NYSAC Update: Climate Resiliency, Opioid Lawsuit, Technology

• By: NYSAC
• On: 08/17/2018 09:23:06
• In: County Perspective

Fall Seminar: Register Today!
Sept 24-26, in Rochester
The NYSAC Fall Seminar is coming to Rochester next month! Join hundreds of county delegates from across the state for cutting edge workshops that will keep you ahead of the curve on emerging local issues. Agenda and registration information is now available online. Register today and encourage your colleagues in county government to do the same. We look forward to seeing you in Monroe County!
 
Please note, the hotel reservation deadline is August 27, but the room block may sell out before this date.
 
Resolution Ideas Due Aug. 17
NYSAC's legislative platform for the 2019 legislative session will be generated in large part from the resolutions adopted by our membership at the upcoming Fall Seminar.
New resolution ideas should be forwarded to NYSAC no later than Friday, August 17th to ensure appropriate time for processing and consideration by standing committee members at the Fall Seminar. Resolutions submitted after this date may not be considered at this conference. 

Please send your resolutions and/or ideas to the NYSAC committee staff liaison. Thank you for your participation in this process and we look forward to seeing you at the Fall Seminar. 
If you would like to join a NYSAC standing committee, please complete and return the nominating form. The form can be found online here.

NYSAC Convenes Climate Resiliency Committee
Climate change will impact New York State in several critical ways, including effects on agriculture, increased severe heat events, heavy rain, drought, rising sea levels, and changes in disease patterns. To help county officials prepare for this future, NYSAC has convened a committee to discuss climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. 

The Climate Resiliency Committee is chaired by Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and is comprised of the county positions directly impacted by changes in the climate. This includes officials from public health, environmental health, transportation, emergency services, solid waste, planning, and agriculture. The committee also includes representatives from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the NYS Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the National Association of Counties (NACo), and the Nature Conservancy.

We encourage county officials who are interested in learning more about this topic to attend the Addressing Climate Change in Your County workshop at the NYSAC Fall Seminar on Tuesday, September 25 from 10:45am to noon.

NYSAC Provides Update on Opioid Lawsuit
On August 6, 2018 NYSAC hosted a conference call forum with over 40 NYS County Attorneys to provide an update on the county lawsuits against opioid manufacturers and distributors. This update included the importance of the Court's recent rejection of the defendant's motion to dismiss.
During the call, the law firms leading our counties in this battle on your behalf - Napoli Shkolnik PLLC and Simmons Hanly Conroy LLC - recapped recent lawsuit developments and provided insight into the future of this pivotal lawsuit. The call finished with steps for counties if required to calculate damage amounts and a question and answer with the attorneys. NYSAC will continue to monitor developments in this historic lawsuit and help our counties as this matter progresses. 

County Election Commissioners Congregate in Niagara County
The New York State Election Commissioners Association (NYSECA) held its 103^rd summer conference at the Conference Center in Niagara Falls. The three-day event included discussions of legislative priorities, campaign finance and election law updates, media relations, and cyber-security, among many other topics.
To learn more about what the State and county boards of elections are doing to secure county election systems going into this year's primary and general elections, click here listen to NYSAC's podcast featuring the Co-Executive Directors of the New York State Board of Elections, Robert Brehm and Todd Valentine.

County Treasurers and Finance Officers Gather for Annual Conference
Dozens of county treasurers and finance officers gathered in Jefferson County to discuss numerous items that impact the work of their departments. In total, about 80 people attended the conference discussing a wide variety of items including an update from NYSAC on issues related to the end of the State legislative session, sales and property tax results, and a recent Supreme Court decision. Other presenters discussed the economy and what to expect over the near term, the ins and outs of capital project financing, what's new in estate administration, GASB 75 changes, innovations in fraud detection and forensic accounting, and alternative methods of electronic bidding for bonds, among other issues. Additional time was set aside for open discussion, networking and a business meeting of the NYS County Treasurers and Finance Officers Association.   

Share Your County's Story: Technology and Innovation
The Fall 2018 issue of NYSAC News magazine will focus on Technology and Innovation in our counties. Topics will include
 

• Emerging technologies for local governments
• Stories of counties implementing technology solutions
• Innovative county programs
• Cybersecurity
• Federal updates
• County policy priorities
• Other issue updates

NYSAC is now accepting articles related to these topics as well as other county services and functions.
Articles should be 500-750 words and can be sent to Nicole Correia (ncorreia@nysac.org) by September 21. Submissions should include an author headshot as well as any supporting charts, photos, or images (these should be high res files - 300 dpi, jpg, tif, or eps file format). For more details on contributing an article, visit our website. 
The current issue of NYSAC News magazine has arrived in member mailboxes, and is available online, here.

Training & Funding Opportunities

Application Deadline Approaching for State Water Infrastructure Grants
The New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) is accepting applications for grants available through the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) and Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grants Program (IMG) until 5pm on Friday, September 7. WIIA and IMG grants are available for both drinking water and sewage treatment works (clean water) projects. Counties may receive awards of up to $25 million for eligible projects. To apply, visit www.efc.ny.gov/IMG or www.efc.ny.gov/WIIA. 

County Government Institute 101: The Best Training for County Officials
The NYSAC County Government Institute (CGI) prepares rising and experienced county leaders for the challenges counties face, and equips them to engage in informed, constructive, and civil dialogue. Courses eligible for credit toward the CGI certificate will be offered at NYSAC's upcoming Fall Seminar. Learn more.

NYSAC Videos and Podcasts
Our latest videos and podcasts explore a wide range of issues of interest to county leaders. Find them all in one place at www.nysac.org/media.