Alisha Bell - candidate platform - 2025

Alisha Bell

Wayne County, Mich. chair

Dear Colleagues, 

It has been my honor to serve on the Wayne County Commission and as a member of NACo for the last 21 years. Service, commitment, and passion have been my guiding principles for both Wayne County and NACo as I continuously demonstrate my dedication to county government. In 2002 when I became the youngest African American woman to be elected to a county commission board in the country, I made it my mission to make county government accessible and relevant to all residents. Being an active member of NACo has certainly assisted me in bringing that mission to fruition. 

My dedication to NACo has been demonstrated by my positions in the following:

• Current LUCC Vice Chair
• Current Vice Chair of Justice and Public Safety Committee
• Former Chair of Justice and Public Safety Committee
• Former President of Women of NACo
• Former President of NABCO
• Former Credentials Chair
• Former Tally Clerk
• Founding Member of NextGen NACo
• CLI Class of 2016
• Presidential Appointee to the NACo Board by 5 NACo Presidents

Serving in my seventh year as Commission Chair for the largest county in Michigan, I am keenly aware of the challenges and successes of county government. I can honestly say that many of the successes that counties have achieved throughout the country stem from the work that NACo has engaged in with our federal partners and the membership of this esteemed organization. Now, more than ever, we need leaders who can unify this nation and I believe I am the right person at the right time to lead this organization as we operate as one NACo, working together with one voice for the betterment of all. County government has always been and will remain a government for the people and I would love the opportunity to share my experiences and vision to further the mission and goals of NACo as your next 2nd Vice President.

Whether you’re in a large, rural, suburban county or tribal community, we all have similar successes and challenges. Similarly, NACo has challenges that our leadership must address so that we maintain our status as the leading voice in county government. We must continue to provide resources, technical assistance and best practices to remain relevant to our members. Remaining relevant and responsive while simultaneously adapting to change will be paramount over the next few years. I firmly believe that in NACo: Together We R.I.S.E.

Resiliency - We must ensure that our legislative priorities emphasize resiliency in our mandated functions as county officials.  We must always be in the mode of preparing, responding and recovering from natural and man-made disasters, economic downturns and public health emergencies. Over the last five years, the United States has experienced more than 100 weather disasters each causing losses of $1 billion or more! Additionally, our public health departments continue to do an extraordinary job in addressing the myriad of health issues that our counties face. It’s a stark reminder of the importance of preparedness, the capacity to withstand and recover from difficulties, and how counties remain on the front line of resiliency with NACo providing important resources and tools for effective management of these occurrences. 

Infrastructure and Innovation - Many of our communities are burdened with aging bridges, roads, sewer systems and the like. Supporting the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will greatly assist counties in making the much-needed updates and repairs to our infrastructure that our residents desperately rely on us to provide as counties operate 44 percent of the nation’s public roads and 38 percent of bridges. NACo’s role in advocacy to Congress played a pivotal role in developing this comprehensive bill. Our NACo leadership must continue engaging our membership and Congress by telling our story and continuing to advocate for investments in our transportation, stormwater systems, bridges, roads and airports.

Innovation - Artificial Intelligence (AI) is here to stay and counties need to understand the implications of this emerging technology. NACo leadership must continuously inform members of the pros and cons and guide them on how to best use AI for greater efficiencies in government without jeopardizing our workforce. AI can assist in preventing cyber-attacks and enhancing infrastructure monitoring, just to name a few of its capabilities. Staying informed on the newest and greatest innovations in technology must remain a top priority for NACo leadership and for members as technology becomes an increasingly integral part of the operations of county government.

Sustainability - Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs is the essence of sustainability. It is important that counties create policies that balance economic development with environmental protections. Being mindful of the importance of clean air and fresh water and how it impacts the health of our residents should be a top priority. We can achieve that by encouraging communities to reduce waste, reuse materials and recycle when appropriate. NACo’s commitment to providing resources and tools for more sustainable counties will certainly benefit county efficiencies as well as the health of our residents. 

Engagement- Membership engagement is paramount to the continued success of NACo. Regular communication with members, especially new members, through webinars and opportunities to share with NACo best practices from their county fosters a sense of belonging and reinforce that every member has valuable contributions to offer. Checking in via phone calls or emails can make a significant difference in making members feel valued. I am proud to be a NACo Ambassador which welcomes new members and first-time attendees to our Legislative and Annual Conference and look forward to continuing with these kinds of events to enhance our new member engagement. 

I sincerely thank each of you for your dedication and commitment to county government and humbly ask for your support and vote in my quest to be your next NACo 2nd Vice President!

Please visit my website, www.Bellfor2ndvp.com,  to learn more about my campaign.

Remember that in NACo: Together We R.I.S.E.!