County Priorities for the Upcoming Year

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County Priorities for the Upcoming Year

• Pedro E. Flores
• October 5, 2006

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Mood of County Officials

• In 2006, County Officials were more optimistic
  about economic issues
• But more pessimistic about the direction of the
  nation.

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More positive than the public on Nations Economy
How would you rate the economic conditions in
the United States today?
Source NACo and National Center for the Study of
Counties at the Carl Vinson Institute of
Government (U-GA)
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Difficulty of Budget Process
Was the challenge of balancing your county's
budget this year easier, more difficult, or about
the same as in other years?
Source NACo and National Center for the Study of
Counties at the Carl Vinson Institute of
Government (U-GA)
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Why the change in attitude?

• State subsidies?
• Property taxes?
• Its the economy!

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Direction of Country
Comparing County Elected Officials' Attitudes
about the Direction of the Nation in 2004, 2005,
and 2006
Source NACo and National Center for the Study of
Counties at the Carl Vinson Institute of
Government (U-GA)
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What does this mean for geospatial investment?

• A good time to implement new projects?
• Counties are focusing on themselves as brokers of
  solutions.
• Geospatial investment needs to address policy
  concerns.

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NACos Legislative Priorities

• Telecom Rewrite
• Preserve CDBGs
• PILT
• Crystal Meth Epidemic
• Voting Rights
• Health Care Financing
• Oppose all unfunded mandates

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Counties Working with States and Feds

• Support national funding opportunities for
  locals.
• Imagery for the Nations
• Geospatial related Grants
• Partnerships must be genuine.

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Questions and Comments

• Pedro E Flores
• National Association of Counties (NACo)
• 202-942-4247
• pflores_at_naco.org
• www.naco.org