NOVEMBER 12, 2018 1

THE BABY BOOMERS ARE NEW GUIDE HELPS RURAL COUNTY SUBSIDIZES COMING. IS YOUR COUNTIES FIGHT OPIOID FIREPLACE ‘SWAP-OUT’ COUNTY READY? PG. 6 CRISIS. PG. 9 FOR CLEANER AIR. PG. 13

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES VOL.50, NO. 22 NOVEMBER 12, 2018 FCC could slash county franchise fees

By Mary Ann Barton editor

Cable TV franchise fees paid to counties and other local governments could be slashed under a deregulation proposal being considered by the Feder- al Communications Commis- sion, according to the National Association of Telecommuni- cations Officers and Advisors (NATOA). How much could counties lose? It could be in the millions of dollars, according to Nancy Werner, general counsel for Voters show their identification Election Day, Nov. 6, 2018 at an Arlington County, Va. school. Counties across the country ran local elec- tions on a day that saw historic midterm election voter turnout. Rob Crandall / Alamy Stock Photo NATAO. “Lawyers I have talk- ed to have said 30 [percent] to 40 percent and others have County levy helps run OK on Medicaid could guessed at 100 percent,” she said. Montana veterans office There’s room for a consider- spell relief for counties By Charlie Ban erans service officer in the By Charlie Ban relief Medicaid could provide See FCC page 3 senior writer Valley Veterans Service Center senior writer to the state’s struggling rural in Ravalli County. “Some of hospitals. Medicaid coverage The wide-open spaces that our state’s veterans have a long The consequences resulting for inmates will also relieve the draw many to Montana’s Big way to go, even for Montana’s from the voter-driven Medic- pressure on counties to pay for Sky Country can be less ap- standards.” aid expansions in three states that care. pealing when it means travel- It’s the fourth-largest state, — Utah, Nebraska and Idaho The full effect of Idaho’s ing eight hours to reach ser- home to roughly 98,000 veter- — will remain to be seen, but expansion will depend on a vices people need. ans as of 2016 and 23 veterans state associations see poten- number of factors. The reality of driving two service officers. tial for at least a little relief for “We know it will be a poten- hours to a Walmart is part of North and South Dakota, counties that have to provide tial cost saver for counties, we the trade-off people make to by comparison, are roughly health care. just don’t know by how much live where they want, but when the same size, combined, and Montana voters voted yet,” said Seth Grigg, executive it comes to the more special- serve roughly 10,000 more vet- against Medicaid expansion, director of the Idaho Associa- ized needs of veterans who erans with 109 veterans service which would have been been tion of Counties. “There’s un- need help accessing services, officers. That imbalance right- funded with an increase in the certainty for what it means for that distance becomes a liabil- ed itself slightly this year when tobacco tax. mental health.” ity. Often one that can take up citizens of Ravalli County vot- Nebraska’s measure passed Idaho counties spent $20 to eight hours. ed for a levy to fund the coun- with strong support in urban million on indigent medi- “In northeastern Montana, ty’s veterans service office, the and rural areas, which Larry cal care over fiscal year 2018. that’s how far people are trav- first in the state run by a coun- Dix, executive director of the Roughly 65,000 people in the eling to get to veterans ser- Nebraska Association of Coun- vices,” said Mike Warner, vet- See VETERANS page 2 ties, said stemmed from the See VOTE page 5 2 NOVEMBER 12, 2018 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS Veteran services office could be model for others From HEADLINE page x ON THE MOVE From VETERANS page 1 and there were actual cobwebs inside.” NACo OFFICERS ty, which allowed the office to The county offered used ●● Immediate Past Presi- hire two additional staff mem- computers to help get the VSO dent Roy Charles Brooks bers. started, and Warner and Dan tries his hand at shodo, a That additional levy in- Griffin, who was hired a year type of calligraphy using creased the veterans’ service later, demonstrated the service an ink-dipped brush to cre- center’s budget to $247,000 that won over Ravalli County ate characters, a tradition- from its previous $85,000 voters. al part of Japan’s culture. budget. It’s the latest step in a “The levy passed with 78 Brooks represented NACo three-year-old effort that War- percent of the vote, which is in Japan as part of the ner hopes can be a model for the highest any mill levy has CLAIR Fellowship local gov- other counties throughout the passed in Ravalli County,” War- ernment exchange program state. ner said. Oct. 27-Nov. 6. “The passage of the mill levy 1,800 veterans access services “Our citizens have stepped demonstrated the nature of through the federal Veterans up and that’s a vote of confi- our community and its support Administration bureaucracy dence and a sign we’re on the NACo STAFF for our veterans,” said Com- — which has averaged out to right track. They don’t want missioner Greg Chilcott. more than one new veteran our veterans to lack services.” ●● Paul Guequierre is NACo’s new “This was originally a grass- signing up for services every Warner said his office has communications director, responsi- roots effort by our veterans, day. seen veterans come from hours ble for managing and coordinating they were being underserved, “It’s amazing to me that away to sign up for VA services. media relations and other commu- and we knew we could do bet- three years ago we didn’t have That kind of need in other nications activities. Paul served ter.” a working computer, and now counties is reason enough for as the director of communications Warner has been there for we have a place that veterans’ him to pitch Ravalli County’s for Urban Libraries Council and Guequierre the office’s growth. In 2015, groups from all over can call veterans service office struc- American Constitution Society for when he was the only staff home,” he said. ture to other counties — there’s Law and Policy. He earned a bach- member, he managed a case- “We have four full-time staff certainly a need for local help elor’s degree in Journalism & Mass load of roughly 250. Now, members, five work-study po- for veterans. Communication from the University the office helps more than sitions and a counselor five “There’s the question of of Wisconsin and a Master of Public days a week, all thanks to the where counties can begin. Administration from American Uni- Ravalli County community. Well, you have veterans in your versity. “Their support in passing community, so that’s the best ●● Jessica Jennings is NACo’s STATES WITH HIGHEST that levy shows how much our place to start,” Warner said. new associate legislative director for ADOPTION RATES citizens value our veterans and “These are people who are transportation. Before joining NACo, NO. PER 100,000 ADULTS— want them to have the resourc- trained to be leaders, if you Jessica served as special assistant Jennings 2008–2012 es they need.” get a whole bunch of leaders and policy advisor for the U.S Gener- The Valley Veterans Service together, there’s nothing they al Services Administration, Office of Center — it kept its original can’t overcome.” Congressional and Intergovernmen- name as an homage to the Warner is pleased with the tal Affairs. She earned a a bache- Vietnam veterans group that success of his VSO’s recruit- lor’s degree in Political Science from spearheaded the county’s first ment efforts given the cultural North Carolina State University and veterans service efforts eight aspects of many Montana vet- a master’s in Human Environmen- years ago — started in earnest erans. tal Science from the University of in 2015 when the county hired “This is a place where a Alabama. STATE ADOPTION Warner as its veterans service lot of people come to be left ●● Associate Legislative Director RATE Hurley Alaska...... 137 officer. alone,” he said. “We have a Eryn Hurley updated the American Montana...... 114 “I worked out of a house that lot of ex-Special Forces guys Public Human Services Associa- Kansas, Utah...... 108 wasn’t wheelchair accessible, who own their property in tion’s leadership on county advoca- Oklahoma...... 105 which wasn’t ideal for a county the woods and want to be left cy efforts during the Harvard Human Arkansas...... 103 with a lot of older, Vietnam-era alone. If they come out to en- Services Summit in Suffolk County

Source: Child Welfare Information Gateway, veterans,” Warner said. “I gage with us, that’s a sign we’re (Cambridge), Mass. October 26-28. Children’s Bureau, HHS opened a binder my first day doing something right.”

President Consulting Editor ADVERTISING STAFF Published biweekly except August by: The appearance of paid advertisements in County POSTMASTER: send address changes to Greg Cox Beverly Anne Job Market/Classifieds National Association of Counties News in no way implies support or endorsement County News, 660 N. Capitol Street, N.W. Schlotterbeck by the National Association of Counties for any of Publisher representative Research Foundation, Inc. STE. 400, Washington, D.C. 20001 Matthew Chase Editor and 660 N. Capitol Street, N.W. STE. 400, the products, services or messages advertised. National Accounts (USPS 704-620) n (ISSN: 0744-9798) Senior Writer Washington, D.C. 20001 Periodicals postage paid at Washington D.C. and Public Affairs © National Association of Counties Mary Ann Barton representative 202.393.6226 | FAX 866.752.1573 other offices. Director Research Foundation, Inc. Brian Namey Digital Editor Beverly Schlotterbeck E-mail [email protected] Mail subscriptions are $100 per year for non-mem- and Senior Writer 202.393.6226 Online address www.countynews.org bers. $60 per year for non-members purchasing Public Affairs Charlie Ban FAX 866.752.1573 multiple copies. Educational institution rate, $50 Coordinator per year. Member county supplemental subscrip- Lindsey Maggard Design Director Leon Lawrence III tions are $20 each. Send payment with order and address changes to NACo, 660 N. Capitol Street, We are committed to getting County News on your desktop ASAP. Send your address corrections to [email protected]. N.W. STE. 400, Washington, D.C. 20001. COUNTY NEWS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES NOVEMBER 12, 2018 3 Franchise fees in jeopardy? County officials head to Capitol

From FCC page 1 posed new rules to state-level franchising actions as well, not Hill after Election Day wins able amount of debate because just local franchising. By Bev Schlotterbeck seat now held by retiring Rep. Susan Wild. the FCC is proposing to allow A group of 11 senators, led consulting editor Luis Gutierrez (D), who en- However, as of Wednesday, cable companies to deduct the by Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), dorsed him. Nov. 7, he had a razor-thin lead fair market value for a wide have written to FCC chair Ajit County officials from across In another easy victory, for- of 58 votes over Wild with pro- range of public benefits from Pai asking him to rethink the the country will swap the coun- mer Knox County, Tenn. Mayor visional and absentee ballots their franchise fee obligations, proposal: “Currently, towns ty courthouse for an office on Tim Burchett defeated his op- remaining to be counted. namely public, educational, and cities across the country Capitol Hill after taking home ponent by more than 30 points If the results stand, Nothstein and government (PEG) chan- are permitted to require as wins in the Nov. 6 election. to snag Tennessee’s 2nd Con- would represent the former nel capacity and transmission. part of cable franchise agree- They will be sworn in as new gressional District. 15th Congressional District “The fair market value of say a ments that cable operators members of the 116th Congress Veronica Escobar, who re- through the end of the year. channel in a small town is go- meet demonstrated communi- Jan. 3, 2019. signed as El Paso County, Texas ing to be more valuable than ty needs by setting aside chan- Here’s a snapshot at press judge executive in August 2017 Statewide races say a channel in a large urban nels for public, educational or time of those being followed by to run for office, was elected to In statewide races, Clark area,” Werner said. governmental stations,” they County News. represent the Lone Star State’s County, Nev. Board Chair Ste- These channels “are a way wrote. St. Louis County, Minn. 16th district. phen Sisolak will move from Las for a community to have a “However, the commission’s Commissioner Pete Stauber Vegas to Carson City, thanks to voice,” she said. proposal would permit cable won an open seat in Minneso- his successful bid for governor In Montgomery County, companies to assign a value ta’s 8th District defeating Joe of the Silver State. Sisolak will Md., Mitsuko Herrera, a direc- to these channels, and then Radanovich, a 32-year-old for- be the first Democrat to hold tor in the county’s technology substract that amount, and the mer state representative. the office since 1994. services department, said that value they place on any other Stauber’s victory in the 8th Meanwhile, Hennepin Coun- “cable operators have passed in-kind contributions, from District is the second for a Re- ty, Minn. Commissioner Jeff through the cost to construct the franchise fees the cable op- publican in 71 years. The seat Johnson and Dutchess County, and operate these cable chan- erator pays the local commu- is held by Rep. Nick Nolan (D), N.Y. Executive Marcus Molin- nels to subscribers over the nity,” they said. who is retiring. aro failed in their bids to move past 15-25 years, and now the The senators noted that In a race too close to call at to their states’ governor’s man- FCC would allow cable opera- “our constituents watch PEG County News press time, Salt And in an election twist, Le- sions. tors to collect again the value channels to monitor local gov- Lake County Mayor Ben McAd- high County, Pa. Board Chair Johnson was bested by Dem- of these channels.” ernment proceedings, hear ams was leading incumbent Marty Nothstein was running ocrat Tim Walz in the Minneso- In some smaller jurisdic- the latest news from nearby Rep. Mia Love (R) in the con- in two races: One contest to ta race while two-term incum- tions, Herrera noted, the “val- college campuses and con- test for the state’s 4th District. represent the newly redrawn bent Andrew Cuomo kept his ue” of the cable channel may sumer other locally produced McAdams has served as mayor 7th Congressional District, and lock on New York’s urban areas be more (because value is not programming including emer- of Salt Lake County since 2013. a special election to fill the re- to beat Molinaro. capped by the FCC) than what gency alerts and directives. We Love, the first black female Re- maining term of Rep. Charlie Molinaro carried 44 of up- the jurisdiction receives in fear this proposal will result publican to serve in Congress, Dent (R), who retired from the state New York’s 50 counties franchise fees. “So effectively, in a dire drop in resources for was running for her third term. old 15th Congressional District. and added three additional the FCC is inviting cable oper- PEG channels throughout the Cook County Commissioner Nothstein, a Republican, fell counties in his column, but was ators to force smaller jurisdic- nation.” Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, handily behind in his bid to win the new outflanked by Cuomo’s wins in tions, where there is already There are more than 1,500 won the Illinois’ 4th District 7th District, losing to Democrat New York’s large cities. limited newspaper and almost public, educational, and gov- no television news, to pick be- ernmental studios/operations tween operating cable chan- and an estimated 3,000 PEG nels that provide the public channels in America. Reli- with access to board meetings gious programming represents BEHIND ALPINE COUNTY, and community information, 30 percent of local access pro- THE or receiving any funding from gramming. Tens of thousands Calif. franchise fees,” she said. of hours of programming is SEAL Adopted: 1888 In September, the FCC voted produced by veterans, seniors, to confirm that a local fran- the disabled and ethnic, mi- chise authority’s ability to reg- nority and second language ucked against western Nevada, Alpine County, ulate cable service does not ex- groups. Calif.’s seal features the Goddess of Liberty seat- tend to broadband and other Other senators signing the T ed in the left foreground with a spear and shield non-cable TV services and that letter include Senators Tam- in either hand and a grizzly bear standing by her side. In in-kind commitments those my Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Mag- the center, a miner is at work with a brick and a spade. authorities get from provid- gie Hassan (D-N.H.), Ben Two vessels float at full sail in a body of water bounded ers as part of franchise agree- Cardin (D-Md.), Jeff Merkley in the background by mountains with a passageway in ments count toward the 5 per- (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I- the center. A semicircle of 13 stars form an arch over the cent franchise fee cap, with the Vt.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), word “EUREKA.” exception of providing public, Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Pat Le- educational and government ahy (D-Vt.), Richard Blumen- If you would like your county’s seal featured in “Behind channels. The Commission is thal (D-Conn.), and Elizabeth the Seal,” contact Charlie Ban at [email protected]. considering applying the pro- Warren (D-Mass). 4 NOVEMBER 12, 2018 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS

SEE, SEARCH, PRINT. Explore the digital archives of County News as it celebrates 50 years serving counties and the NACo community. www.NACo.org/CountyNewsArchive COUNTY NEWS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES NOVEMBER 12, 2018 5 Will a divided 116th Congress work on bipartisan priorities important to nation’s counties? by Hadi Sedigh of the current session, includ- seats in the House, skewing tions of federal judges and a formerly Independent seat ing an overdue reauthoriza- closely to the average loss of cabinet officials, but the party in Alaska, leaving the party in Four years of bicameral Re- tion of the farm bill and po- 25 seats for the president’s is still several votes short of a control of 27 states heading publican control of Congress tential movement on a major party in midterm elections filibuster-proof majority. into 2019. will end in January after Dem- criminal justice reform bill. since World War II. In races for governorships Democratic momentum in ocrats secured a majority in Whether or not the election Democrats, meanwhile, and state legislatures through- the midterm elections car- the U.S. House of Represen- results Nov. 6 are considered were felled in the Senate by out the country, meanwhile, ried over to state legislatures, tatives in the 2018 midterm a “blue wave,” Democratic an election map that called Democrats made consider- where Democrats flipped a to- elections. momentum heading into the for the party to defend 26 of able gains, chipping away at tal of six legislative chambers On some issues — includ- elections failed to prevent Re- 33 contested seats, including significant majorities built by in five states: Colorado’s Sen- ing several key county issues publicans from maintaining blue seats in five states that Republicans over the last sev- ate, Maine’s Senate, Minneso- — alignment of the parties’ and strengthening their ma- President Trump won by at eral years. ta’s House, New Hampshire’s priorities could result in bi- jority in the U.S. Senate, set- least 18 points in 2016. Outside the nation’s capital, House and Senate and New partisan agreement on major ting up a divided 116th Con- The end result is a divided 36 states held gubernatori- York’s Senate. pieces of legislation. gress that could be marked 116th Congress in which both al races in the 2018 midterm The House in Alaska, on the The day after the election, by partisan contention and parties could struggle to ad- elections. other hand, switched from Senate Majority Leader Mitch gridlock. vance their legislative priori- Democratic candidates Democratic to Republican McConnell (R-Ky.) expressed Heading into the midterm ties. fared well in these races, hands. willingness to work with Dem- elections, two factors seemed In the House, the impact managing to flip seven gov- Overall, Democrats reduced ocratic House leadership on a likely to influence the out- of the Democrats’ victory will ernorships previously held by the Republican control of state new infrastructure package, come in Congress: the his- be tempered by the party’s Republicans: Illinois, Kansas, legislative chambers from which President Trump has torical improbability of the relatively slim majority in the Maine, Michigan, Nevada, 67 heading into the midterm cited as a priority throughout president’s party maintaining chamber and, more impor- New Mexico and Wisconsin. elections to a still-significant his administration. control in the House, and a tantly, continued Republican Despite this sizeable shift, 62 heading into 2019. Several other legislative particularly challenging set control of the White House the GOP will retain control packages important to coun- of races for Democrats in the and Senate. of a majority of governors’ Hadi Sedigh is the director of ties could become bipartisan Senate. With most races set- In the upper chamber, a mansions across the country, NACo’s Counties Futures Lab priorities in the next Congress tled, each of these factors has likely two-seat gain will in- thanks to its 33-governorship and previously served as NA- if they are not first addressed played out as predicted. crease the GOP’s margin for majority heading into the mid- Co’s associate legislative direc- in the final “lame duck” weeks Republicans lost at least 30 internal dissent in confirma- term elections and pickup of tor for Justice & Public Safety.

Voters have their say: From homestead tax exemptions to lobbying practices

From VOTE page 1 “The initiative included a ernments’ ability to impose abolish constitutional, or row, provision that exempted coun- Arizona voters rent control and exempting offices or require them to be state previously made too ties from paying their portion single-family homes and con- elected offices. Voters in the much for Medicaid coverage of the cost — the county match banned taxes on dos from rent control. They Sunshine State did, however, and not enough for their own — for the expansion popula- services such as also defeated Proposition 6, defeat a $25,000 homestead coverage, but Grigg said it was tion. It also did not include a pet grooming and which would have repealed tax exemption, and approved safe to assume many of those provision for a ‘carve out’ for the state’s 2017 gas and diesel a permanent cap on proper- people would now be covered. behavioral healthcare ser- fitness activities. tax and require a ballot mea- ty tax assessment increases The problems remain in the vices,” he said. sure to increase those taxes in for non-homestead proper- $8.6 million counties spent Behavioral healthcare ap- on land use authority of local the future. The California State ty. Public officials, including the last fiscal year on mental pears to be considered main- governments, a prohibition on Association of Counties was county officials, will be barred health. Limited capabilities in stream healthcare, he added, taxing the products and multi- also active in opposing Prop- from being paid for lobbying Idaho hospitals mean many which would open the door ple limitations on law enforce- osition 5, which was defeated. work during or six years after people subject to involuntary for the Accountable Care Or- ment and prosecution related It would have expanded an their terms in office. commitments end up treated ganizations in Utah, the main to possession and production. already existing property tax Louisiana’s voters voted to at facilities that are not eligible Medicaid providers, to take “The Utah Legislature is break for home-owning se- prohibit convicted felons from for Medicaid reimbursement. over all care for the expansion considering ways to modify niors and people with disabil- seeking or holding a public The changing nature of be- population. the initiative, now law, with- ities, at the cost of over $1 bil- office for five years after com- havioral health care services “If that occurs, then the out violating the intent of it,” lion per year for local agencies. pleting their sentences. will affect how Utah’s expan- county authorities and coun- Trupp said. “That is proving to Arizona counties cannot New Hampshire residents sion goes, once it takes effect ty providers will have a much be very complicated and some enact or increase taxes on can now take legal action in April 2019. more narrow role and, in fact, of the solutions offered may be services including fitness ac- against the state or local gov- “At this point there are differ- may have almost no role in the as troublesome as the problem tivities, pet grooming, finan- ernment to declare that the ing opinions on the long-term healthcare system,” he said. they are seeking to correct.” cial services and healthcare. government spent, or has ap- impacts,” said Adam Trupp, Utah voters also passed a California voters defeated Counties there can now only proved spending, public funds executive director of the Utah medical marijuana provision, Proposition 10, preserving tax goods and property. in violation of a law, ordinance Association of Counties. which includes limitations keeping a limit on local gov- Florida’s counties cannot or constitutional provision. 6 NOVEMBER 12, 2018 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS The baby boomers are coming — Is your county ready?

By Mary Ann Barton editor

If you remember using a pay phone, a typewriter or listen- ing to music on a record player, you’re likely a member of the baby boomer generation. This unusually large gener- ation is living longer, in better health and working longer — and because of that, they’re looking for meaning, new ca- reers and new experiences. About 10,000 baby boomers — those born between 1946 and 1964 — turn 65 each day. About 26 million of them began hitting retirement age about 10 years ago and another 50 million will turn 65 in the next 10 years. By the year 2026, 17 states will be in what Fitch Ratings calls a “super aged” category, meaning at least 20 percent of their pop- ulations will be 65 or older. And by 2030, all baby boomers will be older than 65, expanding the life expectancy was 70.9; today boomers who account for 52 real estate industry is really try- recreation and service opportu- size of the older population so it’s 77.9) than previous gener- percent of the 3.2 million own- ing to do with this measure is nities for healthy boomers. that one in every five residents ations, retirement health care er-occupied homes in the state. turn over the market and drive These are all some of the is- will be retirement age. is almost certain to consume a That’s because senior citizens’ up prices so their end profit is sues that Kathy Schey deals with “The aging of baby boomers greater portion of county bud- home assessments are capped, really to their benefit,” said Dor- on a daily basis, as the head of means that within just a couple gets,” Shafroth said. and they pay taxes only on that othy Johnson, CSAC legislative Frederick County, Md.’s new Di- decades, older people are pro- Counties invest approximate- frozen amount until they move representative. CSAC argues vision of Senior Services, which jected to outnumber children for ly $83 billion annually in com- from the home. In 2015, those that it would have permanent- got off the ground earlier this the first time in U.S. history,” said munity health and hospitals, exemptions accounted for $6.5 ly eroded the property tax base year. The county released a re- Jonathan Vespa, a demographer and about $28 billion to the billion in home values being and result in county losses to- port in 2016, which took a year with the U.S. Census Bureau. non-federal share of Medicaid, transferred to other residents, taling hundreds of millions of to prepare from surveys and As the baby boomers age and NACo research shows. according to the state depart- dollars statewide, growing to $1 community focus groups, that retire, what impact will they While health care for senior ment of revenue. billion annually for local gov- made 33 recommendations for have on counties? residents could put a strain “This is a big chunk of the ernments and an additional improvements in services for se- When it comes to an aging on county budgets, other con- population and they’re going to $1 billion loss for schools. The niors. (See the report at: https:// population, for starters you’re siderations include things like live longer,” said Carol Portman, California Legislative Analyst’s bit.ly/2PgBAUH.) likely see a rise in health care capped home assessments and president of the Taxpayers Fed- Office concluded that Prop. 5 The report highlighted the costs and tax subsidies in your other tax breaks for seniors, ac- eration of Illinois. “The dollar would eventually cost local gov- need for a new division to ad- county, said Frank Shafroth, di- cording to Shafroth. Property cost to everyone else in some of ernments $2 billion a year in dress the needs of the county’s rector for State and Local Gov- taxes account for about 35 per- these instances is going to grow revenue. exploding senior population, ernment Leadership at George cent of local revenue. in ways that likely weren’t antic- On top of reduced property expected to grow at a rate three Mason University in Fairfax Limiting property tax assess- ipated when each one of these taxes, a county with a large se- times that of the overall popula- County, Va. ments crimps county budgets, breaks were added individually.” nior population could see more tion and exceed the number of Medicaid is the second larg- Shafroth said. “Any limitations In California, voters gave a demand on county services such school-aged children by 2020, est budget item for states behind on one of the most critical sourc- thumbs down Nov. 6 on Prop- as 911 calls, ambulances and according to the Maryland De- education and counties will es of county income — property osition 5, which would have hospitals, addressing dementia partment of Planning. have to bear more of the costs as taxes — especially coming in an allowed homeowners age 55 as a public safety responsibil- The division’s departments costs rise for the states. aging America, could put many and older to receive a tax break ity and adopting programs for will include: “Counties, far more than cit- counties between a rock and a when they move. dealing with loneliness. ●● Home and Community Con- ies, provide health care — and hard place.” The California State Associ- In addition to services geared nections, which promotes aging with Americans living longer County residents in Illinois ation of Counties (CSAC) op- to medical and healthcare is- (about 50 years ago, the average will help make up a gap for baby posed the measure. “What the sues, counties must also look at See BOOMERS page 7 COUNTY NEWS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES NOVEMBER 12, 2018 7 Baby boomers: Economic boon or bust? HERBERT M. “TIM” PROFILES IN RICHARDS, III, DVM ●● From BOOMERS page 6 Social and Civic Engagement Seniors can call or book their Board Member ●● Economic and workforce trip online, and TransIT will SERVICE Council Member, Hawaii County, in place, remaining healthy, ac- development, and send a driver to pick them up Hawaii tive and in the community ●● Communications, outreach and take them to their destina- ●● Life Enrichment, which pro- and collaboration. tion. There is no federal fund- Number of years involved in motes education, civic and so- “Of special interest is the col- ing for the program (compared NACo: Two cial engagement, recreation and laboration of the Senior Services to 50 percent federal funding Years in public service: Two fitness, and Division and Frederick County contribution to fixed route or ●● Operations, which fuels the TransIT to address the transpor- rural services). State funding Occupation: Veterinarian and entire division tation needs,” Schey said. “This has been flat at only $159,159 rancher “Our goal is to empower, en- is particularly important as our for well over 10 years, and the Education: Doctor of Veter- gage and equip each individual, county is the largest geographic county contributes more than inary Medicine, Washington meeting them at their point of county in the state of Maryland.” $500,000, she said. State University need, interest or ability,” Schey “We know that Frederick “With the fast-paced growth Four people (living or dead) said. In addition to the 2016 re- County seniors want more of our senior population, Tran- I’d invite to dinner are: Abra- port, the county is also using transportation options, from sIT has been inundated with ham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, a 2013 needs assessment that walkable communities to public trip requests, more than there RICHARDS my Great Uncle Atherton and my identified several major areas transit,” she noted. “In addition are resources to fill,” she said. mother, Phyllis A. Richards. My pet peeve is: Greed and the county needs to work on, to fixed route and rural shut- “As a result, citizens are some- self-serving dealings. including: tle service, our County TransIT times unable to access this A dream I have is to: Be- ●● Accessible and affordable Services provide paratransit ser- vital transportation. This is an come a regent for my alma ma- My motto is: “Damn the torpe- housing vice for seniors and people with area that needs attention, as ter, Washington State University. does, full speed ahead.” ●● Transportation disabilities. This paratransit ser- transportation is the gateway The most adventurous My favorite movie is: Band ●● Long term services and sup- vice is a lifeline for seniors with to accessing healthcare, so- thing I’ve ever done is: of Brothers. ports no other way to get to medical cialization, and connection to Become a politician. My favorite music is: Hawai- ●● Opportunity for health and other appointments.” the community.” My favorite way to relax is ian and country western. to: Move cattle for grazing. My favorite president is: SOME LOCAL GOVERNMENTS VIE FOR ATTENTION OF I’m most proud of: Rekin- Abraham Lincoln. RETIRING BABY BOOMERS dling the alumni association of My county is a member of the Washington State University NACo because: Being a small Cougar Crew Rowing Team. county in the middle of the Pacific t’s a demographic some and lifelong learning for people population grew 33 percent Every morning I read: The Ocean, some 2,500 miles from local governments are over 50. Meanwhile about 10 between 2010 and 2017. I local newspapers. the next nearest state, having courting. Fueled by dollars communities catering to the Earlier this year, the Census from both Leon County, Fla., older crowd — with swimming Bureau ranked it #10 in the My favorite meal is: Steak working relationships with other and Tallahassee, Fla., “Choose pools and golf courses — are nation as the fastest-growing tartar and bone marrow. counties can only help us solve Tallahassee” is going out of its under construction. metropolitan area. some of our challenges. In dealing way to recruit baby boomers Boomers spend a lot. They’re For counties with a total with the federal government, as residents. Headed up by a demographic whose annual population of 50,000 or more, speaking with one voice provides an executive director and economic activity is roughly Sumter County is followed by: a greater opportunity for us in ●● I am a with help from a cadre of $7.6 trillion, according to BroomfieldCounty, Colo., serving our constituents. volunteers, the entity bought AARP. As of 2013, Americans a suburb of Denver, which saw lifetime ads with the tagline “Things over the age of 50 represent a 17.6 percent increase in Aren’t the Same Since You the third-largest economy in population between 2010 and Girl Scout. Left” aimed at baby boomers the world, according to the 2014, and who have left the area, gone to group. ●● Rockwall County, Texas, a college there or once worked They are also moving more. suburb of Dallas, which saw an in the area. Ads are targeted at Using Medicare enrollment, increase of 16.9 percent. Both parents enticing them to recruit the Census Bureau calculates are mid-sized suburban areas. their parents living elsewhere, the movement of the 65 and Among counties with a pop- showcasing advantages such older population. Although ulation of 20,000 to 50,000, as free babysitting. Other young adults tend to migrate Jasper County, S.C. leads the ads are targeted to boomers, the most, the Census Bureau way with 28.1 percent followed touting free tech support and also sees a spike in migration by Kendall County, located in handyman services from their among retirees. Texas hill country north of San offspring. Central Florida’s Sumter Antonio, at 14.9 percent. Choose Tallahassee even County is ranked among the For smaller counties with held a contest offering a year nation’s fastest-growing metro fewer than 20,000 people in of free housing and other areas. That’s mainly due to the 2014, Stark County, Ill., north perks. The winners, two retired number of retirees flocking to of Peoria., leads the list at 17.3 teachers who had planned to the area dubbed The Villages. percent with Lake County, S.D., move back to their hometown The development, named by north of Sioux Falls, following in Alabama, said Tallahassee Forbes magazine among the at 13.9 percent and Se- had many of the perks they top 25 places to retire, spreads quatchie County, Tenn. north of were looking for such as col- into neighboring Lake and Chattanooga, coming in third lege football, plays, musicals Marion counties. The Villages’ at 12.6 percent. 8 NOVEMBER 12, 2018 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS

CN JOB MARKET U.S. Treasury, IRS issue regulations

DIRECTOR OF WORKFORCE & DEVELOPMENT on investment in Opportunity Zones COUNTY OF IMPERIAL, MO. Salary: $8,917 - $10,842/mo. By Daria Daniel 1), which authorized the desig- for at least five years, there is Closing Date: 11/29/2018 nation of Opportunity Zones to a 10 percent exclusion of the County of Imperial is looking for qualified applicants for the following The U.S. Department of Trea- spur investment in distressed deferred gain. If held for more position: DIRECTOR OF WORKFORCE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT sury and the Internal Revenue communities throughout the than seven years, the tax defer- Approx Monthly Salary $8,917 - $10,842 Deadline: 11/29/18. Service released proposed reg- United States, by offering tax ment increases to 15 percent. For detailed information visit our website at www.co.imperial.ca.us. ulations and guidance Oct. 19 incentives for investments in If an investor maintains the in- Applications & job descriptions may be obtained at Human Resources on investment in Opportunity those areas. vestment in the QOF for more Dept. 940 W. Main Street, Suite #101 El Centro, CA 92243 Zones, a newly enacted federal Each governor nominated than 10 years, the investor is program that aims to spur in- local areas within their state eligible for an increase in basis vestment in economically dis- for these designations, and the of the QOF investment equal advantaged Census tracts. U.S. Treasury reviewed these to its fair market value on the The regulations will help in- areas and designated a total of date that the QOF investment vestors and local governments 8,761 zones. is sold or exchanged. WORD MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. determine the types of devel- All 50 states, the District of If your county has designat- SEARCH Created by: Mary Ann Barton opment eligible for Opportu- Columbia and five U.S. terri- ed zones and you are in the nity Zone investments and will tories have designated oppor- process of working to secure provide more details about the tunity zones, which will retain investments, have informa- G G A N S C T M N Y V K C T H F Q W G S tax benefits for investors. that designation for the next tion, lessons learned or best Z L E T F A T N U O C C O A U F G R Z C The agencies are seeking decade. The complete list of practices to share, please share X M O U X O L M X C L E W G G E A E P B comments on the proposed designated Opportunity Zones them with NACo staff: Daria E R U T L U C I R G A B B M I P C W N I regulations, and counties are is available here: https://bit. Daniel at [email protected] F P K M K C V R N S Q N O Z E A J W B X encouraged to submit their ly/2EkPfFI. and Jack Peterson at jpeter- T S X Q H Q V R C A O I Y S E N E Q Y F comments by the deadline of Opportunity Zone investors [email protected]. G M E T C Z I C Q W S E O D N A P L L Y Dec. 14 by visiting https://bit. will benefit from tax deferment K Z H I G C E Y S T N T J O I M P Y L T ly/2qlfSRe. on capital gains invested in a Daria Daniel is the associate G O L F L C Y P R E S S D Y X R H D P M In December 2017, Presi- Qualified Opportunity Fund legislative director for Commu- G T K W P F R E I F Z B J C M O J M U W dent Trump signed into law (QOF) until Dec. 31, 2026. If nity, Economic and Workforce E M X T G L R Q W Y D L B W I N I I J L the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. the QOF investment is held Development at NACo. E B K V Y H M E T X J I X Q D W R J H C F N N U E U S I T O R H F C Q A Y T B C P F B L S L Q I D T Y H S I U K W G E Q Age Discrimination Act applies to any H F Z S J Q N X R B U H R Q S H B D V L I N E T X O K P D O V B A Z X I D P T D size local government entity C E Q Z R A Q Y T W D V G N A P T Z S J B A B I D Y Z Y P T H S C Z K C O K W U By Lisa Soronen because it employs fewer than Finally, the statute pairs states T H R F X X L K X Q M U Q B S U K B B C 20 people. The Ninth Circuit and their political subdivisions P I Z T A U D U I A J R L P R B Q L M Z In its first opinion of the term disagreed. The term “employ- with agents, “a discrete category in Mount Lemmon Fire District er” is defined in the ADEA as a that, beyond doubt, carries no AGRICULTURE: The county’s eco- located on 17-Mile Drive, is thought to v. Guido, the Supreme Court “person engaged in an industry numerical limitation.” nomic contribution to agriculture is be about 250 years old. ruled 8–0 that the federal Age affecting commerce who has The SLLC amicus brief point- $8.2 billion. DORIS: Film actress Doris Day, 96, is a Discrimination in Employment 20 or more employees.” The ed out that small special dis- AQUARIUM: Monterey Bay Aquarium resident of the county. Act (ADEA) applies to state and definition goes on to say “[t]he tricts, like the Mount Lemmon features more than 35,000 creatures GRAPES: The county is classified as local government employers term also means (1) any agent of Fire District, are very common. representing more than 550 sea life Region I and Region II when it comes to and marine species. with fewer than 20 employees. such a person, and (2) a State or Particularly in rural areas there growing grapes, comparable to Napa, The State and Local Legal Cen- political subdivision of a State.” are “few alternatives to lay- ART: Art galleries abound in Carmel- Sonoma, Burgundy and Bordeaux. ter filed an amicus brief arguing The Supreme Court, in an offs and terminations when by-the-Sea, where there is one art GOLF: The Monterey Peninsula is known gallery for every 34 residents. that it should not apply. State opinion written by Justice Ruth budget cuts must be made,” as a golf destination; it includes 26 and local governments often Bader Ginsburg, held that the making small special districts BEES: Pinnacles National Park has the public and private courses. highest concentration of bee species, rely on small special districts to phrase “also means” adds a new particularly vulnerable to age NORMA: Norma Jean Baker, aka nearly 400, of anywhere on the planet. provide services they don’t pro- category to the definition of discrimination lawsuits. Marilyn Monroe, served as the Arti- vide. employer (that contains no size BUTTERFLIES: The county is home to choke Queen in 1948 in the county’s thousands of Monarch butterflies that Castroville region. John Guido was 46 and Den- requirement) rather than clari- Lisa Soronen is the executive visit Pacific Grove each year. nis Rankin was 54 when they fies that states and their political director of the State and Lo- SALINAS: The largest city and the COUNT: The county was named for county seat. were laid off by the Mount Lem- subdivisions are a type of per- cal Legal Center. NACo is a the viceroy of New Spain, Count de mon Ariz. Fire District. They son contained in the first sen- founder, a funder and a board STEINBECK: Author John Steinbeck Monte Ray. is from Monterey County; he featured claim they were terminated be- tence. The court reasoned that member of the State and Local COWBOY: The county is home to the characters who lived in the county. cause of their age in violation of “also means” is “additive” rath- Legal Center, headquartered in Monterey Cowboy Festival, which the ADEA. They were the oldest er than “clarifying.” The court Washington, D.C. The center SUR: If you head to Big Sur, you’ll likely showcases artists who champion the be crossing Bixby Bridge, more than of the district’s 11 employees. noted the phrase is common extends NACo’s advocacy on “cowboy way of life.” 250 feet tall, built by prisoners from San The fire district argued that in the U.S. Code and “typically behalf of counties to the highest CYPRESS: The Lone Cypress tree, Quentin State Prison. the ADEA does not apply to it carrying an additive meaning.” court in the land. COUNTY NEWS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES NOVEMBER 12, 2018 9 New guide helps rural counties fight opioid crisis By Austin Igleheart SPEEDREAD The White House Office of Rural Resource Guide to National Drug Control Policy Help Communities Address (ONDCP) and the U.S. Depart- Substance Use Disorder ment of Agriculture (USDA) and Opioid Misuse: has released the Rural Re- https://bit.ly/2Jprzix source Guide to Help Commu- USDA Rural Opioid Misuse nities Address Substance Use web page: https://bit. Disorder and Opioid Misuse. ly/2EXeOMh Developed by USDA and ONDCP-led Rural Federal Opioid Interagency Working tion, which the president signed Group, the guide can be used into law Oct. 24. Counties are to help build resilient commu- areas, where employment op- interagency coordination and local level. This toolbox is free encouraged to take advantage of nities and address opioid mis- portunities are often limited and mitigating redundancy in the and available to the public and these federal resources as they use in rural areas. isolation is pervasive, according federal government’s response can be found on USDA’s Rural work to stem the impact of the Rural communities across the to the CDC. Between 1999 and to the crisis in rural areas. Opioid Misuse Webpage. Other crisis on their residents. NACo United States have been hit es- 2015, opioid death rates in rural NACo serves as a member of programs currently available on will continue to provide updates pecially hard by the opioid crisis. areas have quadrupled among USDA’s Rural Opioid Working the website include the Com- as the working group develops In fact, the Centers for Disease those 18-to-25-year-olds and tri- Group, which is currently de- munity Assessment Tool, which and releases additional tools for Control and Prevention (CDC) pled for females. veloping a series of resources helps local leaders assess the their Community Opioid Mis- reported in late 2017 that the To address this problem, the to add to USDA’s Community causes and impact of opioid use Toolbox. rate of overdose deaths in rural Rural Opioid Federal Interagen- Opioid Misuse Toolbox. The misuse in their communities. communities had surpassed the cy Working Group — organized toolbox will provide a full suite The release of ONDCP and Igleheart is a legislative assis- overdose death rate in urban ar- by the White House in May — re- of resources designed to sup- USDA’s joint guide comes short- tant at NACo. Arthur Scott, as- eas. The effects of the opioid ep- leased the Rural Resource Guide port grassroots strategies for ad- ly after Congress’ passage of sociate legislative director, con- idemic are more intense in rural as a means of improving federal dressing the opioid crisis at the comprehensive opioid legisla- tributed to this article.

CELEBRATING 49 YEARS OF INNOVATION 2019 ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

APPLY FOR THE 2019 ACHIEVEMENT IMPORTANT DATES: AWARDS • SUBMISSIONS DEADLINE: Does your county have an innovative program that improves MARCH 25, 2019 AT 11:59 P.M. EDT county government and enhances services for county • NOTIFICATIONS OF ACHIEVEMENT residents? Apply for the 2019 Achievement Awards! There are AWARDS: WEEK OF APRIL 22, 2019 18 categories ranging from information technology, health, criminal justice, human services and many more. • NACo ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND EXPOSITION: JULY 11 – 15, 2019 To begin your application visit: CLARK COUNTY/LAS VEGAS, NEVADA www.naco.org/achievementawards 10 NOVEMBER 12, 2018 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS the HR Family and Medical Leave Act: DOCTOR Not Always as Simple as It Seems with Philpot & Winkeler

Many supervisors’ comfort level with Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) ends with birth or adoption of a child. The birth or adoption FMLA cases are frequent and rela- tively easy. The arrival of the child is anticipated and talked about with excitement, and in most cases, the employee comes back to work. But what about the other uses of FMLA? And what if they turn into something else? There are many specifics to FMLA, but in broad terms, the FMLA provides employees unpaid leave to address seri- ous medical issues while both continuing their group health insurance and protecting their job. While FMLA doesn’t apply to all employers, it does apply to all public-sector employ- ers. The employee must work both uncomfortable. At the comfort and pain for several to work, and only wanted to Employees may immediately 1,250 hours in the previous 12 same time, Clara has worked months, but it is not impact- remain on the insurance as apply for FMLA after receiv- months to be eligible. The De- with Dale for nearly 20 years, ing her work. Her physician long as possible. It is discour- ing serious disciplinary action, partment of Labor has a great and knows that if he asks, it is recommends rest, alternating aging for supervisors to have to prevent anticipated termi- FMLA Frequently Asked Ques- only because he cares. They ice and heat, and over-the- an employee fail to return af- nation and gain some time to tions (FAQs) on its website. have discussed other medical counter anti-inflammatoryter holding the position open find other employment. Oth- Let’s look at some examples needs in the past, such as Dale’s medications. After seeing her for so many weeks. And, it is er employees may try to use of FMLA. ACL surgery, and she doesn’t several times and seeing no discouraging to lose a valued intermittent leave to obtain Deep needs a total hip re- want him to assume the worst. improvement, the physician co-worker. a schedule change or get nu- placement and will be off work In the end, Clara tells Dale that recommends physical therapy. Veronica has been diag- merous Fridays and Mondays for four to six weeks. Deep has she needs surgery, is uncom- Paulette, being under the care nosed with cancer and seeks off work. Employers some- been employed with the coun- fortable discussing her diag- of a physician, completes the cancer treatment in anoth- times receive a doctor’s note ty for more than one year, full nosis, and shares the amount FMLA paperwork and is grant- er city. After exhausting her that seems to be dictated by time and is eligible under the of time she expects to be off. ed intermittent FMLA leave. leave, Veronica is not cancer the employee, saying that an FMLA law. He has never tak- Dale is understanding and tells After several months with little free, but returns home and de- employee cannot work a cer- en FMLA leave previously and her not to worry; he will only improvement, the doctor rec- sires to return to work, to give tain shift, perform a specific works closely with Human Re- tell the staff that she is on leave ommends surgery and Paulette her life some of the routine she duty, or must be able to as of- sources to complete the paper- and he respects her privacy. He updates her medical certifica- had before becoming ill. The ten and at any time they be- work. Deep told his supervisor wishes her a speedy recovery. tion to show that she will be out doctor won’t release Veroni- lieve necessary. the reason for the leave, as he Sometimes, FMLA is not of the office on full-time FMLA ca to return to work, as she is What should the supervisor is excited to have the surgery so straightforward. Some rather than intermittent leave. very weak and on many med- do when overseeing an em- and is hopeful to return to employees don’t recover as In this case, the intermittent ications. The county grants ployee on FMLA? some of the activities he previ- quickly as expected. Some ex- leave preceded the full-time Veronica an unpaid leave of ●● Notify HR when an employ- ously enjoyed, such as hiking. perience complications during leave. absence after she exhausts her ee has an overnight hospital In another county, Clara also surgery. Some undergo many Sometimes, employees are FMLA to give her additional stay or is out for three consecu- needs FMLA, but is hesitant to tests and see many specialists unable to return to work after time to return to health. Veron- tive days and under the care of tell her supervisor why. Clara before finally being diagnosed exhausting their full 12 weeks ica does not return to work and a physician. Either of these cir- needs a hysterectomy and will or given treatment. Some have of leave. Perhaps they truly eventually loses her battle with cumstances may constitute a be out six to eight weeks. She is repeated follow-up visits that hoped to experience improved the cancer. serious health condition under uncomfortable discussing the require intermittent leave after health after their time off, only Unlike Veronica’s case, not the FMLA. Human Resources medical reason for the leave the employee has taken full- to find they were unable to re- all uses of the FMLA law are will send the appropriate pa- with her male supervisor, Dale, time leave. turn after 12 weeks. Perhaps heart-wrenching or even hon- as she feels it will make them Paulette has shoulder dis- they never intended to return est. There is abuse of FMLA. See FMLA page16 COUNTY NEWS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES NOVEMBER 12, 2018 11 MONEYMATTERS A Best Practice from the Government Finance Officers Association Financial Policies

The Government Finance Fund Balance can candidly discuss concerns. and procedures necessary Officers Association (GFOA) Best practice Guidelines for the By effectively carrying out its to minimize a government’s has been promoting improved articles General Fund functions and responsibili- exposure to potential loss in financial management within Another important policy ties, an audit committee helps connection with its financial state and local governments combine policy for every local government is to ensure that management management activities). The since 1906. GFOA represents recommendations, its policy on fund balance. In properly develops and adheres advisory explains that these more than 19,500 finance of- implementation its Fund Balance Guidelines to a sound system of internal taxable bonds are sometimes ficers throughout the United for the General Fund best controls; that procedures are issued as part of an overall States and Canada, including guidance and self- practice, GFOA recommends in place to objectively assess strategy to fund the unfund- many of the finance directors, assessment tools. that governments establish a management practices; and ed portion of a government’s treasurers, debt managers, formal policy on the level of that the independent audi- pension liabilities by creating investment officers, budget unrestricted funds that should tors, through their own review, debt. The use of POBs rests on officers and accountants that Financial Policies be maintained in the general objectively assess the gov- the assumption that the bond work in the finance depart- Financial policies provide fund. ernment’s financial reporting proceeds, when invested with ment of many NACo-repre- guidelines for financial deci- The adequacy of an unre- practices. pension assets in higher-yield- sented counties. sion-making and are central stricted fund balance in the GFOA’s recommends that ing asset classes, will be able GFOA provides training, to a strategic, long-term ap- general fund should consid- the governing body of every to achieve a rate of return that research papers, consulting, proach to financial manage- er each government’s own state and local government is greater than the interest networking opportunities, ment. Governments adopt unique circumstances. Never- should establish an audit rate owed over the term of the publications and recogni- formal financial policies to theless, GFOA recommends, at committee or its equivalent, bonds. However, POBs involve tion-award programs to those institutionalize good financial a minimum, that general-pur- and that the audit commit- considerable investment risk, members, but its most popu- management practices, clar- pose governments, regardless tee should be formally estab- making this goal very specu- lar and valuable resource is ify strategic intent, promote of size, maintain unrestricted lished by charter, enabling lative. Failing to achieve the its series of GFOA best prac- long-term thinking, manage budgetary fund balances in resolution or other appropri- targeted rate of return bur- tice statements. These best risks and set decision-making their general fund of no less ate legal means, and made dens the issuer with both the practices, help governments boundaries. than two months of regular directly responsible for the debt service requirements of improve all areas of public GFOA has a few best prac- general fund operating reve- appointment, compensation, the taxable bonds and the un- finance — accounting, finan- tices related to financial poli- nues or regular general fund retention, and oversight of the funded pension liabilities that cial reporting, budgeting, cap- cies. In the best practice titled operating expenditures. work of any independent ac- remain unmet because the in- ital planning, debt manage- Adopting Financial Policies, countants engaged for the pur- vestment portfolio did not per- ment, financial management, GFOA recommends that gov- Audit Committees pose of preparing or issuing form as anticipated. pension and benefit adminis- ernments formally adopt fi- The public’s attention is also an independent audit report GFOA’s advisory on POBs tration, and treasury and in- nancial policies. GFOA then focused on the importance of or performing other indepen- clearly states that GFOA recom- vestment management. provides best practices that sound internal controls, reli- dent audit, review, or attest mends that state and local gov- Best practices, which are supplement the main category able financial reports and in- services; ernments do not issue POBs. available free on GFOA’s such as: dependent audits. An effective Overall, GFOA has approx- website at www.gfoa.org/ ●● Capital Planning Policies audit committee is crucial for Pension Obligation imately 200 best practice and best-practices, identify spe- ●● Debt Management Policy achieving all three. Bonds advisory statements that pro- cific policies and procedures ●● Policy for Retirement Plan GFOA’s Audit Committees Across the United States, it vide the foundation for many that contribute to improved Design Options best practice explains the is difficult to discuss fiscal -sus of its products and services government management. ●● Economic Development proper design and operation of tainability and financial man- and provide guidance for state Best practice articles com- Incentive Policies audit committees in the public agement without mentioning and local governments. bine policy recommenda- ●● Establishing an Effective sector. the challenge many govern- We encourage all govern- tions, implementation guid- Grants Policy, or An audit committee is a ments face with their pension ments to implement these best ance and self-assessment ●● Establishing an Effective practical means for a gov- liability. Pension obligation practices as part of an over- tools. In this way, the GFOA’s Investment Policy. erning body to provide much bonds, commonly known as all effort to improve financial best practices can be ex- Each best practice (available needed independent review POBs, come up regularly as management. tremely helpful and valuable from GFOA’s financial policy and oversight of the govern- a strategy for addressing that If you have any questions for elected officials as well as resource center at available at ment’s financial reporting liability, however, any gov- on a best practice or are look- professional staff. This article gfoa.org/financial-policy-re- processes, internal controls ernment discussing the use of ing for additional information, highlights several of GFOA’s source-center) provides con- and independent auditors. An POBs must also understand examples, or implementa- most popular best practices siderations for each govern- audit committee also provides their considerable risk. tion guidance, please don’t that should be required read- ment in developing its own a forum separate from man- GFOA has a Pension Obli- hesitate to contact GFOA at ing for any county elected of- policy or set of financial poli- agement in which auditors gation Bonds advisory (advi- 312.977.9700 or at research@ ficial. cies. and other interested parties sories identify specific policies gfoa.org. 12 NOVEMBER 12, 2018 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS EACH DAY ARTS, COMMUNITY, BUSINESS, PHILANTHROPIC, AND ELECTED LEADERS ARE TRANSFORMING AMERICA’S COMMUNITIES THROUGH THE ARTS. 2018 NATIONAL ARTS AWARDS – Honoring the Philanthropic Community, Arts Leadership, and Artists

Mavis Staples Justin Peck Ai Weiwei Ann Ziff Alliance for Young Carolyn Clark Powers Ted Arison Young Artist Award Marina Kellen French Outstanding Philanthropy in the Arts Award Artists & Writers Lifetime Achievement Award Contributions to the Arts Award Arts Education Award 2018 BUSINESS COMMITTEE FOR THE ARTS BCA 10 AWARDS – Honoring the Business Community

Churchill Downs Fifth Third Bank Fosun Int’l Shanghai CN Phillips 66 The Standard Tierney

UMB Financial Corporation VF Corporation West Bend Mutual Zions Bank Chandrika Tandon Square and Cheyenne Insurance Company Chairman of Tandon River Youth Project Capital Associates David Rockefeller BCA Leadership Award pARTnership Award 2018 ANNUAL LEADERSHIP AWARDS – Honoring Arts Community Leaders and Tourism Partners

Sarah Gonzales Triplett William Marino Quanice Floyd Renee Piechocki Paul Sznewajs Kristina Newman-Scott Director of Public Policy, CEO & Executive Director, Founder & Director, Artist & Public Executive Director, Director of Culture & Creative Many Michigan West Colfax Business Arts Administrators of Art Consultant Ingenuity State Historic Preservation, Alene Valkanas State Arts Improvement District Color Network Public Art Network Award Arts Education Award State of Connecticut Advocacy Award Michael Newton Award American Express Selina Roberts Ottum Award for Innovative Arts and Emerging Leaders Award for Arts Leadership1 Business Partnerships 2018 PUBLIC LEADERSHIP IN THE ARTS AWARDS – Honoring Elected Offi cials and Artist Advocates

Community Arts Training New Jersey Representative Maryland Governor Connecticut Lt. Governor Arkansas State Senator Santa Fe, NM Mayor Institute, Regional Arts Leonard Lance Larry Hogan Nancy Wyman Joyce Elliott Javier Gonzales Commission of St. Louis Public Leadership in the Public Leadership in the Public Leadership in the Public Leadership in the Public Leadership in the Robert E. Gard Arts Award for Congressional Arts Award for Governors Arts Award for State Arts Award for State Arts Award for Local Award for the Arts in Arts Leadership2 Arts Leadership2 Arts Leadership4 Arts Leadership5 Arts Leadership2 Community Life AMERICANS FOR THE ARTS THANKS ALL WHO SUPPORT THE ARTS AND ARTS EDUCATION IN AMERICA. Dallas, TX Mayor Hillsborough County, Michael Cerveris Mike Rawlings FL Board of County Citizen Artist Award2 VISIT US AT WWW.AMERICANSFORTHEARTS.ORG Public Leadership in the Commissioners Arts Award for Local Public Leadership in the (1) presented in conjunction with the National Endowment for the Arts. (2) presented in conjunction Arts Leadership2 Arts Award for County with The United States Conference of Mayors. (3) presented in conjunction with the National Association Arts Leadership3 of Counties. (4) presented in conjunction with the National Lieutenant Governors Association. (5) presented in conjunction with the National Conference of State Legislatures. COUNTY NEWS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES NOVEMBER 12, 2018 13

BRIGHTIDEAS MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. Fireplace ‘Swap-Out’ Improves Air Quality

PROBLEM: icopa County, most fireplac- Wood-burning fireplaces were es are ornamental, so people adding a lot of smoke that hurt aren’t relying on them to heat Maricopa County, Ariz.’s air their homes,” though there quality. are some exemptions if wood burning is the home’s sole SOLUTION: heating source. Subsidize conversions to Wesoloskie said the county gas-burning fireplaces or the expected many program par- installation of emissions control ticipants would pick the emis- systems. sions reduction converter, but so far, the 440 converts have By Charlie Ban broken 60 percent in favor of senior writer the gas fireplaces. “You can still operate the gas The fireplace serves a gath- fireplaces on ‘no burn’ days,” ering place and entertaining she said. “That might be why space in a lot of households, they’re more popular.” Over a something that really ties a little more than two years, the room together. But in Marico- county has spent $700,000 on pa County, Ariz., some of those the program, which is funded fireplaces are a health menace. ager. “Scientists take samples sions reduction. Once signed up for the pro- by money paid to the county as Nestled in a valley that is sub- of the air and what their studies ●● The catalytic emissions gram, homeowners take sur- penalties. ject to wintertime temperature showed was a lot of that smoke control system, installed in the veys to determine their wood “This is a good way to up- inversions, the Phoenix area is was coming from fireplaces.” chimney, reduces fine particu- burning habits and chose their grade your own home with lim- liable to sit under a gathering Three of the county’s 23 late matter by 70 percent. refit option. ited cost to the homeowner,” mass of smoke that can sink air-monitoring stations had The county does various out- Those refit costs range be- Wesoloskie said. “And it takes into residents’ lungs, once the particularly high concentra- reach campaigns, including tween $900 to $2,000, with a lot of the smoke out of the air wood-burning fireplaces light tions of fine particulate matter door hangers for houses in the some costs to the owner for that will ultimately lead to bad up for the season. from smoke, so the county’s target area and media outreach projects over-the-limit over- health conditions for people all The Valley of the Sun be- fireplace retrofit program fo- on Facebook, Twitter and Next runs that typically happen if over Maricopa County.” comes the Valley of Smoke, be- cused on encouraging homes Door. When air quality war- gas lines need to be extended. cause temperature inversions in those areas — comprising rants the county declaring a “no The catalytic converter might “Fireplace Retrofit Program” is limit air movement, and smoke nearly 97 square miles — to burn day,” smoke makes it easy necessitate a chimney cleaning the recipient of a 2018 NACo hangs in the air for a long time. swap out wood-burning fire- to suss out who is disregarding before installation. Achievement Award in the It’s particularly dangerous for places for gas units or emis- the order, and gives the county “There are programs like this Health category. Does your children, the elderly and peo- sions controls. Both options a chance to pitch the program. in the Pacific Northwest, but county have an innovative ple with lung conditions. aim at dramatically cutting “We don’t always get posi- typically those fireplaces are program that improves coun- “Seasonal smoke has been down the amount of fine par- tive press when it comes to “no located in the mountains, in ty government and enhances an issue, particularly in south ticulate matter in the air: burn” days, but we hope that by less-concentrated locations,” services for county residents? and west Phoenix,” said Tina ●● Natural gas fireplaces, offering these alternatives and Wesoloskie said. “And those Apply for the 2019 Achievement Wesoloskie, the county’s travel available for homes with gas subsides, we can offset some of fireplaces are often used for Awards! Visit www.naco.org/ reduction and outreach man- lines, has a 99 percent emis- that,” Wesoloskie said. heating purposes. Around Mar- achievementawards.

Welcome to Grayson County, Texas Grayson County was formed in 1846 and is named for Peter Wagener Grayson, former Attorney General of the state of GET TO Texas. The county is the birthplace of General Dwight D. KNOW... Eisenhower, who served as the 34th president of the United States from 1953 to 1961. Visitors can tour the Eisenhower Birthplace State Historic Site in Denison where he was born in 1890. Lake Texoma, one of the largest reservoirs in the United Welcome, States, is located in Grayson County on the Red River. During Grayson County, a drought in 2011, low water levels revealed several “ghost towns” that had been submerged beneath the lake in Texas the 1940s when the reservoir was filled. 14 NOVEMBER 12, 2018 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NATION CALIFORNIA ●● SAN LUIS OBISPO COUN- TY residents on a budget are breathing a sigh of relief due to a new way to pay their prop- erty taxes, the San Luis Obis- po New Times reported. The Board of Supervisors recently approved a resolution to pro- mote a new online payment system that allows homeown- ers to pay their property taxes in monthly installments. “I think it’s a pretty neat thing,” Jim Erb, county treasurer and CALIFORNIA tax collector, told the paper. ●● LOS ANGELES COUNTY recently cracked down on cock- As a result of the bust, the county passed an ordinance that went “We are kind of the first county fighting after the largest cockfighting bust in U.S. history last year, into effect this fall that limits the number of roosters that residents in the state to have an official a Humane Nation reported. The county sheriff’s department and can keep on private property. Up to 10 roosters can be kept on a installment program.” county animal care and control were on the scene to document large lot. The ordinance was drafted by the county’s department of Before this new payment nearly 8,000 birds on an 80-acre property. Investigators found animal care and control and introduced by Supervisors Kathryn program, dubbed “Easy Smart sick and dying birds as well as knives and training equipment. Barger and Sheila Kuehl. Pay,” was approved, residents had to pay their property taxes in two hefty installments each year. The new payment idea or retail giant to your county. ●●FULTON COUNTY gram,” Ellis said. The program got off the ground after Super- How about a place where Commissioner Bob El- got its start in 2014 in Lake visor Bruce Gibson requested residents and visitors lis recently introduced County, Ill. by a non-profit, that the county look into it to can go have some fun the “Text 4 Help” pro- Linking Efforts Against Drugs help residents in his district in the snow? In the gram to county schools or LEADS. The Fulton County better afford to pay new sewer Sunshine State? and county govern- text line is funded by a grant service charges in the 2017- PASCO COUN- ment, the Marietta from the Fulton-DeKalb Hos- 2018 fiscal year. “It really is a TY is considering Daily Journal reported. pital Authority. The program jump into, let’s call it the 21st approving a snow-themed The program’s goal is torelieve was launched there in January century for how county resi- amusement park, which GEORGIA youth stress and anxiety. The at several high schools and dents can interact with their would be a first for Florida. De- ●● Some BIBB COUNTY resi- anonymous crisis text line is will be expanded to include 10 government,” he said. “Hope- velopers say the proposed park dents questioned on Facebook aimed at providing a valuable more schools. fully we can see this expand.” could feature a 300-foot snow the use of county vans driving resource for students seeking tubing run and a separate area voters to the polls, WMAZ-TV support or an outlet to share MICHIGAN FLORIDA to play and build snow sculp- reported. The county Parks and concerns. “We are so proud ●● KALAMAZOO COUNTY Economic development tures, the Tampa Bay Times Recreation Department nor- to be the first in the Southeast has launched a website for res- doesn’t always mean adding reported. Other snow parks lo- mally takes the van out to drive to launch the Text 4 Help pro- idents where they can find data a new corporate headquarters cated in warmer climates — in seniors to the grocery store or and resources on community Georgia and California — offer park, from the county senior health. Called the Kalamazoo seasonal snow tube rides. The center. Is it illegal? The TV sta- County Data Hub, the county’s company in Florida hopes to tion contacted the attorney Health and Community Ser- open its snow park next fall general’s office, which said that vices Department gives resi- and still requires a county per- while the county can’t use its dents and others easy access mit to operate. A community resources to support an in- to county data. “The whole meeting with nearby residents dividual candidate or party, goal is to be transparent and is set for December. “It really there’s no reason why they all-encompassing with all differentiates us,” said Adam can’t drive people to the health indicators whether Thomas, the county’s tourism polls if it’s bipartisan. “A lot they’re positive or negative,” director. “There’s not another of people don’t have trans- said Mary Franks, the county’s snow park in Florida. It’s really portation or a way to get to the epidemiologist. The data in- going to draw a lot of attention polls,” a senior told the TV sta- cludes everything from a spe- to Pasco in a good way.” tion. “It is a real blessing.” cial report on the opioid epi- COUNTY NEWS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES NOVEMBER 12, 2018 15

demic in the county to county x-ray screening of candy on release of the incentives the TEXAS nominees to the board taking health rankings. You can view Halloween at the county court- county and city offered the HARRIS COUNTY has fol- control of the Utah Transit Au- the website here: https://bit. house, and for two days after e-commerce giant. lowed Houston’s lead in chang- thority. Herbert has appointed ly/2Sk1ZzJ at the District Courthouse and ing regulations to outlaw robot members nominated by SALT justice center, KOLO News re- SOUTH CAROLINA brothels. The county’s process LAKE and DAVIS counties, ●● MUSKEGON COUNTY will ported. Nearly 300 homes in of updating its rules surround- but hasn’t nominated two sell up to $45 million in bonds DORCHESTER COUNTY are ing sexually oriented busi- candidates forwarded by Utah to close a pension fund short- being “moved” to BERKELEY nesses was accelerated when a County, in consultation with fall, County Administrator COUNTY to fix a121-year- Canadian business expressed TOOLE COUNTY, The Salt Mark Eisenbarth told the Mus- old mapping error. The shift interest in opening a location Lake Tribune reported. Davis kegon Chronicle. County offi- will give Berkeley County an in Houston. The new regula- County consulted with WE- cials feared a looming pension additional $250,000 in annual tions make it a violation to use BER and BOX ELDER coun- crisis after a five-year financial property taxes, most of which “anthropomorphic devices” for ties. The Utah County Com- forecast last year predicted will go toward its school dis- sexual activities, Houston Pub- mission insists that state law annual contributions to the trict. The mapping error is lic Media reported. requires Herbert to appoint Municipal Employee Retire- believed to have been made one of its nominees and that ment System (MERS) would by surveyors around the time UTAH the authority’s Board not be skyrocket to $17.4 million by Dorchester County was cre- UTAH COUNTY is suing considered legally formed un- 2022. “We are trying to avoid NEW YORK ated in 1897, the Associated Gov. Gary Herbert (R) for re- til a Utah County nominee is massive payments…as MERS ●● ONONDAGA COUNTY has Press reported. fusing to appoint any of its seated. wants every municipality to been selected to join the Pritz- be near or up to 100 percent ker Fellows program, which [funded] in the next 10 years.” gives grants to improve liter- acy for children age three and MONTANA younger. This grant will go to GALLATIN COUNTY has the Early Childhood Alliance. joined 10 other counties to ban The alliance will expand to in- indoor vaping. The county clude helping daycare provid- health board recently voted to ers give kids the foundation for include electronic cigarettes early learning. It already fuels in the county’s Clean Indoor a campaign that encourages Air Act policy, the Bozeman parents to talk, read and sing Daily Chronicle reported. The to their children starting at ban took effect last month. birth. Anyone who violates the ban could be fined between $25 ●● Faced with a new state law WISCONSIN to $100. Shop owners could that prohibits children from DOOR COUNTY may find also face fines, depending on being housed in the same itself with a national park the number of violations. A jails as adults, 11 counties are within its borders. The pro- county health officer said that banding together to create a posal for the Grand Traverse enforcement will be driven by non-profit organization to Islands National Park includes complaints. One vape shop build a regional jail specifical- 17 islands, extending from owner said they plan a lawsuit, ly for children under the age of Door County to Upper Michi- because customers need to be 18. Few counties in the Finger gan’s Garden Peninsula. able to sample different fla- Lakes and Southern Tier have The Grand Traverse Islands vors of “e-liquids” which they facilities to house children, so would house Native Ameri- wouldn’t be able to do with the they must send them away to can archaeological sites, more ban in place. counties that do, often hours than 40 shipwrecks and five away. Under the new Raise the VIRGINIA 19th-century lighthouses. NEVADA Age law, kids have to be in jails CULPEPPER COUNTY The proposal says hunting, The WASHOE COUNTY close to their families. handed out newly designed commercial fishing, logging Sheriff’s Office offeredfree “I voted!” stickers on Election and mining would not be af- PENNSYLVANIA Day thanks to a new design fected by the designation. Be- A judge has ordered AL- submitted for a competition by fore the islands could have a LEGHENY COUNTY and the fourth-grader Natalie Nicholson, 9, CBS News reported. national park designation, a city of Pittsburgh to release “I wanted to do the American flag and Virginia, so I said study must first be approved its bid for Amazon’s second why not just put it all together? So then I just did American and conducted by the National headquarters. County Com- flag, Virginia in the middle, and then in the middle of Virgin- Park Service, WBAY News re- mon Pleas Judge Terry O’Brien ia, ‘I voted.’” Nicholson said. ported. found no basis for the city “There was no close competition to Natalie’s sticker. She and county to exempt details did a really great job,” James Clements, the county’s director News From Across the Nation of their pitch under the Right of elections, told CBS News. is compiled by Charlie Ban and to Know law, the Pittsburgh Future voters got their own sticker too, thanks to a design Mary Ann Barton. If you have Post-Gazette reported. WTAE by local high school senior Jeffrey Maldonado. news, email: [email protected] or News has been seeking the [email protected]. 16 NOVEMBER 12, 2018 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS What your county needs to know about the FMLA law

From FMLA page 10 on leave, and although you where medical treatment may ployee’s workspace, or any examples above covered differ- realize she is only asking be- result in a disability. other change that allows the ent scenarios regarding medi- perwork to the employee. cause she cares, you are pro- John took FMLA to have sur- employee to perform the es- cal leave for the employee’s own ●● Track the hours as FMLA tecting the privacy just as you gery to remove a schwannoma sential functions of their job serious health condition, but on the timesheet once the would protect Sally’s privacy if of the inner ear. without creating an undue additional uses of the law in- FMLA is approved. Failure to the roles were reversed. In doing so, he lost his hear- burden on the employer. The clude caring for an immediate document and track the hours ●● If the leave is unexpect- ing in that ear and became FMLA and ADA also differ family member with a serious can lead to uncertainty about ed, such as a car accident, the unable to distinguish where in what makes an employee health condition, qualifying the number of remaining supervisor will also need to sounds originate. His loss of qualified under the law. exigencies from an immediate hours, creating complications consider the wording of an out hearing led to an interactive An employee is not entitled family member’s active duty and exposure to risk. of office reply during a leave. discussion for a reasonable ac- to FMLA-protected leave until or call to covered active duty, ●● Allow the employee to re- Such a reply might say the em- commodation under the ADA. they have worked the requisite and care for a covered service turn to work only with a re- ployee is on leave and who to How is FMLA different from number of hours. Employees, member with a serious injury lease from a physician. contact for immediate assis- ADA? FMLA only provides and applicants for employ- or illness, as well as birth, adop- ●● Safeguard against retalia- tance. for protected leave. The ADA, ment, are always entitled to tion or foster care of a child (see tion or appearance of retalia- ●● If there is a schedule or sta- for employment purposes, ADA protections. dol.gov for more information). tion following FMLA leave. tus white board, it should only prohibits discrimination of Additionally, the serious FMLA helps supervisors take ●● Ensure there is no mention show leave, not the specific applicants or employees with health conditions that are en- care of their work family, while of the leave or medical condi- type of leave, such as sick or a disability and requires em- titled to FMLA leave may not that co-worker takes the time tion in the employee’s coach- FMLA. ployers to provide reasonable qualify as disabilities under they need to bring health to ing, performance evaluation Requesting time off to get accommodations to a disabled the ADA. While individual em- their family. or discipline documents. treatment for a medical con- applicant or employee. While ployee matters may raise both ●● Protect the confidential- dition may not only fall under leave can be an accommo- FMLA and ADA issues, they Erika Philpot is Coconino ity of the employee’s leave. If the protection of the FMLA, dation, reasonable accom- are distinct and separate laws County, Ariz.’s human resourc- co-worker, Sally, presses for but also the Americans with modations can also include that must be thoroughly con- es director. Rose Winkeler is Co- details, let Sally know that you Disabilities Act (ADA). Addi- exceptions to certain policies, sidered on their own terms. conino County’s deputy county can only say the employee is tionally, there are occasions physical changes to an em- FMLA is a robust law. The attorney.

2019 NACo LEGISLATIVE Check out the latest schedule CONFERENCE www.NACo.org/LEG19

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MARCH 2-6 • WASHINGTON HILTON WASHINGTON, D.C.