Education & Training

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Workshops & Educational Materials for County Elected Officials & Staff – Created by NACO’s Committee of the Emeritus

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) – A comprehensive overview of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (P.L. 117-58), also referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Providing guidance on how counties can access BIL funding opportunities. – April 8, 2022

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Overview – Jessica Jennings, Legislative Director for Transportation and Infrastructure, National Association of Counties (NACo)

State Grants for Wastewater and Drinking Water Systems – Jason Cooper, Office of Financial Assistance and Sheryl Fontaine, Chief-Bureau of Administrative Services, Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP)

Navigating Federal Funding Opportunities: A Nevada Perspective – Miles Dickson, President and Founder, Nevada GrantLab

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) – A comprehensive guide to direct ARPA funding to local governments. A detailed look at planning and implementing federal relief dollars. – August 6, 2021

Detailed Overview of US Treasury Guidance and Uses of Funds– Eryn Hurley, Associate Legislative Director, National Association of Counties (NACo)

Advice on What Could Go into a Local ARPA Plan and Planning Process – S. Andrew Belknap, Senior Vice President, Management Partners

An on the Ground Example – Nancy Paulson, Carson City Manager

Oversight of Public Defenders in Nevada – How the New State Office of Indigent Defense Services Will Work – October 16, 2020

Counties and Indigent Defense – A look at how the Board interacts with counties -Dave Mendiola, Humboldt County Manager

Nevada Department of Indigent Services – An overview of the new state office, resources for counties and public defender oversight in Nevada – Marcie Ryba, Executive Director, Nevada Department of Indigent Defense Services

Indigent Defense Regulation – An overview of the proposed standards for indigent defense delivery in Nevada – Jarrod Hickman, Deputy Director, Department of Indigent Defense Services  

State Oversight and Local Implementation – Working with contract public defenders – Lorina Dellinger , Assistant County Manager, Nye County

How & Why to Write a County Water Resources Plan – A detailed overview of why your county needs one & including it in your county’s master plan. – February 7, 2020

Nevada Population Projection – Jeff Hardcastle; Demographer, State of Nevada

Nevada Water Planning & Drought Resiliency – Bunny Bishop; Chief, Water Planning-Nevada Division of Water Resources

What you Need to Know – A detailed overview, by bill, of changes counties need to make as a result of laws passed in the 2019 Nevada Legislature – December 6, 2019

A Review of NACO’s Legislative Agenda and Increased Flexibility for Counties – A Discussion on the Outcome of NACO’s Legislative Agenda and Other Updates to County Business – Mr. Vinson Guthreau, Deputy Director, NACO

How and Why to Write a County Natural Resources and Public Lands Plan – July 20, 2018

How a Natural Resources & Public Lands Plan Can Benefit your County – Kimberly Jenkins, Clark County Desert Conservation Program Kimberley.Jenkins@clarkcountynv.gov  (702)455-5529

Eureka County Coordination Overview and Federal and State planning requirements – Jake Tibbits, Eureka County jtibbitts@eurekacountynv.gov  (775)237-6010

A Federal Agency Perspective – 2012 Planning Rule Agency Participation Overview – Cheva Gabor, US Forest Service chevalgabor@fs.fed.us (775)224-2777

How to Write a Public Lands & Natural Resources Plan – Utah’s 29 County Resource Management Plans – Brianne Emery, State of Utah brianneemery@utah.gov (801)537-9844

How a Bill Becomes a Law in Nevada – April 6, 2018

The Legislative Process – Michael Stewart, Legislative Counsel Bureau (LCB)

Where’s the Money? Understanding County Tax Revenues – February 2, 2018

Overview of County Revenue Sources – Alan Kalt, CFO POOL/PACT

Property Tax in Nevada – Kathy Lewis, Douglas County Clerk/Treasurer

C-Tax Distribution – Nevada Department of Taxation

How Net Proceeds of Minerals Works – Nevada Department of Taxation

Understanding Medicaid – December 1, 2017

Medicaid Eligibility, Division of Healthcare, Finance & Policy Programs – Nevada Department of Health & Human Services

The County’s Roll in Medicaid Programs – Ken Retterath, Washoe County Human Services

Understanding Public Lands Laws – September 9, 2016

Understanding the National Environmental Policy & Endangered Species Acts

NEPA Table of Contents

Using Social Media – June 20, 2016

Very Public Tools for Very Public Service – Todd Felts, Associate Professor UNR Reynolds School & Center for Advanced Media Studies

Douglas County Social Media Policy

Understanding County Finances – March 9, 2016

How Counties Receive Revenue – Washoe County Treasurer, Tammi Davis
The County Budget Process – Lyon County Comptoller, Josh Foli
Forecasting County Revenue – Terry Rubald, Nevada Department of Taxation

NACO Annual Conference Presentations

2021 Annual Conference Presentations

2020 Annual Conference Presentations

2019 Annual Conference Presentations

2018 Annual Conference Presentations

2017 Annual Conference Presentations

2016 Annual Conference Presentations

Use of Functional Home Rule Authority by Counties

During the 2015 session of the Nevada Legislature, Senate Bill 29 became law.  SB29 grants counties limited functional home rule, that is, a limited form of the authority to pass ordinances and act upon matters of local concern that are not otherwise governed by state or federal laws.  Local governments in Nevada sought this additional home rule authority so that administrative matters of local concern that are not expressly authorized in state law, matters that are often minor or jurisdictionally specific, can be addressed at the local level without seeking legislation.  SB29 clearly limits this new grant of county authority by making it clear that it does not include additional powers in certain areas and that State and federal laws always take precedence.  Pursuant to SB29 NACO submitted a Report  to the Legislature regarding home rule in January 2017.
Between June 2015 and January 2017 the following home rule actions were taken by counties in Nevada:

Certified Public Official Program

The Certified Public Official Program was designed to provide broad resources for educational and professional development, responsive to the needs of Nevada’s elected and appointed officials in public office. Intended for individuals appointed or elected into any public office at the municipal, county or school board level, the certificate program offers a comprehensive set of courses, including the introductory P.O.W.E.R. Orientation Program. To obtain the CPO designation, participants must complete the P.O.W.E.R. Orientation Program (Parts I & II) in addition to 30 additional course units in various areas. A total of approximately 80 class hours is required for your CPO.

The University of Nevada, Reno’s Extended Studies, created this program in partnership with the Nevada Association of Counties, Nevada League of Cities and Municipalities, and Nevada Association of School Boards. Public Official Workshops: Education & Resources is offered in conjunction with the NACO Annual Conference.

Participants benefit from a range of topics that help them acquire and maintain the skills specific to the demands of public office. Completion of the entire program leads to the designation of Certified Public Official (CPO). To obtain a certified public official designation, participants must complete 40 course units (approximately 80 class hours).

For more information visit Extended Studies
or contact: Shannon Harris, Professional Development Programs
Extended Studies, Mailstop 048
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno, NV 89557
(775) 784-4046 or 1-800-233-8928
E-mail: shannonharris@unr.edu