NACO executive director outlines state bills and county resources to Gage County supervisors

John Cannon, executive director of the Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO), addressed the Gage County Board on June 10 to describe membership resources and to summarize key legislation from the recent session that affects county operations.

Cannon said NACO provides training and tools — including county workshops, a county-explorer data sheet for Gage County, and shared services such as MIPS software and a health-insurance pool — and encouraged board members to bring local ideas to the NACO legislative conference. He described the association as an intergovernmental partner that helps counties with budgeting, planning, and legislative advocacy.

On legislation, Cannon highlighted several bills. He said LB596 changed open-meeting notice requirements and included multiple provisions added by amendment (including fee changes and modernization of record-keeping to allow accessible digital formats such as PDF/A). He described LB663 as establishing a “shot clock” and a new standard of review for certain zoning decisions (90-day decision windows and a clearer standard for judicial appeals) and said the bill will be effective in mid-July. Cannon also summarized smaller administrative and fee changes in other bills and noted work NACO is doing to help counties implement them.

Board members asked specific questions about how valuation notices and the planned change-evaluation postcard will present tax effects to residents; Cannon and other NACO representatives discussed options to make the notices more informative and urged the board to drive citizens to budget hearings as the primary venue to influence tax bills.

Cannon encouraged counties to use NACO resources — legislative primers, templates for public outreach, and software tools — and invited board members to contact him with questions. He also reviewed the association’s education schedule and upcoming conferences that counties may find useful.