DEAD MALLS GET NEW INTERIOR DEPARTMENT CANDIDATES FOR NACo LIVES IN CREATIVE TO DISTRIBUTE RECORD 2ND VP PRESENT THEIR REBOOTS PG. 5 PILT PAYMENTS PG. 6 PLATFORMS PG. 8 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES VOL. 50, NO. 14 JULY 9, 2018 Congress advances farm bill By Arthur Scott and Eryn Hurley House and Senate versions of the farm bill are headed to a conference committee where stark differences will be hashed out over the handling of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and cuts to conservation titles. The House version, the Ag- riculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (H.R. 2), passed June 21 after weeks of uncertainty. County officials from across the country will meet July 13-16 in Nashville (Davidson County), Tenn. for NACo’s 83rd Annual Conference The five-year, $860 billion farm & Exposition. bill reauthorization package squeezed by on a 213-211 vote — the result of unanimous op- Nashville hosts 83rd Final Thoughts position from Democrats over significant changes to SNAP. Annual Conference EACH YEAR, COUNTY NEWS INTERVIEWS THE OUTGOING A week later, the Senate re- NACo PRESIDENT FOR HIS OR HER REFLECTIONS ON It’s the place of legends: The honorary degrees and many THEIR TERM. TARRANT COUNTY, TEXAS COMMISSIONER See FARM BILL page 3 Grand Ole Opry. Hank Williams. awards, including the Presi- ROY CHARLES BROOKS OFFERS HIS REFLECTIONS. Loretta Lynn. Earl Scruggs. Pat- dential Medal of Freedom, the sy Cline. Dolly Parton. Hank nation’s highest civilian award, How would you ing the Underserved, Counties Williams, Jr. The Carter Family. and the Robert F. Kennedy Life- describe your year as Addressing Generational Pov- Johnny Cash. Brad Paisley. Tim time Achievement Award for her NACo president? erty,” with a special emphasis McGraw. Lady Antebellum. It’s writings such as Prayers for Our It is the capstone of my career on our children. I have trav- Nashville in Davidson Coun- Children; I Can Make a Differ- in public service. It has allowed eled the country and met many ty, Tenn. and for four days and ence: A Treasury to Inspire Our me to promote a cause about wonderfully committed county nights it will be the site of NA- Children; and The Sea Is So Wide which I am passionate, “Serv- leaders. And I am heartened by Co’s 83rd Annual Conference and My Boat Is So Small: Chart- the level of skill and dedication starting July 13. ing a Course for the Next Gener- that my colleagues across the Marian Wright Edelman, ation. country possess. founder and president of the George has carved a special Children’s Defense Fund, and niche for himself in the profes- What was the most Eddie George, legendary NFL sional sports arena. He is only challenging part running back for the Tennessee the second NFL running back to of your role as Titans, will headline the general rush for 10,000 yards while nev- president? sessions. er missing a start. In addition to Undoubtedly, the trav- Edelman has been an advo- the Heisman Trophy, George el. Waking up virtually every cate for disadvantaged Ameri- won several NFL Rookie of the morning in a new place, some- cans for her entire professional life. She has received over 100 See NASHVILLE page 2 Brooks See BROOKS page 2 2 JULY 9, 2018 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of COUNTIES COUNTY NEWS Affordable housing forum, land use planning workshop highlight annual conference From NASHVILLE page 1 addressing poverty. Other sam- he was inducted into the Nash- ple workshop topics include ev- ville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Year awards in 1996, and was idence-based policy decision- Natalie Hemby has become the Tennessee Titans’ starting making, women and retirement, one of country music’s defining tailback until 2003. and growing local economies songwriters, having written six He has also become a cel- from within. number one singles and earning ebrated actor. His most nota- NACo’s Annual Business a Grammy nomination. She has ble contribution to theater is meeting is also held during written songs for Little Big Town, his recent role as Billy Flynn in the Annual Conference. This Sheryl Crow, Blake Shelton, Broadway’s Chicago. He has also year four candidates have an- Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith, appeared in several films: The nounced their intention to run Lee Ann Womack and Miranda Best Man Holiday, 7-10 Split and for the second vice president Lambert. Into the Sun and television roles: slot (see pages 8-11). The elec- Tim Nichols is one of the Shooters, NCIS: Los Angeles and tion on July 16 is preceded by country music industry’s most HBO’s Ballers. off on Thursday. It will explore cialized sessions that spotlight votes on NACo’s Policy Platform respected members. His num- On top of his acting career, he how technological innovation county communications strat- and resolutions. ber one songs have won count- has added several businesses to can tackle some of counties egies; ways to impact the social Another general session clos- less awards, including a Gram- his resume, the latest being the most intractable problems in the causes of health in a county; ad- es out the day’s formal activi- my, and his music appeals to Edward George Wealth Man- human services arena. dress substance use disorders; ties with a presentation from multiple generations of country agement Group. Policy steering committee and make the fiscal case for ju- Marian Wright Edelman and a music fans and artists. His top Participants who arrive July meetings take over Friday’s venile justice reform. bound-to-be entertaining sing- songs have been recorded by 12 before the official start of the agenda. Members of NACo’s Sunday, July 15, ramps up er/songwriter panel, discussing Tim McGraw, Ronnie Milsap, conference, have an exciting 10 steering committees will be workshop offerings and features how they create their tunes and Patty Loveless, Faith Hill, Reba array of mobile workshops that briefed by administration and the Affordable Housing Forum, performing as well. Tom Doug- McEntire and Alan Jackson. explore local solutions to issues federal agency officials as they a must-go session for counties las has written number one hits Bookending the conference ranging from preserving af- deliberate new policy positions grappling with a tight, expensive recorded by Tim McGraw, Lady are two fun-filled celebrations: fordable housing to rebuilding that will guide the association’s real estate market for their em- Antebellum, Keith Urban and the Opening Reception which cultural assets after a disaster to advocacy efforts. ployees and their residents. Miranda Lambert. His songs will highlight the tastes and recreation opportunities for lo- Saturday sees the first general Land use planning for large- have been nominated for many sounds from Tennessee’s coun- cal waterfronts. session featuring Eddie George, scale solar arrays is the focus of awards, including the Gram- ties, and the Closing Celebration The Smarter Counties Forum legendary NFL running back, one workshop, while another my’s, CMA Awards, the Oscars at the world-famous Grand Ole (formerly Tech Hall) also kicks and also several high-value, spe- looks at emerging strategies in and the Golden Globes. In 2014, Opry House. Roy Charles Brooks reflects on his year as NACo president MOST STRAWBERRY PRODUCTION IN 2016 From BROOKS page 1 ed by the creative approaches to serve real people with real good fight every day to make our I’ve seen toward using county challenges caused by lack of people stronger, our counties times wondering just where resources to meet these chal- opportunity, inadequate work- more effective and our nation the heck I am. But meeting lenges and the resilience of force skills, poor healthcare. I worthy of the American dream. each day with enthusiasm to the county spirit to keep rising am proud to have been able to meet new people, to show the every morning determined to point member counties to best Final thoughts? NACo flag and to engage with make the new day a better one. practices which they can use to NACo is a great organization others about county priorities. address these concerns. that is relevant to policy for- STATE Centum Weight* What are you mation in Washington and to California ..............28.78 million What did you find proudest of? What advice would policy implementation back at Florida .......................2.2 million most interesting or Shining the light of NACo you give your home. It has been my greatest North Carolina ............. 144,000 exciting? on our human infrastructure; successor? joy to serve as NACo President. Oregon ........................ 103,000 The range of challenges fac- the people we serve. I’m also Breathe! Washington ....................75,000 ing our member counties and proud to have excited the ide- New York .........................30,000 the similarities among those alism of a new generation of What’s next for Roy Hon. Roy Charles Brooks * “centum weight” or 100 lbs. challenges in counties both county leaders who came to Charles Brooks? Source: Statista 2018 urban and rural. I’m also excit- public service with a passion I will continue to fight the NACo President President Executive Editor ADVERTISING STAFF Published biweekly except August by: The appearance of paid advertisements in County POSTMASTER: send address changes to Roy Charles 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. Brooks Schlotterbeck by the National Association of Counties for any of representative Research Foundation, Inc. STE. 400, Washington, D.C. 20001 Publisher Senior Staff Writer 660 N. Capitol Street, N.W. STE. 400, the products, services or messages advertised. National Accounts (USPS 704-620) n (ISSN: 0744-9798) Matthew Chase Charlie Ban Washington, D.C.