The County Countdown – October 23, 2023

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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.   

Watch the video and explore NACo resources below on some of the top issues we're covering this week. 

2024 Appropriations

NACo urges Congress to finalize fiscal year 2024 appropriations without delay, to stave off a potential government shutdown.

Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC) Symposium 

The LUCC Symposium, held this month in Orange County, Fla., offered a productive platform for county officials and our partners.

  • County-led solutions: The symposium featured in-depth dialogues on disaster readiness and response, housing affordability, mental and behavioral health, and artificial intelligence.
  • Survey: Were you there? Share your thoughts in the attendee survey

Federal Grants

NACo supports the bipartisan Streamlining Federal Grants Act, introduced last month. The bill would facilitate more straightforward grant application processes for counties.

  • Key takeaway: The legislation tasks the Office of Management and Budget with guiding federal agencies towards streamlined grant application processes.
  • Support for counties: The legislation includes a special focus on aiding counties, particularly rural counties, in accessing grant opportunities.

Black Maternal and Infant Mortality

On October 16, NACo hosted an event on disproportionate Black maternal and infant mortality rates.

  • A collaborative effort: County leaders, federal officials and thought partners identified actionable policy solutions to address this public health crisis.
  • Catch up: Watch the recording here

2024 NACo Legislative Conference

The 2024 NACo Legislative Conference is scheduled for February 10-13 in Washington, D.C. 

  • Join your peers: The conference convenes nearly 2,000 county officials to tackle federal policy matters impacting counties and citizens. 
  • Highlights: This year’s conference will include policy sessions, opportunities to engage with members of Congress, and robust interactions with federal agency representatives
  • Register today to secure early bird rates and hotel availability. 

Featured This Week

Capitol
Advocacy

NACo sends letter to congressional leadership urging prioritization of county activities in FY 2024 appropriations

NACo has sent a letter to congressional leaders urging them to prioritize federal investments in crucial local government activities through the FY 2024 appropriations process.

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Conference

2023 Large Urban County Caucus Symposium

Orange County, Fla.

The 2023 NACo Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC) Symposium will gather county executives, governing board members and other senior elected officials alongside national thought leaders and partners in Orange County, Florida to identify urban challenges and elevate solutions through peer-to-peer information exchanges and national policy discussions. 

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Advocacy

Improving access to federal grants through the Streamlining Federal Grants Act

The Streamlining Federal Grants Act simplifies the grant application process for local governments to improve access to federal grant funding.  

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Webinar

Breaking Down Silos to Address Maternal and Infant Mortality: Lessons from the Local Level

Join NACo for a briefing focused on innovative county solutions to address disproportionate Black maternal and infant mortality rates

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Conference

2024 NACo Legislative Conference

Washington, D.C.

The NACo Legislative Conference brings together nearly 2,000 elected and appointed county officials to focus on federal policy issues that impact counties and our residents.

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Upcoming Events

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Webinar

Inside Washington: County Impacts from the White House & Congress

Building off NACo’s First 100 Days webinar series, we are starting a biweekly series to provide timely updates and analysis on key developments from the White House and Congress. Each session focuses on policies and actions that directly impact counties — from federal funding and regulatory changes to intergovernmental partnerships. Tune in every other week to stay informed on how these evolving federal dynamics may shape county priorities, responsibilities and operations.

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Webinar

Safeguarding Taxpayer Assets: Inside Suffolk County’s Bank Account Collateralization Program

In today’s evolving regulatory and banking landscape, public entities must have clear visibility into their deposits, collateralization, and verification processes. Yet, many municipalities lack a comprehensive solution to streamline this complex responsibility.

Join Stephen Acquario (Executive Director, NYSAC), John M. Kennedy Jr. (Suffolk County Comptroller), and Alex DeRosa (Associate Vice President, three+one) as they host an inside look at how Suffolk County has implemented a cutting-edge bank account collateralization program. This session will explore:

  • How having a single point of reference for bank collateral enhances audit functions and strengthens financial oversight
     

  • Common misconceptions about collateralization programs—why more counties aren’t adopting them and whether implementation is as complex as it seems
     

  • The impact of a well-structured collateralization program on credit ratings and financial stability

Protecting taxpayer assets requires more than just compliance—it requires certainty. Discover how to bring transparency and security to your entity’s financial management.