FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2015                AACo Bulletin        Advancing Arizona's Counties since 1968
In This Issue
Leadership Conference a Great Success!
Redistricting panel: Kory Langhofer, Mary O'Grady, Barrett Marson (moderator) & Josh Carden.

This week, the Arizona Association of Counties hosted the 2015 County Leadership Conference at the Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain in Pima County. The event was sponsored by Nationwide Retirement SolutionsU.S. CommunitiesNACo Prescription Drug Discount Card, and Erin Collins & Associates

 

The event brought together more than 100 county officials and leaders who heard from speakers on leadership, strategic messaging, media strategies, redistricting and so much more. In addition, attendees had the chance to meet with dozens of sponsors, vendors and exhibitors who provide valuable products and services to local governments.


 

On Tuesday morning, attendees took part in a three and half hour training

on personality assessment and leadership. Dan Clark, Director of Montana State University's Local Government Center used a personality assessment tool to drive home the need to have a balanced workplace and to ensure that employees are working towards their strengths.  His remarks were full of real world examples, humor and he was well received by the participants.


 

Attendees participate in Real Colors training with Dan Clark.

That afternoon there were a number of Learning Labs offered so attendees could choose their educational experience. Kevin McConnell, with Lexis-Nexis, spoke about legal research in the age of technology, public relations experts David and Jen Leibowitz offered some media training for those who find themselves on camera, and Thom Reilly, Director of ASU's Morrison Institute shared insights on shaping public research through the lens of local government challenges. In addition, attendees could also learn about body cameras from Steve Tuttle with Taser, learn about the economy through the lens of interest rates from Michael Brown from Wells Fargo, learn tips for effective strategic messaging with Karl Gentles, CEO of Karl Gentles PR, or pick up some social media tips from AACo's Executive Director Jen Marson. The day ended in the Marketplace Reception in which county leaders had another opportunity to visit with the innovative and cost-saving partners from the private sector who participated in the conference.


 

Wednesday began with a panel discussion on redistricting moderated by Barrett Marson, CEO of Marson Media, and featuring renowned election attorneys Mary O'Grady from Osborn Maledon, Kory Langhofer from Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck and Joshua Carden from Davis Miles. The panel discussed the history of the Independent Redistricting Commission, shared their insights from being at the United States Supreme Court when the case was heard and offered predictions about what happens next once a ruling is issued. Attendees also heard from Karl Gentles about a new civic engagement platform called Arizona Voices which gathers public opinion on issues moving through legislature.


 

The conference concluded with a luncheon and an inspirational presentation by Warren Rustand, titled "Taking Your Life to the Next Level". His remarks made everyone stop and think and ended the conference on a note of positivity and promise.

Warren Rustand began his
Warren Rustand began his "Taking Your Life to the Next Level" presentation with a quotation from George Carlin.


 

The 2015 conference proved to be a successful, exciting, and informative event. AACo is deeply appreciative of the event's sponsors and all of the attendees, vendors, and speakers who spent their time with us.

Operation Hydration Challenge - Donations Exceeded Expectations
Part of the group that helped deliver water to the St. Francis Cooling Center in Tucson.
The Operation Hydration challenge has surpassed all expectations. AACo is very grateful to everyone who participated. A special thank you to Ameresco and their significant donation that helped get the ball rolling. 

Many conference attendees brought water to the event to donate. In addition, many donated cash so we could go purchase more water. On Wednesday we received word that Salt River Project would be donating $350 to Operation Hydration. That is our largest single donation and it will make a huge difference!

Wednesday afternoon after the conference several AACo Board members caravaned with AACo staff to the St. Francis Cooling Center in South Tucson. We were able to give them just over 10,000 bottles of water !  Many volunteers had long drives to get home to Apache and Greenlee counties and yet without hesitation they offered to help. A special thank you to Linda Durr (Greenlee) and her family, Jay Yellowhorse (Apache) and his family, as well as AACo officers Beth Ford and Manny Ruiz

All cash donations received at the conference will be used to purchase water and we will donate it to the Human Services Campus  in Phoenix. All told, Arizona counties and valued partners like Ameresco and SRP came together to collect 16,025 bottles of water to help Arizona's homeless population - that's 2,115 gallons of water!
Federal Legislation Impacting Counties
PILT : The FY15 payment of $404.6 million has been distributed by the Department of the Interior (DOI) to public land counties. Last December Congress provided $442M to fund PILT with $405 of it being available in the current fiscal year and another $37M becoming available After October 1. There are some thing to note about the October 1 payment:
  • The $37M will be considered an FY16 payment
  • Timing of payment is likely the first quarter of calendar year 2016. DOI will ask for data on September 30, 2015 that will be the basis for the 2016 PILT calculation/distribution
  • Due to administrative provisions, DOI cannot issue payments of less than $100. Thus, counties that receive low PILT funds generally, may not see an "October" distribution since $37M is so much less proportionally.
AACo Bulletin: Summer Publication Schedule
For the next two months the AACo Bulletin will publish every two weeks, beginning on July 10th. The regular weekly schedule will begin resume in September. 

Since we will not be publishing next week AACo would like to wish everyone a safe and happy celebration of our country's independence . Counties play a crucial role in the success and forward progress of our nation. AACo is proud to work with counties and with all of the people who choose to serve in county government. 


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