NACO E-Line

Nebraska Association of County Officials

1335 H Street Lincoln, NE 68508

Phone: (402) 434-5660

Fax: (402) 434-5673

September 20, 2019 | www.nacone.org | NACO E-Line Archive

Annual Conference Room Reservation Date

Friday, September 27 at 10:00 a.m. (CDT)

The Younes staff will begin accepting hotel reservations for the NACO Conference on Friday, September 27 ^th at 10:00 a.m. (central time) with the following guidelines:

Only 5 rooms can be reserved per phone call
Names MUST BE on each room reservation (they have to be different names for each room, you cannot use one name for all the reservations
CANCELLATION POLICY – If you wish to cancel a room reservation, it must be cancelled by November 27, 2019. Any cancellations after this date will be subject to a minimum 1 night room charge. Those reservations that no-show will be billed for the first night’s stay and will be cancelled for any additional nights.

Below are a list of hotels with their corresponding phone numbers:

LaQuinta Inn: (308) 237-4400
Hampton Inn: (308) 234-3400
Fairfield Inn: (308) 236-4200
Comfort Inn: (308) 236-3400
Holiday Inn: (308) 237-5971
Candlewood Suites: (308) 234-1100
Holiday Inn Express: (308) 234-8100

Additional lodging options in close proximity and are not contracted by NACO include;

Best Western Mid Nebraska Inn & Suites: (308) 234-2541
AmericInn: (308) 234-7800
Country Inn & Suites: (308) 236-7500
Ramada Inn: (308) 237-3141

A tentative conference agenda and conference registration are also available.

2019 Legislative Conference

The NACO Legislative Conference will be hosted by Earl McNutt, Red Willow County Commissioner and NACO Past President in McCook, Nebraska on October 10, 2019.

Registration and Agenda are now available.

Caring For Our Courthouses

The third annual Maintenance Exchange Workshop will be held on October 17, 2019 at the Wayne State College Student Center in Wayne, Nebraska. Janitorial staff and building maintenance personnel are encouraged to attend this one day event for assisting them in the development of a network of information and contacts to provide the best possible care for our county buildings and properties. It is encouraged that each custodial staff person accompany a county board member to this workshop so both can be informed and committed to the process of preservation. Preservation of historic buildings will also assist in local economic development efforts.

Berggren Architects has been a key player in helping to promote and provide input into this workshop so Nebraska courthouses can benefit from a program of care through education and implementation. Eakes Office Supplies provides training and financial support.

Preservation architect, Elizabeth Murphy will be the keynote and luncheon speaker. An afternoon session dealing with courthouse security is a new addition to this year's agenda.

To see a video overview of the workshop click here . The agenda and registration are also available. Any questions, please contact LeRoy Janssen by email or by calling the NACO office at 402-434

Community Disaster Loan Program

The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has announced that interested applicants for the Community Disaster Loan Program should respond to NEMA with a point of contact name, title and contact information along with a mailing address. Program staff will be in the state November 4 through 15 to meet with potential applicants. Attachments below describe the program

For any questions and submitting information, contact Earl Imler by email or by calling 402-471-7181 (O) or 402-471-5184 (C).

Community Disaster Loan Program Purpose

Community Disaster Loan Fact Sheet

Community Disaster Loan Implementation Process

Community Disaster Loan Program Regulations

Law Enforcement Dealing With Mental Health & Substance Abuse Disorders

Mini-BETA

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

in York, Nebraska

Deadline for registration is:

Friday, October 4, 2019

Region V Systems is hosting a 1-day training designed to assist Nebraska law enforcement personnel obtain better outcomes when working with persons with mental health and/or substance use disorders.

Mini-BETA is intended for dispatchers, support, or sworn personnel who encounter persons experiencing a mental health crisis.

Participants will be introduced to signs and symptoms of mental health disorders or challenges, local mental health resources, threat assessment principals and strategies, and problem solving within local systems of care.

Please note the cost for this training is $50.00 which includes a light breakfast and lunch.

You can register by clicking on the "Register Now" link below.

If you have questions please contact:

Kristin Nelson, Region V Systems

[email protected]

Phone: 402-441-4356

Jean Barton, Region V Systems

jb [email protected]

Phone: 402-441-4336

Click Here To Help NACO Recognize

Sustaining Members

Legislature Schedules Interim Hearings

Unfunded Mandates Hearing Set for October 18

When the state requires counties to perform an action without providing funding, the action is an unfunded mandate. County officials will have an opportunity to discuss the burden of unfunded mandates on county budgets at a hearing of the Legislature’s Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee on Friday, October 18. Senator Justin Wayne introduced LR149 to examine the legislative history of unfunded mandates, the cost to counties, and the funding sources used by counties to pay for unfunded mandates. The hearing on LR149 will begin at 1:30 p.m. in Room 1507 of the State Capitol and will be livestreamed on NET.

The hearing may also address related issues presented in LR148 , which was referred to the Judiciary Committee and has not been scheduled for a public hearing. LR148 is an examination of unfunded mandates to county governments in the administration of judicial proceedings, including costs of operating district and county courts, providing courtroom space, and providing courtroom security.

At the same hearing, the committee will also take testimony on LR247 , by Senator Andrew La Grone, to examine the long-term sustainability of recurring election technology replacement.

The interim study resolutions were introduced during the legislative session to examine new ideas for legislation and to dig deeper into issues raised by previously introduced bills. Public hearings are held on some of the priority issues selected by each legislative committee, including the topics that are of interest to counties. County officials are encouraged to attend the hearings and provide testimony. Unlike hearings during the legislative session, testifiers do not need to take a position in support or opposition to the issue, but are asked to provide input. If you plan to testify, please contact the NACO office so we can coordinate county comments. Most of the hearings held in the State Capitol are livestreamed by NET.

Other interim hearings have been scheduled on the following topics involving counties:

Tax Equalization and Review Commission and Assessment

The Revenue Committee will be taking invited testimony at a hearing on processes and procedures used in the assessment and valuation of real property and in appeals to the Tax Equalization and Review Commission (TERC). LR232 was introduced by Senator John McCollister and will be heard on Friday, October 4 at 1:30 p.m. in Room 1510. It will look at eliminating redundant mailings, using a single mass assessment software statewide, filing property tax protests, consolidation of assessors, and reducing the acceptable range for real property valuation, among other issues.

911 and Broadband

The Appropriations Committee and Transportation and Telecommunications Committee will hold joint hearings on Wednesday December 4. At 10:00 a.m., the committees will hear a report by the Nebraska Department of Transportation on needs of the state highway system. At 11:15 a.m., the committees will receive a briefing on the Public Service Commission’s 911 service system. At 1:00 p.m., the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee will take testimony on two studies about broadband development in the state. LR166 will review the report of the rural Broadband Task Force that was created in 2018. LR175 will examine changes needed to carry out the task force’s recommendations. All hearings are in Room 1507.

Juvenile Justice

The Health and Human Services Committee will meet in Geneva on October 2 and in Kearney on October 3 to review issues related to the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers in Kearney and Geneva, as well as other state facilities. Senators John Lowe ( LR103 ) and Dan Quick ( LR200 ) introduced the study resolutions. The Geneva hearing will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the Geneva City Council Chambers. The Kearney hearing will begin at 1:00 p.m. in the Nebraska Student Union on the University of Nebraska at Kearney campus.

On Thursday, October 17, the Judiciary Committee will take testimony on juvenile justice issues as part of LR236 . The hearing will begin at 1:00 p.m. in Room 120 of the Industrial Training Center at Metro Community College in Omaha. This hearing had originally been scheduled for October 4 in Lincoln.

Sex Offender Registries

Sex offender registries will be the focus of a hearing on issues under the jurisdiction of the Judiciary Committee on Friday, September 27. The hearing on LR204 will begin at 9:00 a.m. in Room 1507.

Retirement

The Nebraska Retirement Systems Committee will hold its annual reviews of the public employees’ retirement systems administered by the Public Employees Retirement Board on Tuesday, November 19. The hearing on LR66 will be held in Room 1507 at 1:30 p.m.. The committee will also receive reports by all political subdivisions with underfunded defined benefit plans as required by LR65 .

Metal and Behavioral Health

On Friday, September 27, the Health and Human Services Committee will hear LR160 , a study to assess the mental and behavioral health needs of Nebraskans and the current shortages of services and resources. One of the topics for discussion is emergency protective custody and the steps the Department of Health and Human Services takes to ensure a safe and appropriate environment for individuals placed in such custody. The hearing will begin qt 10:00 a.m. in Room 1510.

Codes and Planning

Adoption of default plumbing codes for counties and cities without their own codes will be discussed as part of LR132 , a measure that will be heard by the Urban Affairs Committee on Friday, October 4. The committee will also hear LR119, an examination of issues related to the disconnection or detachment of territory from the corporate limits of municipalities. The hearing begins at 9:00 in the Warner Chamber.

The complete interim study schedule is available here or each month's hearings can be found on the Legislature's calendar .

MIPS Bytes

The Do's and Donts of Social Media Security

Whether it’s friending, following, liking or sharing, social media outlets like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram have become the new means of communication for all ages. Social media can be used to benefit you both personally and professionally, but it is important to stay informed and take steps to protect yourself online.

Up Your Privacy . Most social media sites and applications allow strict privacy settings, but not always by default. You may need to go in and update your settings, so you can limit who can access your profile.

Don’t Reveal Too Much . Sharing personal details like your address and phone number for all to see on social media is not recommended.

Secure Your Computer . Make sure your computer contains updated anti-virus security. Some links presented on profiles or feeds can actually be scams that contain viruses.

Log Out When Done . Be sure to log out on public access machines. Closing the browser isn't always enough because the next person who opens up the site or app may find that he or she is still logged in as you.

Social media is a great way to stay connected with family, friends and colleagues. It’s always a good idea to protect yourself online, whether using social media or browsing the web. Make sure you keep these tips in mind the next time you log in to your favorite social site or app.

County Government Day PowerPoint

The PowerPoint presentation is available electronically at no charge (sent via e-mail) for use by counties during their annual County Government Day. The PowerPoint provides a comprehensive look at county government functions in the State of Nebraska and can be customized by each county.

To request the County Government Day PowerPoint electronically, please e-mail your request to [email protected] .

News from NACo

Stepping Up Initiative Reaches 500 County Resolutions

The national Stepping Up initiative to reduce mental illness in jails reached a milestone 500 county resolutions this month.

Started in May 2015 by NACo and its partners at The Council of State Governments Justice Center and the American Psychiatric Association Foundation, Stepping Up was launched as a way to elevate the issue of too many people with mental illnesses entering jail and provide county leaders with tools and resources to address this challenge locally.

As part of this launch, counties were called to action to pass a resolution or proclamation committing to joining the initiative and building data-driven and collaborative plans to tackle the issue in their communities.

The first county resolution was passed in April 2015 by Merrimack County, N.H., and the number of resolutions being submitted has continued to grow over the last four years of the initiative.

NACo Webinars

Supreme Court Preview

Sep. 24, 2019

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Contact: Lisa Soronen

It is rare for the Supreme Court’s docket to be so interesting before the term has even started! Join Michael Dreeben, former Deputy Solicitor General and currently visiting lecturer at Georgetown Law; Joe Palmore, Morrison Foerster, who will argue a case this term on the interplay between state tort law and the Superfund statute; and Todd Ruger, legal affairs staff writer at CQ Roll Call, in a discussion of the most interesting and important cases of the term for states and local governments on topics including: guns, DACA, Bridgegate, copyrighting statutory annotations, school choice, and many other topics.