NMAC News Brief 1/31/2013
ALL AFFILIATES
NEW! NEW MEXICO CRISIS AND ACCESS LINE (NMCAL) AVAILABLE!
One of the HJM 17 recommendations was for the creation of a centralized, statewide call center with a single telephone number that is connected to local authorities and behavioral health agencies throughout the state. Beginning February 1, 2013, the New Mexico Crisis and Access Line (NMCAL) will be available statewide, helping New Mexicans get immediate access to local help and resources during a mental health crisis. This is a collaborative effort between the State, OptumHealth NM and Protocall, the vendor for the line.
The NMCAL will be staffed by master’s level clinicians who can respond to a crisis 24 hours per day and 7 days per week. The line will be available statewide and toll free at 1-855-NMCRISIS (1-855-662-7474). The line is accredited by the American Association of Suicidology.Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Melanie Christopher at (505) 798-5686 .
NEW! POST-LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE WINNER!
Congratulations to Celeste Griego, Executive Assistant, Socorro County! Celeste who completed the 2013 Legislative Conference Post-Conference Survey by January 25 was selected at random to receive the Apple iPod 16 GB Nano. Thank you Celeste for sharing your impressions of Legislative Conference!
NEW! BETTER INFORMED PUBLIC OFFICIALS (BIPO)
BIPOConference is scheduled to be held March 25-28, 2013 at the Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown. Registration for BIPO will begin February 15, 2013. Please watch the NMAC website for further information.
NEW! NMAC BOARD ACTION ITEMS FROM JANUARY 15, 2013
1) Van H. Robertson, Union County Commissioner, is the new Executive Committee District II representative
2) NMAC finalized the loan for the purchase and improvements of the 444 Galisteo property from the Multi-Line Pool Board.
3) Sharon Stover, Los Alamos County Clerk, was reappointed as the NMAC Treasurer.
4) Edward Michael, Cibola County Commissioner, is the new NACo Large Urban County representative.
5) The 2011-2012 NMAC Financial Audit as of June 30, 2012 was approved.
6) The 2012 Investment Policy Statement was approved.
7) Luna County will host the 2014 Annual Conference and Bernalillo County will host the 2015 Annual Conference.
8) The Traffic Violation Reform legislative resolution was removed from the NMAC priority list.
9) The Assessors’ Affiliate will reintroduce legislation to increase the salary cap for county elected officials.
10) An offer on the 613 Old Santa Fe Trail property was not accepted and direction was given to continue negotiations.
11) NMAC staff is directed to develop legislative policy statements tow work on with affiliates and bring back to the Board in August.
NEW! NMFA BACK IN BUSINESS!
SANTA FE – The board of directors of the New Mexico Finance Authority (NMFA) today lifted the temporary protocol that limited the size and type of NMFA infrastructure loans. The protocol was adopted in the wake of a fraudulent audit discovered in July of 2012. “We are now able once again to fulfill our mission of providing much needed infrastructure and improving our economy,” said NMFA board chair Nann Winter. NMFA is now accepting applications for board consideration at its March or April Meeting.
Due to the lack of a legitimate financial audit, the NMFA was unable to issue bonds needed to support large infrastructure projects through its Public Project Revolving Fund.
The NMFA audit for the 2011 fiscal year is very near completion and the 2012 audit is expected to be finished in late March of this year. A genuine 2012 audit will enable NMFA to issue bonds and more importantly provide financing for new infrastructure projects of more than $5 million as well as refinancing of existing projects.
The NMFA provides infrastructure financing to state and local governments in New Mexico. Several projects were delayed or forced to seek alternative financing as a result of the fraudulent audit.
NEW! NMFA SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT ON OPEN MEETINGS
SANTA FE – The Board of Directors of the New Mexico Finance Authority (NMFA) is soliciting comments and suggestions regarding its draft resolutions governing open meetings and inspection of public records.
The Open Meetings Resolution provides direction pertaining to public notice of NMFA board meetings and the publication of detailed agendas. It also specifies conditions under which special or emergency meetings may be called and the requirements for executive or closed board meetings.
The Public Records Resolution details procedures whereby members of the public or media representatives may inspect or obtain copies of records maintained by NMFA.
The proposed resolutions will be discussed at the NMFA board meeting on January 25, 2013. Public comments should be directed to the NMFA Records Custodian at the address below before 4:00pm, February 11, 2013.
The NMFA Board of Directors will consider final adoption of the proposed resolutions at its regular meeting on February 22, 2013. The proposed resolutions are available at:
Requests for paper copies of the proposed resolutions should be addressed to:
New Mexico Finance Authority
Attention: Records Custodian
207 Shelby Street
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
505 984-1454
SIGN UP NOW! NACo STEERING COMMITTEE VACANCIES
FOR ANY COUNTY MEMBERS
NMAC traditionally requests nominations for the National Association of Counties (NACo) Steering Committees in late spring. This year we have experienced a number of vacancies due to the 2012 election. We would like to encourage both our elected and non-elected county members to consider participating on these important policy making committees. If you are interested in serving on a 2012-2013 NACo steering committee, please contact Joy Esparsen at (505) 338-1173 or email for nomination forms.
The nominations are processed through NMAC and will be forwarded to NACo for approval.NMAC will begin soliciting nominations for the 2013-2014 steering committees in May or June. As a NACo steering committee member, you are responsible for debating and creating national policies and priorities affecting counties and serve as NACo’s front line in their grassroots efforts. Committees meet at the NACo legislative and annual conferences and one other time during the year. You will be responsible for your own travel. The eleven committees include:
§ Agriculture and Rural Affairs
§ Community and Economic Development
§ Environment, Energy and Land Use
§ Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs
§ Health
§ Human Services and Education
§ Justice and Public Safety
§ Labor and Employment
§ Public Lands
§ Telecommunications and Technology
§ Transportation
*****NACo NEWS*****
NEW! ATTEND A NACo CONFERENCE
County governments play a critical role in the governmental structure by providing services directly to the American people.Your involvement and the involvement of county officials like you is crucial to the success of NACo's legislative efforts. This year, the Western Interstate Region (WIR) Conference will be held in Flagstaff, AZ May 22-24 and the NACo Annual Conference will be held in Fort Worth, TX July 19-22. We are encouraging all county members to attend these conferences since they are both close to home. For more information, visit the NACo website at: NACo
NEW!NACo EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CHASE DISCUSSES FISCAL CLIFF/DEBT CEILING DEBATE AND POTENTIAL IMPACT ON COUNTIES
WASHINTON, D.C. - National Association of Counties (NACo) Executive Director Matt Chase recently appeared on the cable television show, Comcast Newsmakers, to discuss the ongoing fiscal debate and the potential impact on U.S. counties.To watch the complete interview, click here.
Chase, interviewed by host Robert Traynham, emphasized the critical role counties play in communities across the country and how many services, programs and local projects could be jeopardized as a result of current national debt and deficit reduction negotiations on Capitol Hill.
“When the counties talk about the fiscal cliff, we are worried about the libraries, healthcare, flu shots, roads and bridges," Chase said. "Hospitals are key. Counties run over 900 hospitals across the country and are traditionally the providers of last resort for those who do not have insurance. Under state law in most cases, we have to provide for indigent care as well as Medicaid patients.”
For more information on how these important issues may affect counties and their residents, check out:
- NACo Legislative Presentation:Debt Limit and Ongoing Fiscal Debate: County Risks and Opportunities (Jan. 24, 2013);
- NACo Legislative Brief: The County Perspective: The Fiscal-Cliff Deal (Jan. 3, 2013);
- NACo Legislative Presentation: Federal Budget Sequestration 101: Perspective Through the County Lens (Nov. 2012); and
- Legislative Fact Sheet: Facts You Should Know: State and Municipal Bankruptcy, Municipal Bonds, State and Local Pensions (2012).
NEW! NACo COUNTY NEWS
/ Update: Senators unveil bi-partisan immigration reform proposalThe bi-partisan Gang of Eight who have been negotiating a comprehensive immigration reform package over the past few months unveiled their framework for reform Jan. 28.
Read More
/ Ability to pay, new factor in Clean Water Act compliance
EPA has directed its regional offices to consider local financial capacity when developing compliance schedules in order to meet Clean Water Act responsibilities.
Read More
/ NACo recommends robust mental health care in fight to curb violence
NACo First Vice President Linda Langston joined President Obama during the Jan. 16 White House unveiling of comprehensive proposals to reduce violence in American communities.
Read More
/ Tennessee commissioner is life-long student, teacher
Whitey Hitchcock is many things — a painter, weaver, mushroom hunter — and not least, a commissioner in Anderson County, Tenn.
Read More
Newtown school shootings serve as catalyst for counties' response on gun violence
Counties have reacted to the threat of gun violence with a variety of measures including changes to mental health services, county ordinances and gun buybacks. Read More
NACo WEBINAR: Sustainable Jails: Ripe Opportunities for Saving County Resources
Thursday, Feb. 14, 2–3:15 p.m. EST. Savvy county officials are investing in energy upgrades and reusable, durable materials at county facilities, and the payback is significant. Join this webinar to hear from industry and county leaders at the forefront of sustainable correctional facilities.Register and Learn MoreContact: Cindy Wasser • 202.942.4274
NACo WEBINAR: Health Reform Policy Academy: Where Implementation Stands Now
Thursday, Feb. 21, 2–3:15 p.m. EST. Participate in the webinar to find out what you need to know about the current status of Affordable Care Act implementation efforts and how your county can respond effectively. Register and Learn MoreContact: Anita Cardwell • 202.942.4274
*****NMAC JOB POSTINGS*****
Updated job position openings from counties and the NMAC organization are posted on the NMAC website at the following link: Employment OpportunitiesPlease email any listings to be included on the NMAC website to:
NMAC News Briefs: If you know of anyone in your county or in your office who would like to receive these email briefs, have them email to be added to the distribution list. OR Affiliate Chairs, you may want to pass on information to your affiliate through this email brief.
Calendar of Events, Trainings, and Conferences:
Thurs. Feb. 7NMAC Executive Committee Teleconference, 11:00 a.m.
Thurs. Feb. 14Last Day for Bill Introductions
Fri. Feb. 15-16 NMAC Executive Committee & Board meetings, Santa Fe & Hotel Santa Fe
Thurs. Feb. 21NMAC Executive Committee Teleconference, 11:00 a.m.
Sat. Mar. 1660-Day Legislative Session Ends, Noon
Tues. Mar. 26-28Better Informed Public Officials (BIPO) TBD, Albuquerque
Fri. April 5Legislation Not Acted Upon by Governor is Pocket Vetoed
Tues. Apr. 9NEW!Luna County District V meeting
Wed. Apr. 10NEW!Socorro County District III meeting
Thurs. Apr. 11NEW!Sandoval County District I meeting
Tues. Apr. 16LEDAC meeting, Santa Fe, 8:30 a.m.
Wed. Apr. 17Multi-Line Board meeting, Santa Fe, 8:30 a.m.
Thurs. Apr. 18Workers’ Compensation Board meeting, Santa Fe, 8:30 a.m.
Tues. Apr. 23NEW! Chaves County District VI meeting
Wed. Apr. 24NEW! Quay County District IV meeting
Thurs. Apr. 25NEW! San Miguel County District II meeting
Thurs. May 2-3NMAC Executive Committee & Board meetings, Guadalupe County
National Events:
Sat. Mar. 2-6 NACo Legislative Conference, Washington DC
Wed. May 22-24NACo WIR Conference, Flagstaff, AZ
Fri. July 19-22NACo Annual Conference, Fort Worth, TX