County Countdown – December 2, 2024
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Every other week, NACo's County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership.
Secure Rural Schools reauthorization
NACo applauds the U.S. Senate's November 12 passage of the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Reauthorization Act. This legislation supports over 700 counties, providing essential funding for infrastructure, education and fire suppression in forest communities.
- Take action: Without reauthorization, many counties will face severe budget shortfalls. NACo urges counties to contact their House members to advocate for swift passage of this vital legislation.
- Learn more: View and download NACo's SRS policy brief here.
Disaster relief funding request
The White House recently submitted $98.6 billion disaster relief funding request to Congress to address recovery efforts from recent disasters like Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the Maui County wildfires and Midwest tornadoes.
- What NACo is doing: NACo sent a letter urging Congress to include critical programs in the disaster supplemental funding package. Additionally, NACo launched the Intergovernmental Disaster Reform Task Force to improve disaster mitigation, response and recovery capabilities.
- Upcoming webinar: Join NACo’s national membership call on December 5 at 3:00 p.m. EST to discuss the package and county action items.
ARPA obligation deadline approaching
Counties must obligate American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds by December 31, 2024, ensuring all contractual commitments are in place before the deadline.
- How we got here: Passed in 2021, ARPA provided $65.1 billion in direct, flexible aid to counties, offering a unique opportunity to address pandemic-related needs and support long-term recovery.
- Learn more: NACo recently hosted a webinar offering tips for efficiently obligating remaining funds. View the recording and slide deck here.
Congressional priorities during lame duck session
Congress has several key issues to address before the session ends. NACo is monitoring and advocating for priorities, including:
- Economic Development Administration reauthorization: Helping local communities achieve long-term economic growth.
- Second Chance Act reauthorization: Improving reentry services and reducing recidivism.
- Title IV-B reauthorization: Enhancing child welfare workforce resources.
- Social Security Fairness Act: Repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision to restore full Social Security benefits.
View NACo's full list of priorities for the session here.
Dole Act passes the House
The U.S. House recently passed the bipartisan Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act.
- Strengthen CVSOs: This legislation includes a pared-down version of the NACo-endorsed Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act, authorizing $10 million annually to strengthen County Veteran Service Officers (CVSOs).
- Call to action: Counties should contact their Senators to advocate for passage, ensuring better support for veterans nationwide.
U.S. Senate passes Secure Rural Schools reauthorization
The Senate unanimously passed the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2023 (S.2581), a major milestone for supporting our forested counties.
White House submitted $100 billion disaster relief request; Counties are encouraged to advocate for essential funding
On November 18, the White House submitted a $98.6 billion disaster relief funding request to Congress, outlining resources needed to address recent disasters, including Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the Maui County wildfires and tornadoes in the Midwest.
Countdown to the ARPA SLFRF obligation deadline: What counties need to know before December 31, 2024
With the December 31, 2024 deadline for obligating ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds quickly approaching, counties nationwide are assessing how best to allocate these critical resources.
County priorities in the lame duck session: Key advocacy efforts for local leaders
NACo is actively collaborating with Congress and the administration to advance key county issues.
House advances measure with resources for county veteran service officers
On November 18, the U.S. House of Representatives passed, on a bipartisan 389-9 vote, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (H.R. 8371), known as the Dole Act.
Related News
Federal judge temporarily halts FEMA disaster mitigation grant program termination
On April 4, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced it will not allocate $750 million this year for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program. According to the press release, FEMA will also stop funding BRIC projects that were previously approved and are still underway.
Podcast: County experience can improve disaster response
Kevin Leonard, executive director of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, and Amanda McKinney, a Yakima County, Wash. commissioner, talk about two different challenges county officials face in responding to disasters.
Senate lawmakers introduce bipartisan legislation to support public lands counties
On August 4, U.S. Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) introduced the More Opportunities for Rural Economies (MORE) Grants Package.
Upcoming Events
The Big Shift and Cash Management - 5 Takeaways
Wednesday, August 27, 2025 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET
The financial landscape for counties is evolving quickly, with rising costs, shifting federal support and growing expectations becoming part of everyday reality. This is what many are calling “the Big Shift,” a period that is reshaping how counties plan, prioritize and manage resources. In this webinar, Mike Ablowich, a seasoned public finance leader and Vice President at three+one, will share what the Big Shift means for counties today and five actionable strategies to help leaders remain proactive, confident and effective during this time of change. From strengthening liquidity management to using data to guide impactful actions, you will gain practical tools and insights you can put to work right away to protect your county’s financial health and unlock new opportunities, no matter how the environment continues to evolve.
This webinar is brought to you by NACo EDGE, establishing people, purchasing, and performance cost-saving solutions that can be applied to counties nationwide. EDGE is owned by NACo, advised by county leaders and 100% focused on solutions for U.S. Counties. Learn more about NACo EDGE here.
Transforming County Payouts with Real-Time Innovation
Thursday, September 4, 2025 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM Eastern Time
Discover the technological evolution of county disbursements and how digital finance transformation can mitigate risks and enhance operational efficiency. As counties strive to modernize their legacy systems and reduce costs, staying ahead of technology trends is crucial. This session will explore how counties can leverage the latest advancements in real-time disbursements to revolutionize their payout processes. Attendees will gain insights into emerging trends and practical use cases that showcase the journey from outdated payout processes to advanced technology disbursements.