County Conversations

In New York State 8,000 people are waiting for a life-saving organ donation, and 1,100 people have been waiting for 5 years or more.  This episode features a conversation on how counties and local municipalities can raise awareness about organ, eye, and tissue donation. Joining NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce-Nimz is Aisha Tator, Executive Director at Donate Life New York State, as well...

This episode highlights National Public Health Week and the workforce and services local health departments provide to keep New York State communities healthy and safe. Joining NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce-Nimz is Sarah Ravenhall, Executive Director of the New York State Association of County Health Officials (NYSACHO).

This episode features a briefing for county leaders on the status of the New York state executive budget,  items of concern for local governments, and opportunities for continued advocacy. NYSAC’s Executive Director Stephen Acquario leads the briefing, and is accompanied by NYSAC’s Legislative Director Ryan Gregoire, and Deputy Director Mark LaVigne.

In this episode of County Conversations, we discuss one of the biggest issues facing counties in this year's budget - the governor's proposal to shift $625 million in Medicaid costs onto counties by ending the sharing of federal eFMAP payments. For more information, be sure to visit CostShiftCountdown.com Joining NYSAC's Communications Manager Tom Oldfather for the conversation is NYSAC Legislativ...

This episode analyzes a proposal in Governor Hochul’s recently released 2024 Executive Budget that would end the longstanding practice of sharing federal Medicaid funding with counties. This unprecedented state policy shift would require local taxpayers to pay up to $1 billion in new Medicaid costs by pocketing Enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Program (eFMAP) funds that were earmarked to go dir...

This episode features a conversation with Assemblyman Fred Thiele, who represents the 1st assembly district and also serves as the Chairman of the Assembly Local Governments Committee. NYSAC’s Legislative Director Ryan Gregoire and Assemblyman Thiele discuss what’s in store for the 2023 legislative session and SFY 24 state budget, as well as fostering relationships with newly elected legislators a...

In this episode,  NYSAC Counsel Patrick Cummings talks with Patricia Warth, Director of the New York State Office of Indigent Legal Services about the county role in ensuring every New Yorker has an adequate legal defense. They also discuss one of NYSAC’s top priorities for 2023 Legislative Session – securing state funding for any increase in hourly pay rates for 18-b indigent defense attorneys. O...

For our first episode of the new year, NYSAC’s Executive Director Stephen Acquario is joined by Joseph Rulison, CEO and Co-Founder of three + one . This episode provide a financial outlook for county leaders, and predictions on short-term interest rates and inflation as we head into 2023. Our thanks at NYSAC go to our sponsor, NY MuniTrust

This episode features a panel discussion from a recent webinar NYSAC hosted on “How to Modernize Your County’s Annual Budget Process,” by increasing the efficiency of collecting requests, creating budgets, and communicating with internal and external stakeholders. This webinar provided an opportunity to introduce our new strategic partner ClearGov and its powerful, easy-to-use Budget Cycle Managem...

This episode features a conversation on Saratoga County’s EMT Career Pathway Pilot Program. Designed as a first step in filling a need for future and current first responders, the program is a community-based collaboration for high school students.  NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce-Nimz is joined by Jenniffer McCloskey, Director of Saratoga County’s Employment and Training Department. Our...

This episode features a conversation with NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce-Nimz and Michael Zurlo, Clinton County Administrator and President of NYSAC. We’ll hear about his path to county government leadership, the unique community of Clinton County in New York’s north country, and what’s in store for his presidential term at the Association.

As we’re coming up to the end of the year, this episode features a recap of county advocacy and achievements over the span of 2022, and what’s on the horizon heading into 2023. NYSAC’s Legislative Director Ryan Gregoire joins Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce-Nimz to discuss outcomes from federal and state elections, key outcomes from this past legislative session, and NYSAC’s top priorities for c...

We have so much to be thankful for at NYSAC, especially our membership of dedicated county officials across the state of New York. This episode features some familiar voices from our staff, as we detail what we are each grateful for this year. Happy Thanksgiving to the county family, and best wishes throughout this holiday season.

Last week voters passed the Clean Air, Clean Water and Green Jobs Bond Act. The bond act will fund flood reduction, wastewater and stormwater upgrades, park preservation, and green infrastructure and renewable energy projects to fight climate change. In light of this historic investment, we've revisited a conversation held earlier this year with NYSAC's Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce-Nimz and J...

This episode features a conversation on fraud identification and scam prevention. Joining NYSAC’s Deputy Director Mark LaVigne is Jen Martin, Head of Enterprise Fraud Services at KeyBank. Jen gives an overview of new forms of financial fraud county leaders should be aware of, and she provides tips for county and financial services leaders in the challenging task of protection.

This episode highlights Operation Green Light, an initiative that raises awareness for the challenges faced by veterans and the resources that are available at the county, state, and federal level to assist veterans and their families. Joining NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce-Nimz is NYSAC’s Legislative Director Ryan Gregoire, and Rachel Mackey, the National Association of Counties (NACo)...

This episode features a conversation on how Otsego County leverages financial data provided by three+one to manage liquidity and investments, increase revenue, and make decisions in the best interest of public funds. NYSAC’s Deputy Director Mark LaVigne introduces Garrett Macdonald, Senior Vice President of three+one, and Allen Ruffles, Treasurer and CFO of Otsego County.

This episode features a conversation with the Chair of NYSAC’s Climate Action Standing Committee on advocacy and climate change mitigation efforts at the state and local level. Heather Brown, Sullivan County Deputy Planning Commissioner, joins NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce-Nimz to discuss the Resilient New York Revolving Loan Program, The Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environme...

To raise awareness and help counties learn from the cyber attack in Suffolk County, NYSAC recently convened a briefing for more than 100 county officials from across the state. This episode features presentations from Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, and Lisa Black, Chief Deputy County Executive and Unified Commander of Suffolk County’s Cyber Response Team, as they discuss a timeline of eve...

Over 600 county officials from throughout New York State convened in Erie County for NYSAC’s 2022 Fall Seminar in September. This episode features interviews from the conference on the work accomplished, and a look ahead to the upcoming year of county advocacy. In this episode you will hear from Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, NYSAC President Michael Zurlo, Lieutenant  Governor Antonio Delga...

This episode features a conversation on a new county dashboard that helps residents and visitors locate and utilize electric vehicle charging stations, and how the expansion of EV infrastructure will benefit the Mohawk Valley. Joining NYSAC’s Communications Manager Tom Oldfather for the conversation is Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente.

In recognition of National Workforce Development Month, this episode focuses on the state of New York State’s workforce and highlights training programs and workforce initiatives for county and municipal employers. Joining NYSAC’s Communications Manager Tom Oldfather for the conversation is Melinda Mack, Executive Director of the New York Association of Training and Employment Professionals (NYATE...

This episode features a conversation on the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement No. 87. GASB 87 was adopted to improve the relevance and consistency of financial reporting of government leasing activities. NYSAC’s Deputy Director Mark LaVigne is joined for the conversation by Tim Doyle, a partner in The Bonadio Group’s Government, Compliance, and Labor Division. The Bonadio Gr...

This episode features a conversation on efforts underway in Erie County to address the opioid epidemic, and the status of the statewide opioid settlement fund advisory board. Joining NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce-Nimz is Cheryll Moore, Medical Care Administrator, and director of the Erie County Department of Health Opioid Program. Our thanks at NYSAC go to our sponsor, Aetna .

This episode focuses on Thrive Livingston, the County’s Rural Anti-Poverty Plan, a strategy tool to focus resources on combatting social, cultural, economic, and environmental challenges facing residents of its rural community. Livingston County created Thrive Livingston in 2017, and was recently  recognized by the International City/County Management Association as the recipient of the organizati...