AAC
PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE
Let your voice be heard through NACo
I
had the honor and pleasure of attending the National Association of Counties (NACo) 2022 Legislative Conference, held in Washington, D.C., in February. The four-day event brings together nearly 2,200 county officials from across the country. These national meetings offer an opportunity for association board members and executive directors, as well as elected officials, to visit, network and learn what is happening at the county level in various states. I also find it valuable to attend the Legislative Conference because it gives county officials the opportunity to meet and to educate federal government officials about the needs in our communities. This year’s Legislative Conference focused heavily on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, both of which infused many dollars and resources into county government, the likes of which we have never seen before. There were several breakout sessions focusing on how to maximize the funding and how to tap into new resources. More importantly, there were opportunities to ask policy experts specific questions about the ARPA and the infrastructure package. There also was a meet and greet with representatives from several federal agencies. County officials visited with those representatives over coffee and walked away with a better idea of how federal agencies can work with counties. Some of the dignitaries who joined us in person were Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who discussed efforts to make the application process for infrastructure dollars simple for counties and a focus on making sure rural counties can access that funding; and U.S. Senator John Cornyn of Texas, who compared the impact of the coronavirus pandemic to the “domestic version of World War II,” a view that
prompted him co-sponsor legislation to give counties more flexibility when it came to spending CARES Act and ARPA funding. President Biden also spoke to attendees about the ARPA and infrastructure package, the progress DEBBIE WISE our country has made in vaccinatAAC Board President; ing people against COVID-19, and Randolph County Circuit Clerk the recovering economy. As a former New Castle County, Delaware Council member, he knows we are on the frontlines of public service and admitted that federal officials need the counties’ input on local needs. So, I encourage you to become involved in NACo. Every county in Arkansas is a member thanks to the Association of Arkansas Counties (AAC), which pays the NACo membership dues. As a county or district official, you can become as involved in NACo as you like — from attending NACo meetings to serving on a committee, caucus, task force or advisory board. Arkansas counties will be well represented at NACo’s 2022 Annual Conference & Exposition, to be held in Adams County, Colorado, July 21-24. If you haven’t already registered to attend, I encourage you to do so. Let your voice be heard.
Debbie Wise Debbie Wise Randolph County Circuit Clerk / AAC Board President
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COUNTY LINES, WINTER 2022
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