N E W S  R E L E A S E

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 29, 2019
NACo CONTACT: Paul Guequierre, pguequierre@naco.org

AOC CONTACT: Megan Chuinard, Public Affairs Associate
Phone: 503-400-3235
Email: mchuinard@oregoncounties.org

County Leaders Convene at National Conference to Highlight Solutions that Bolster America’s Communities

Special speakers included Acting Administrator and General Counsel of the U.S. Small Business Administration Chris Pilkerton, Senior Vice President of U.S. Social Impact at Sesame Workshop Dr. Jeanette Betancourt and CEO of the Purpose Institute Roy Spence; workshops focused on behavioral health and justice, county resiliency, technology innovations, and more

Clark County, Nev. — Over 35 county commissioners, judges, officials, and staff from Oregon joined more than 3,000 other county leaders around the nation July 12-15 in Clark County, Nev. at the 84th National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference and Exposition. Attendees adopted positions on pressing federal policies affecting counties and exchanged innovative solutions to challenges facing American communities.

“This conference provided a great opportunity network, learn about important issues counties face across the nation, collaborate on solutions, and help inform national policy that will impact Oregon counties,” commented Harney County Commissioner Mark Owens on the conference.

NACo 2018-2019 President Greg Cox unveiled NACo’s annual report recapping the year’s accomplishments, including several significant federal policy victories.

Douglas County, Neb. Commissioner Mary Ann Borgeson was sworn in as NACo President. NACo membership elected Boone County, Ky. Judge/Executive Gary Moore as first vice president and DeKalb County, Ga. Commissioner Larry Johnson as second vice president.

More than three dozen workshops and meetings explored topics including affordable housing, technology, reducing the number of mentally ill individuals in jails, the opioid epidemic, disaster preparedness and recovery, and other topics important to counties across the country.

Notable speakers included Acting Administrator and General Counsel of the U.S. Small Business Administration Chris Pilkerton, Senior Vice President of U.S. Social Impact at Sesame Workshop Dr. Jeanette Betancourt and CEO of the Purpose Institute Roy Spence.

Conference delegates discussed federal policy and legislation on a wide range of key topics like transportation and infrastructure; rural and urban development; energy; federal public lands and active forest management; public safety; emergency preparedness and response; housing and community development; health; and other topics.

Five members of the Oregon delegation presented resolutions to be considered by the board as a part of the American County Platform, which sets NACo’s federal policy agenda for the coming year.

Resolutions presented from the Oregon delegation covered broad topics, including appropriations for Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) and the U.S. Department of Commerce, wildfire policy, kratom, and Mortgage Electronic Registration System (MERS). All resolutions presented by the Oregon delegation were adopted.

Commissioners that presented on behalf of Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) include:

At the conference’s conclusion, county leaders adopted the final 2019-2020 American County Platform.

More information about the conference is available here.

###

The National Association of Counties (NACo) unites America’s 3,069 county governments. Founded in 1935, NACo brings county officials together to advocate with a collective voice on national policy, exchange ideas and build new leadership skills, pursue transformational county solutions, enrich the public’s understanding of county government, and exercise exemplary leadership in public service. More information at: http://www.naco.org.