County News

About NACo

NACo Northeast Region Representative Christian Leinbach makes a point during the 2019 Fall Board Meeting in Douglas County, Neb. From left: Executive Director Matt Chase, Central Region Representative Cindy Bobbit, South Region Representative Ruby Brabo and West Region Representative Joe Briggs. Photo by Hugh Clarke

County News

NACo Board approves national policy priorities

During its fall 2019 meeting Dec.6-7 in Douglas County, Neb., the NACo Board of Directors approved national policy priorities that the organization will target in 2020, along with 36 policies identified by NACo's 10 policy steering committees. The national policy priorities are as follows:

Resiliency

Dead, burned trees remain a threat to falling in public roadways in Butte County, Calif., following the 2018 Camp Fire. Photo by Doug Teeter

County News

A year after the Camp Fire, rebuilding remains a challenge

More than a year after the Camp Fire, Butte County is seeing complications in rebuilding, housing costs, traffic and more.
Arts & Culture

Santa Claus and Smokey the Bear lead the parade in front of the 2019 Capitol Christmas Tree as it leaves the Carson National Forest in Taos County, N.M. Photo courtesy Taos County Sheriff’s Office

County News

New Mexico county delivers Capitol Christmas tree to D.C.

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree came to Washington, D.C. from Taos County, N.M.
Human Services

Franklin County Director of Jobs and Family Services Joy Bivens presents the Rise Together Blueprint for Reducing Poverty to the Columbus Urban League. Photo courtesy of Columbus CEO Magazine

County News

Blueprint aims to reduce poverty

Franklin County, Ohio is addressing the causes of poverty identified by a diverse group of stakeholders.
Leadership

Sacramento County Executive Nav Gill signs roughly 250 birthday cards early on Friday mornings.

County News

County executive’s birthday cards reach 12,500 employees

Every year, each of the 12,500 Sacramento County employees will get a birthday card signed by County Executive Nav Gill - something he swore early in his career that he'd do if he got to a leadership position.
Telecommunications & Technology

County News

Shared costs make broadband happen

'Fiberhoods' are helping San Juan County, Wash. residents defray the costs of broadband expansion on the islands that make up their county.
Human Services

Former Mayor of Miami-Dade County, Fla. Alex Penelas speaks to Large Urban County Caucus Symposium attendees on Nov. 7. 2019. Ron Book, chairman of the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust, looks on. Photo by Hugh Clarke

County News

Miami-Dade County uses Homeless Trust to combat homelessness

Local governments need a plan, leadership, money and a public-private partnership when it comes to addressing homelessness.
Human Services

Large Urban County Caucus attendees tour the Miami Center for Mental Health and Recovery. Photo by Rachel Looker

County News

Miami-Dade County builds center for mental health and recovery

The Miami Center for Mental Health and Recovery will provide resources to the most difficult and underserved populations in Miami-Dade County, Fla.
Urban Counties

Harris County, Texas Judge Lina Hidalgo speaks to Large Urban County Caucus Symposium attendees Nov. 8 in Miami-Dade County, Fla. Photo by Hugh Clarke

County News

Preventing your county government from ‘operating in a bubble’

Harris County, Texas surveyed residents online & had canvassers visit neighborhoods to represent voices that weren’t always heard at public meetings or for individuals who may not have internet access.

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Explore special features on a variety of topics important to counties.

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Resiliency

Reports & Toolkits

County News Hot Topic: Preventing Disasters: How prepared is your county for an emergency?

Threats are growing and the world changes, but counties likewise display the creativity and insight needed to prepare for natural and manmade disasters.
Western Interstate Region

County News

Western county officials flow into Spokane for WIR 2019

Speakers from the U.S. departments of Interior and Agriculture updated attendees on their agendas and Washington state officials showed how things were done in the Evergreen State.
Environment

Reports & Toolkits

County News Spotlight: Environment and Energy

County News takes a closer look at environment and energy issues that counties are facing.
Telecommunications & Technology

Reports & Toolkits

County News Spotlight: Rural Broadband

For rural counties, broadband internet supports commerce, medicine, agriculture and educational opportunities that even the playing field in attracting and retaining residents and steadying economic health.

The Latest

Civic Engagement

Blog

This Week in Photos: Jan. 12 – 18

Photos from Washington, D.C. and counties across the country.
Justice & Public Safety

Blog

NACo Launches New County Justice Peer Learning Network With 13 Counties

NACo will support 13 counties from across the country with creating strategies to address justice-involved individuals with mental illness while examining racial and ethnic disparities in their justice systems
Agriculture

Blog

U.S. House advances bipartisan legislation to address farm labor shortages

U.S. House advances bipartisan legislation to address farm labor shortages by improving the H-2A Visa program
Human Services

County News

How counties can help create ‘Livable Communities’

AARP staff members and volunteers work with elected officials, local governments and residents throughout the nation to help make towns, cities, counties and even states more livable and age-friendly for people of all ages.
Human Services

County News

Older Americans Act remains a crucial resource for counties

Counties need tangible updates to the Older Americans Act, which is up for reauthorization this year, that will increase resources and maximize flexibility to respond to these new challenges.
Civic Engagement

Blog

This Week in Photos: Jan. 5 – 11

Photos from Washington, D.C. and counties across the country.
Environment

Blog

U.S. House to vote on comprehensive package to address PFAS

U.S. House is expected to vote on the PFAS Action Act of 2019 (H.R. 535), a 12-bill package to address the class of toxic chemicals known as PFAS.
Community & Economic Development

Blog

Treasury Department releases final regulations for Opportunity Zones

On December 19, the U.S. Department of the Treasury released final rules for implementation of the Opportunity Zone program. Established under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (P.L.
Elections

Blog

The Risk is Real

Have you scheduled your Election Security Assessment yet?
Community & Economic Development

Blog

U.S. House approves USMCA trade agreement with potential impacts for counties

On December 19, the U.S. House approved the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Implementation Act (H.R.
Human Services

Senior Adventure Camp participants watch for birds in Loudoun County, Va.'s Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve. Photo courtesy of Loudoun County

County News

Great outdoors connects seniors in Loudoun County

Loudoun County, Va. showed that summer camp wasn’t just a place for kids to be active and make new friends, there’s also a lot of interest from older residents.
Human Services

Henrico County’s Advocate for the Aging Sara Morris provides care coordination, outreach efforts and educational events for the aging community in Henrico County, Va. Photo courtesy Henrico County

County News

Advocate for the aging gives voice to older adults

For older adults in Henrico County, Va., it only takes one phone call to the county’s advocate for the aging to access a “one-stop shop” of services and resources to help meet their needs.