Umatilla County Commissioners Larry Givens and Bill Elfering joined 500 county officials at the National Association of Counties’ (NACo) Western Interstate Region (WIR) conference in Teton County, Jackson Hole, Wyo.
The conference took place from May 25-27. The conference brought together nationally renowned experts, state and federal policy leaders and county officials from across the country.
With critical legislative and regulatory issues being debated in the nation’s capital, county leaders discussed issues important to Western communities. These issues included:
● Ensuring certainty in federal county payments through the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) and Secure Rural Schools (SRS) programs
● New regulations proposed by the Bureau of Land Management that could substantially affect counties containing federal public lands
● Strengthening local infrastructure
“Each county is unique, but we can learn from one another to address the challenges counties and residents face,” said Elfering. “It’s also important for Umatilla County to have a role in shaping key federal policies that affect us every day. Much of the information presented at the conference will help our efforts at home.”
The conference brought together national experts, state and federal policy leaders and county officials from across the country. Featured speakers included Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead, U.S. Interior Department Deputy Secretary Michael Connor, U.S. Bureau of Land Management Director Neil Kornze and Grand Teton National Park Superintendent David Vela.
Educational workshops focused on priority issues including:
• Responding to active shooter incidents
• Addressing local road safety
• Managing public lands
• Maintaining cybersecurity
• Creating fire‐adapted communities
• Fostering economic development
