 National Association of Counties * Washington, DC / Vol. 30, No. 14 * July 20, 1998
We started the year with fireworks at the President's Inaugural Gala in Baltimore, and now we are finishing with a bang in Oregon! As an organization, NACo is in great shape today - perhaps the strongest in our 63-year history - and we are prepared to do even more for our members in the future. NACo is financially sound and operating in the black. Our membership is stable and growing. More than 80 percent of the nation's population live in NACo member counties. We have developed a three-year vision and workplan that set a clear direction for the future. The White House, Administration officials and congressional leaders seek our views more than ever before. A survey in a recent issue of Fortune magazine ranked NACo in the top 100 out of the thousands of lobbying associations and firms in Washington, D.C. NACo achieved some outstanding legislative victories, including reauthorization of the transportation bill (TEA 21) and increased funding for Payments In Lieu of Taxes. We continue to work on legislation that will have a huge impact on counties: workforce development, Internet taxes, juvenile justice and tobacco. NACo also offers more programs and special services to counties. We provide valuable information and assistance on such issues as radon/indoor air quality, pollution prevention and nonpoint water pollution. NACo's Financial Services Center offers a variety of programs that save counties real money. The Joint Center for Sustainable Communities and the Information Technology Department offer information and quality advice on such issues as indicators to measure progress, the Year 2000 computer problem and advanced computer mapping geographic information systems (GIS). Although NACo as an organization is thriving today by almost any measurement, we also recognize that deferred compensation royalties from PEBSCO comprise one-third of NACo's budget, making us overly dependent on revenue from a single source, and PEBSCO is attempting to renegotiate and "restructure" the royalties they pay under our 10-year contract; that we are not close to fully utilizing what could be the most potent lobbying force in the nation - the county officials who live in about 400 of the nation's 435 congressional districts; and that more than 1,300 counties - mostly smaller and rural - are not NACo members. Still, today, NACo is poised to do even more on behalf of our members as we approach the millenium - an era when the federal and state governments will transfer even more responsibilities to counties, when citizens will demand more services and when everyone will insist on keeping taxes down. During my term as president, I sought to establish programs that would help counties meet these challenges. My priorities were to help counties become global, digital and sustainable. I wanted counties to consider global markets in the exchange of knowledge and information and productsto learn about the exciting opportunities that technology offers and embrace it enthusiasticallyand to plan for sustainable communities that are economically strong, environmentally sound and socially secure. We have made great progress in all three areas. A new globalization advisory committee identified issues, developed partnerships with other organizations and established a clearinghouse for information about local economic development opportunities in the rapidly emerging global economy. The People's Republic of China, through its Friendship Association, invited NACo to send a delegation of county officials to China as their guests in October - the first such invitation ever issued by the Chinese government. NACo reciprocated and hosted a delegation of locally elected Chinese officials this year. The exchange with China will continue annually and expand. Helping counties become "digital," NACo and Intergraph Corporation will offer all member counties an advanced computer mapping geographic information system (GIS) "Starter Kit" at no cost. NACo highlighted and provided practical information on the Year 2000 computer problem. Technology training for county officials has been featured at every conference. With great support from the White House, the Joint Center for Sustainable Communities was established in partnership with the U.S. Conference of Mayors. It has increased its capacity to assist local officials nationwide as we seek to build a sustainable future. Even the most experienced county officials are often surprised by the number of programs NACo offers to America's counties. I encourage you to read this Annual Report thoroughly and take advantage of NACo services that are appropriate for you. This has been a very successful, exciting year. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve as your president. Now, let the future begin! Randy Johnson
|
In photo at right: Randy Johnson