25 years of success in delivering NACo works with Nationwide on counties that endorse the program counties, have provided more than ment program in the country and to retirement programs to county a daily basis to be sure its program also meet regularly with Nationwide 670,000 county employees with continuing our 25-year partnership employees. The NACo Deferred remains competitive and is the best and NACo to provide oversight and a competitive, high quality 457 with NRS to deliver such a quality Compensation Program offers option for county employees. Some feedback. deferred compensation over 25 program,” said Larry Naake, NACo county employees a way to save of the oversight features provided • Nationwide has ranked number years. Today the program reaches executive director. and invest for their retirement to- one for the past 16 years in an annual nearly 400,000 county employees day while deferring the payment Competitiveness Test to compare the and receives endorsements from 42 (Financial Services News was of federal, and in many cases, state “... This is the greatest thing fi xed rates of Nationwide to their state associations of counties. Cur- written by Renata Lipscomb, income taxes. The NACo 457 De- ... for county government top competitors in the 457 industry. rently, the program assets exceed Enterprise Services membership/ ferred Compensation Program is the and the greatest program An independent consultant conducts $6.5 billion. marketing director.) largest supplemental retirement in- that NACo has ever this analysis. come program available to county • An independent consultant also employees, according to industry endorsed for the benefi t of conducts an annual creditworthiness observers. county employees.” test that looks at rankings given by NNACACO ON TTHEHE MOOVEVE The NACo deferred compensa- – Roy Orr independent rating agencies. In the tion program is the fi rst program NACo Past President most recent test, Nationwide was NACo endorsed in January 1980. found to be a strong, stable insurer. NACO IN THE NEWS Then-President Roy Orr refl ects, “It • NACo oversees Nationwide’s • Paul Beddoe, associate legislative director, spoke to the Asheville is hard to believe that it has been 25 in conjunction with the NACo en- annual fund review to verify that the Citizen-Times in a March 3 article entitled “Federal cutbacks take aim years since we started the deferred dorsement are: fund options offered in the program at WNC.” Beddoe told the Times that the Payment in Lieu of Taxes comp program. This is the greatest • NACo offers the only retire- meet the strict criteria established (PILT) program isn’t fully funded. “Even at last year’s level, we are thing . . . for county government ment program that includes oversight for the NACo Program. still only at two-thirds of what was authorized by the Congress,” Bed- and the greatest program that NACo by an advisory committee composed • NACo oversees the annual doe said. “And if we reach that full funding, we’re still only pennies has ever endorsed for the benefi t of of participating county offi cials from marketing surveys Nationwide con- on the dollar of what the land would yield in tax revenue if it were in county employees.” around the country. This committee ducts for the NACo Program to help private hands.” The fi rst program was adminis- meets as a full group three times determine areas for improvement in tered by PEBSCO of Oklahoma City a year as well as through several working with both employees and NACO STAFF (later acquired by Nationwide Life sub-committee meetings conducted employers. • Stephanie Osborn, director of community services, is participat- ing in the North Dakota Association of Counties’ County Offi cials Prep School for new and veteran county offi cials March 14–15 in Burliegh OOCUSCUS OONN CCHIEVEMENTHIEVEMENT County (Bismarck), N.D. She is speaking about the programs and F A services NACo provides its members. • Kevin Neimond, geospatial information technology specialist, rep- resented NACo at the National States Geographic Information Council Keeping Seniors in the Driver’s Seat (NSGIC) Mid-Year conference in Annapolis, Md. March 13–16. He participated in a panel discussion entitled Navigating in Washington, with a focus on national level GIS collaboration activities. BY M. MINDY MORETTI Jo DeForest, deputy director of the in the project volunteered their time • Ed Ferguson, director, county services de- SENIOR STAFF WRITER county Offi ce for the Aging. and provided any handout materials partment and Sandra Clark, manager, educational In 2000, people ages 65 and older DeForest said the program has free of charge. The local university services, traveled to New York City Feb. 17 for a made up 12.4 percent of the popula- been successful because it’s pre- provides the meeting rooms at no planning session for the second County Leadership tion. By 2030, they will surge to 20 sented in a positive, proactive way, cost and DeForest was able to fi nd Institute (CLI) that will be held June 1–4. The insti- percent. An increase in the senior as opposed to in a negative or puni- local businesses to underwrite the tute is a joint project of NACo and NYU’s Robert population means an increase in the tive way. luncheon and any advertising costs F. Wagner Graduate School of number of seniors out on the road. “This program was not designed associated with the program. Ed Ferguson Public Service. Nominations for Because taking away a seniors’ to take away licenses,” DeForest is “Every community has the re- participants in the June program ability to drive often means tak- quick to point out. “It’s designed to sources to put something like this on,” are now being forwarded to NACo by state associa- ing away a senior’s last vestige of enhance skills and knowledge about DeForest said. “It basically takes re- tion executive directors. driving and to help seniors make sources already available from a variety independence, the Ulster County • Martin Harris, director of NACo’s Center for (N.Y.) Offi ce for the Aging wanted choices about driving.” of sources and brings them all together Sustainable Communities, participated in a Depart- to make sure its seniors could stay After the success of the fi rst in location and at one time.” ment of Defense forum Feb. 15–17 in Duval County Sandra Clark safely behind the wheel longer. program, DeForest said the county For more information about the (Mayport), Fla. which focused on implementation Keeping Seniors in the Driver’s held four more workshops and plans Keeping Seniors in the Driver’s Seat of its “Sustain the Mission, Secure the Future” strategy. Seat is a free, four-hour program to offer the program at least once, program contact Mary Jo DeForest, The Southeast Sustainable Ranges Workshop brought federal, that addresses basic safety issues each year, especially with the fi rst deputy director, Ulster County Offi ce state and local representatives together with representatives from the facing senior drivers. A panel of of the baby boomers turning 65 in for the Aging at 845/340-3456. Army, Navy, Airforce and Marines to explore common approaches local and state personnel represent- the year 2011. that simultaneously assure the military can meet its growing mission ing law enforcement, the insurance “The Q&A sessions that we of- (Focus on Achievement highlights objectives and localities can continue to assure their economic and industry, the department of motor fer at the end of each program are NACo Achievement Award Winners. environmental futures. vehicles and local hospitals speaks really interesting,” DeForest said. To learn more about other winners, The center and NACo’s Community Services Division are in ne- on simple ways to improve driving “The seniors always have really the program or how to submit your gotiations with DOD to develop a joint initiative to bring counties and abilities. great questions, particularly of the county program for an award visit the military together to pursue this common objective. “We’ve got some great col- law enforcement folks.” the NACo Web site at www.naco.org/ laborative partnerships within the There was no cost to bring this awards or contact Jackie Byers, re- (On the Move is compiled by Dan Miller, staff writer, and Allison community that allow us to put program to the senior community search director at [email protected] Mall, editorial assistant.) this program on,” explained Mary in Ulster County. All the partners or 202/942-4285.) 14 County News, March 14, 2005

THHEE HH.R..R. DOOCTORCTOR IS IN Mastery & Balance Having just returned from a teacher willing to spend time helping spires us as individuals to continue The exploration may mean al- of a loss of balance. In other words, performance by a Chinese acrobatic with and encouraging the develop- to seek improvement. None of us are lowing a new subordinate to accept the best performers are supported troupe, the HR Doctor was struck by ment of mastery in another person. so innately gifted that without any responsibility for a large project or to by others who act as a safety net, a a common theme in the success of It was clear in the performance I saw practice or rehearsal we could win try a new technique. It may mean se- stabilizing force in their efforts, and each member of this group of young that the smile on the face of the coach an Olympic medal or step out onto lecting a colleague to go with a senior a source of help. athletes. It is a theme from which we was far more than superfi cial. It was a a concert stage, pick up a violin and manager to a national conference or When all of these ingredients could all learn, both in our work lives smile of joy and fulfi llment at seeing play a concerto. We need a combina- to some other professional develop- come together, a person can be a as well as in our personal lives no tion of important elements. ment program. master as well as being well bal- matter how many somersaults we We each need some degree of in- For a parent, it may be having a anced in life. When any one of the are able to do. nate ability. In addition, we need a continuing conversation with a child ingredients is not present, a person’s No member of the troupe, other passion for pursuing and continually while walking through a museum, skills may be strong, but he or she than the coach, was older than 19 improving our abilities in the area looking at the sky on a clear, dark will be headed for a fall. years of age. It was clear from their of science, art or administration we night, or discussing the contents of In our lives as administrators and amazing individual skills that each have chosen. a newspaper article. public employees, we can develop has been practicing and focusing on Finally, it takes a mentor or coach When the spark of fi nding a com- the network, we can fi nd the teacher, their art for many years. How else to be the catalyst who takes those in- pelling area of interest is ignited and and we can practice some skill about could one of them have balanced nate abilities and the wonder or the excitement is generated in another which we are very excited. Every a dozen glasses full of liquid from passion about what it must be like to person, the master or coach will rec- moment when we aren’t striving her nose while climbing ladders? excel in a certain area, and weaves ognize it. Like the acrobatic coach of for mastery and balance, as well

How could she have made it look PHIL ROSENBERG them together with coaching and the Chinese troupe, the mentor will as helping others do likewise, is a so simple? THE HR DOCTOR support to see what emerges. smile in a knowing and fulfi lled way wasted opportunity in an all too short In fact, it was also clear that be- The best practices of the best at the success of others. career and life. sides a lot of practice, the members his efforts produce results in a gasping parents include heavy doses of the However, there is another clear Go out and fi nd a project, a hobby, of the troupe had two things going and cheering audience. coaching and support role. The same component to success in achieving a charity or a vocation to master and for them from which we could all The mastery of an art form without is true of being a supervisor and a the amazing feats of skill of the to share! benefi t. The fi rst is about mastery. sharing and teaching others is a sad mentor to others at work. master acrobat. All of the acrobats, Every one of us is capable of master- waste — as is not striving to master a However, in addition to that coach- at the moment of the most dangerous All the best, ing a skill, an art or a technical issue skill in life. We never really fail when ing role, the best supervisors, spouses, or diffi cult activity in their routine, surrounding a particular profession. we are striving. The reason is that the parents and leaders in general are also had one or more colleagues helping Mastery brings a sense of fulfi llment effort is as important, perhaps more explorers who help themselves and to steady the ladder, handing the ac- and a sense of joy. important, than the results. Striving others to discover what might be the robat the right piece of equipment at Phil Rosenberg It also takes a coach, trainer or inspires others to excel. It also in- area of mastery that would ignite pas- the right time, and focusing intensely The HR Doctor sion in another person. on the acrobat to detect the fi rst sign www.hrdr.net Word Search Kentucky Counties Kitsap County bans acronym use ■ NEWS FROM from page 12 The $1 rule was fi rst used during come out in shrink-wrapped pack- a daylong retreat for commissioners ages. County Coroner Judy Arnold call for the creation of Cascade Coun- and department heads. That meeting said this process would make the ty. The proposed county, that would raised almost $100 that went to the bodies easier to carry and be less have Kent as the interim-county seat, Red Cross for tsunami relief. Since disturbing for workers. would basically be all of the current that fi rst meeting, people seem to be “It’s hard to think of people in King County except for Seattle. getting better with only $19 being those terms,” Arnold told the paper. Once the Legislature has debated raised in the past two weeks. “But it’s a matter of logistics, and the merits and details of creating a BTW, the $19 will go to a veter- we want to do it in the best and most new county, the next step would be to ans cause. respectable way for both the deceased get a majority of voters living in the and the family.” new county boundaries sign petitions • Just when the equipment and Offi cials began discussing the to create the new county. The effort procedures used on many of televi- idea after the terrorist takeover of a could take up to four years. sions forensic investigation shows Russian school in September of 2004 seem too real to be true, real life and December’s tsunamis. • FWIW, acronyms can be a handy trumps television. “You know, it’s neat, but it’s kind way to abbreviate the hodgepodge of The THURSTON COUNTY Cor- of creepy,” Bette Shultz, county emer- governmental agencies and bureau- oner’s Offi ce recently won approval to gency management coordinator, told cracy. They can also be a nightmare purchase a machine able to shrink- the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. “It’s for members of the general public to wrap human remains. According to one of those things you spend a lot keep up with, which is why KITSAP the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, the pro- of money for and hope you never COUNTY is putting an end to their cess would make it easier to transport have to use it.” use at public meetings. a large number of bodies in the event BALLARD FRANKLIN MADISON BOONE GRANT MCLEAN At the urging of Terrie Battuelo, of a major disaster. (News From the Nation’s Coun- BOURBON HARDIN OLDHAM the county’s community resources After the bodies have been au- ties is written by Dan Miller, staff BULLITT HARLAN POWELL coordinator, anyone caught using topsied and identifi ed, they would writer, and M. Mindy Moretti, CAMPBELL HOPKINS ROWAN an acronym at a county meeting is be zipped into body bags, placed senior staff writer. If you have CLARK KENTON WEBSTER fi ned $1. on plywood trays and covered with news about your county, please e- ELLIOTT LIVINGSTON “We shouldn’t be using alphabet cardboard lids. The trays would be mail them at [email protected] or Created by Allison Mall soup,” Battuelo told the Kitsap Sun. pushed through the machine and [email protected].) County News, March 14, 2005 15

JOOBB MAARKETRKET//CCLLASSIFIEDSASSIFIEDS

CITY MANAGER — RI 02840, [email protected], ever County Administrative Offi cer A Glenn County application must be re- lease rental program, utilizing automated CITY OF NEWPORT, R.I. 401/845-9364 (fax). Visit city’s Web (CAO) who will be charged with set- ceived by 12:00 noon, Friday, March 18. maintenance, parts and fuel management Salary: DOQ site, www.ci.newport.ri.us. ting the standard for this position for For further information, contact: Glenn systems; purchasing and auctioning ve- Newport, R.I. (approximately his/her successors. The CAO reports County Personnel Dept., 525 W. Syca- hicles and equipment; developing and 26,475) City Manager; 7-member city CIVIL ENGINEERING: directly to, and serves at the pleasure more St., Ste A, Willows, CA 95988, administering an annual budget and council. Approximately $68.9M gen- HIGHWAY — LANCASTER, PA. of, a five member elected County 530/934-6451, www.countyofglenn.net, emergency preparedness programs, and eral fund budget; 340 full-time staff and and CEDAR KNOLLS, N.J. Board of Supervisors. The incumbent 530/934-6452 (fax). in developing and implementing poli- 9 departments. Full-service city. Inter- Salary: DOQ is accountable for accomplishing the cies, programs and activities designed nationally known resort community of- Robson Forensic is a multi-discipline county’s administrative goals and ob- DIRECTOR OF FLEET to include effi ciency, productivity, safety fers small-town charms with large-town forensic engineering fi rm practicing jectives within policy guidelines in the MANAGEMENT - and quality. Apply: County of Volusia connections and forward-thinking with throughout the northeastern and cen- areas of economic development and VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLA. Personnel Division, 123 W. Indiana Ave., preservationist fl avor. Requires degree tral U.S. We seek mature profession- growth management, budgeting, coor- Salary: $53,581.62–$84,658.99 DeLand, FL 32720-4607. Applications in public administration/business or a als, experienced in design, construction, dinating inter-departmental effi ciency, DOQ available at Web site www.Volusia.org closely related fi eld; desire master’s de- maintenance phases or roadways. You interagency cooperation, space utiliza- County of Volusia is recruiting for or at Volusia County Libraries or call gree. Extensive or related experience would be part of a comprehensive team tion and overall public service delivery. a highly energetic Director of Fleet 386/736-5951, 386/423-3300 or 386/ assisting council with issues related to that investigates roadway collisions. The CAO is Department Head for the Management Division to manage a large, 257-6029. Position open until fi lled. growth and to clearly possess and apply The team includes vehicle engineers County Administrative Offi ce; serves as diverse fl eet and related functions. The EOE/AA. Veterans preference pursu- superior management and leadership and operators, crash reconstructionists, the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and fl eet consists of light and heavy trucks, ant to state law. knowledge, skill, ability, commitment human factors engineers, biomechanical serves as the county’s Economic Devel- sedans, public safety vehicles, vans, and energy to achieve council’s goals engineers and highway engineers. Your opment Coordinator, including business construction equipment, fi re engines FINANCE DIRECTOR — in resolving present fi scal challenges role would be to determine if there are development, job creation, and obtain- and equipment, and generators (ap- KANE COUNTY, ILL. in schools, enterprise funds, pension dangerous roadway conditions that were ing the appropriate revenue sources for proximately 2,180 pieces of equipment). Salary: DOE liabilities and other related matters. a cause of a particular incident. You must implementation and program adminis- Division staff consists of 32 mechanic Kane County Government has a full- Good motivator and facilitator, ap- be degreed and registered, with excel- tration. The ideal candidate is fl exible, and 18 supervisory, administrative and time Finance Director position available. proachable to staff, elected offi cials lent analytical and communication skills. creative, challenged by diversity, and support positions. MINIMUM QUALI- A BS/BA degree in accounting or fi nance and community; signifi cant experi- Full time for Lancaster, Pa. and Cedar able to handle a variety of projects and FICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree in busi- is required as well as advanced studies. ence as local government manager Knolls, N.J. More information and reply is able to work well with a fi ve member ness administration, industrial manage- Three to fi ve years of progressive gov- in a diverse and complex community via www.RobsonForensic.com. Board of Supervisors and county agen- ment or related fi eld and fi ve (5) years ernment experience is strongly desired. comparable to city; creative problem cies and departments through effective in the administration and management The position is part of a management solver who encourages teamwork. COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE communications, completed staff work of a large fl eet maintenance program team and reports to the county board. Ideal candidate is consensus-builder OFFICER — and a broad management prospective. that includes a large repair facility. Responsible for overseeing fi nancial with strong communication and inter- GLENN COUNTY, CALIF. A minimum of fi ve years experience in Comparable experience, education operations, including accounting, long- personal skills. Confi dential resume Salary: $105,000–$130,000 county or related government adminis- and training may be substituted for range fi nancial planning, budget and risk by April 8 to Michael J. Coury, HR Glenn County, Willows, Calif. is trative management is required and a the minimum qualifi cations. The pre- management. Salary commensurate with Administrator, 43 Broadway, Newport, seeking qualifi ed applicants for its fi rst bachelor’s degree with major course- ferred applicant must have experience experience. work in public or business administration and/or knowledge in sound manage- Submit resumes to Karen McCon- or closely related fi eld. Possession of, or ment practices and principles as related naughay, County Board Chairman, 719 the ability to obtain within 60 days, an to the operation of a large fl eet manage- Batavia Avenue, Geneva, IL 60134. 630/ NOOTICESTICES appropriate California Driver’s license. ment program; managing a centralized 232-9188 (fax).

■ Conferences • The Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence will hold its 2005 annual conference in Orange County (Orlando), Fla. May 18–19. The title of this year’s conference is “Imagining Peace, Envisioning Non-violence, Transforming Society: Ending Violence Against Women.” For reservations, call 407/851-9000. • The 2005 Air Innovations Conference will be held Aug. 24–26 in Cook County (Chicago), Ill. The conference will focus on new and innovative ways to improve air quality. State, local and tribal air and energy professionals, transportation and economic planners, elected offi cials, nonprofi ts and the regulated community are all invited to attend. The conference organizers have issued a call for topics, sessions, and speakers. For more information on the 2005 conference, please visit www.cleanairinfo.com/airinnovations2005/. ■ Certifi cation • The International Code Council offers a new professional certifi cation that demonstrates the individual has the knowledge required to perform fi re plan reviews. The Fire Plans Examiner certifi cation is a three-and-a-half hour, 60 question exam covering knowledge in the areas of administration, occupancies, hazardous materials, fi re protection and egress and safety. This certifi cation is one requirement of the Fire Code Offi cial certifi cation and the Certifi ed Fire Marshall certifi cation currently under development by the International Code Council. For more information, visit www.iccsafe.org/certifi cation/. ■ Publications • The Government Finance Offi cers Association has published the 2005 edition of the “Blue Book,” Governmental Accounting, Auditing and Fi- nancial Reporting (GAAFR). GAAFR contains practical guidance on all aspects of accounting, auditing and fi nancial reporting for state and local governments. Contact Allison Mall

(Notices is compiled by Allison Mall, editorial assistant. If you have an Phone: (202) 942-4256 item for Notices, you can e-mail it to her at [email protected] or fax 202/393- 2630.) E-mail: [email protected] 16 County News, March 14, 2005