Alisha Bell
“Whether you’re in a large, rural, or suburban county or tribal community, we all have similar challenges. Similarly, NACo has challenges that our leadership must address so that we maintain our status as the leading voice in county government. We must continue to provide resources, technical assistance, and best practices to remain relevant to our members. Remaining relevant and responsive while simultaneously adapting to change will be paramount over the next few years. I firmly believe that in NACo: Together we R.I.S.E. and inherently address what I see as four critical challenges.”
Resiliency
We must ensure that our legislative priorities emphasize resiliency in our mandated functions as county officials. We must always be prepared to respond to and recover from natural and man-made disasters, economic downturns, and public health emergencies. As a former Chair of the Public Safety and Justice Committee, I brought in experts to discuss the importance of our county emergency management departments, as well as the National Weather Service, to highlight the role of weather patterns when preparing for possible natural disasters. Over the last five years, the United States has experienced more than 100 weather disasters, each causing losses of $1 billion or more! Additionally, our public health departments did an extraordinary job in addressing issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a stark reminder of the importance of preparedness, the capacity to withstand and recover from difficulties, and how counties remain on the front line of resiliency, with NACo providing important resources and tools for effective management of these occurrences.
“As former Chair of the Public Safety and Justice Committee, I brought in experts to discuss the importance of our county emergency management departments as well as the National Weather Service to highlight the role of weather patterns when preparing for possible natural disasters.”
Infrastructure & Innovation
Many of our communities are burdened with aging bridges, roads, sewer systems, and other infrastructure. Supporting the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will greatly assist counties in making the much-needed updates and repairs that our residents rely on. Counties operate 44 percent of the nation’s public roads and 38 percent of bridges. NACo’s role in advocacy to Congress played a pivotal role in developing this comprehensive bill. Our NACo leadership must continue engaging our membership and Congress by telling our story and advocating for investments in our transportation, stormwater systems, bridges, roads, and airports.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is here to stay and counties need to understand the implications of this emerging technology. NACo leadership must continuously inform members of the pros and cons and guide them on how to best use AI for greater efficiencies in government without jeopardizing our workforce. AI can assist in preventing cyber attacks and enhancing infrastructure monitoring, just to name a few of its capabilities. Staying informed on the newest and greatest innovations in technology must remain a top priority for NACo leadership and members as technology becomes an increasingly integral part of county government operations.
Sustainability
Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs is the essence of sustainability. Counties must create policies that balance economic development with environmental protections. Being mindful of clean air and fresh water supplies and their impact on residents’ health should be a priority. We can achieve that by encouraging communities to reduce waste, reuse materials, and recycle when appropriate. NACo’s commitment to providing resources and tools for more sustainable counties will certainly benefit county efficiencies as well as the health of our residents.
Engagement
Membership engagement is paramount to NACo’s continued success. Regular communication with members, especially new ones, through webinars and opportunities to share best practices with NACo fosters a sense of belonging and reinforces that every member has valuable contributions to offer. Checking in via phone calls or emails can make a significant difference in making members feel valued. Welcoming events for new members at the Legislative and Annual Conferences help initiate this process.
“I proudly served as a NACo Ambassador welcoming new members to the Legislative and Annual Conference and look forward to continuing to enhance new member engagement.”