Equitable Governance: 2022 NACo DEI County Convening, Strategies for Governing with Equity
The National Association of Counties hosted a full-day diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) county convening before NACo’s 2022 Annual Conference to discuss the importance of equity in governance and how to strategically align efforts at the county level. The convening brought together over 50 participants from over 20 counties who sent a team comprised of a DEI practitioner, county administrator and elected official. Throughout the convening, attendees discussed the unique challenges and opportunities they see in their distinct roles and explored how to advance the principles of DEI by considering community data differently. Equitable Governance: 2022 NACo DEI County Convening, Key County Roles, Opportunities and Strategies for Governing with Equity lays out key takeaways from the convening.
County News
County News Spotlight: DEI Strategies
U.S. EPA announces nearly $250 million in FY 2026 Brownfields program grants
On June 24, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the distribution of nearly $250 million in funding for the Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment and Cleanup grant program. The grants flowed to more than 190 state and local government recipients around the country to support redevelopment and renewal projects on brownfield sites.
NACo endorses bipartisan legislation to reform agricultural workforce program
On June 30, House Agriculture Chairman G.T. Thompson (R-Pa.-15), along with 49 co-sponsors, including Reps. Don Davis (D-N.C.-01) and Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.-04), introduced the Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act of 2026 (H.R.9535).
Comments due July 13 for new OMB rule touching all counties
Counties everywhere are facing fundamental changes in the intergovernmental relationship how the federal government administers grants. Comments on a proposed OMB rule are dule by 11:59 ET July 13.
Mutual aid network joins county and municipalities to assess damage
Waukesha County, Wis. has pooled, trained and coordinated staff from its municipalities to deploy after a disaster and start the recovery process.
Salute to county leaders: Jim Willox
Converse County, Wyo. Commissioner Jim Willox found a lot in common with his urban county colleagues when he led the Transportation Policy Steering Committee.
DEA announces temporary scheduling of synthetic kratom substances
On July 1, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) filed two Notices of Intent to temporarily place highly concentrated and synthetic kratom-related substances into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. Additionally, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) issued a Request for Information seeking public comment on scientific data on the proposed threshold level.