NACo News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Association of Counties (NACo) and the National Council of County Association Executives (NCCAE) will host a policy summit Jan. 14 on the state of America’s counties. The summit will include a state of the counties address from NACo President and Wise County, Texas Judge J.D. Clark, as well as exploration of new data on county leadership and a series of policy panel discussions.
The data review will include key takeaways from a recent NACo member survey, in cluding identifying top issues for counties and breaking down geographic patterns. Panel discussions on transportation, energy and artificial intelligence, and disaster management will go into greater detail on the role of counties in the year ahead when it comes to some of today’s most pressing issues.
The event comes as counties look to sustain storytelling and advocacy around the county role in the federal-state-local-tribal intergovernmental partnership. With local implications of H.R. 1, outstanding 2026 federal appropriations and massive technical innovations carrying opportunities and challenges for counties, county leaders will communicate the broad and essential role of local government, the unique insights counties offer and what county priorities are rising to the top for the new year.
NACo-NCCAE Policy Summit: The State of America’s Counties
- Wednesday, Jan. 14
- 2-4:30 p.m.
National Association of Counties
- 660 North Capitol St. NW
- Washington, DC 20001
Opening Remarks: State of America’s Counties
- 2-2:20 p.m.
- Hon. J.D. Clark, NACo President, Judge, Wise County, Texas
Results from NACo Membership Survey
- 2:20-2:35 p.m.
- Teryn Zmuda, NACo Chief Economist & Chief Research Officer
Panel Discussion: Transportation
- 2:35-3:10 p.m.
- Philip Church, County Administrator, Oswego County, N.Y.
- Steve Hobbs, Executive Director, Missouri Association of Counties
- Hon. Antoinette Wallace, Commissioner, Macomb County, Mich.
Panel Discussion: Energy & Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- 3:20-3:55 p.m.
- Hon. Victor Angry, Supervisor, Prince William County, Va.
- Ginger Delegal, Executive Director, Florida Association of Counties
- Hon. Clinton Johnson, Commissioner, Dougherty County, Ga.
- Chris Villines, Executive Director, Association of Arkansas Counties
Panel Discussion: Disasters
- 3:55-4:25 p.m.
- Kevin Leonard, Executive Director, North Carolina Association of County Commissioners
- Hon. Michelle Lincoln, Commissioner, Monroe County, Fla.
- Hon. Robby Miller, President, Tangipahoa Parish, La.