TCSA Attends 2023 NACo Conference to Represent Tennessee
July 28, 2023
The National Association of Counties held its annual conference in Austin, Texas over the last week. Numerous Tennesseans were present in the Lone Star state to meet with their counterparts from across the country, attend steering committee meetings and hear dynamic national speakers in the general sessions. The conference had over 3,000 people in attendance, including representatives from the many companies that participated in a massive trade show of goods and services for county governent. Nine Tennessee counties sent elected officials or staff to the event and both TCSA Director David Connor and TCHOA Director Brett Howell were in attendance.
There was an extra level of excitement this year as Tennessee had, for the first time in recent memory, a candidate for NACo Second Vice President. Generally, this position is the only competitive officer election for NACo. Roane County Commissioner and TCSA President Ron Berry announced his intention to run for the office earlier this year and has been campaigning since before the NACo Legislative Conference in February. His opponent was Wise County Texas County Judge J.D. Clark. Though he garnered the support of many counties and states, in the end, Ron made the choice to bow out gracefully, conceding the election to Judge Clark and asking his supporters to get behind him. Ron was however re-elected unanimously to his position as the South Region Representative, representing the 12-state southern region of NACo on its executive committee.
Judge Clark became the NACo 2nd VP, Supervisor James Gore of Sonoma County California rose to take the position of 1st VP, and Commissioner Mary Jo McGuire of Ramsey County Minnesota was installed as the new NACo President. She succeeds Board Member Denise Winfrey of Will County, Illinois, who moves into the past president office for one year.
With the conclusion of the annual conference, NACo begins a new year of service. TCSA can nominate officials and staff from NACo member counties to serve on one of NACo’s ten policy steering committees. These committees discuss and debate the resolutions and platform positions that make-up NACo’s American County Platform. The ten steering committees include:
- Agriculture and Rural Affairs
- Community, Economic and Workforce Development
- Environment, Energy and Land Use
- Finance, Pensions, and Intergovernmental Affairs
- Health
- Human Services and Education
- Justice and Public Safety
- Public Lands
- Telecommunications and Technology
- Transportation
If you are interested in serving or having a staff member from your county serve on one of these committees, email TCSA. There are also numerous caucuses, task forces and advisory boards that are filled by NACo presidential appointment. To learn more about how to get involved and engaged with NACo and to download an application form for service on a NACo Steering Committee, go to: https://www.naco.org/about/membership-blueprint