County Conversations

This episode features a conversation on county cybersecurity and how be prepared for a cyber incident within your organization. NYSAC, in collaboration with the Center for Technology in Government at the SUNY Albany, published a Cybersecurity Primer for Local Government Leaders earlier this year. As discussed in this episode, the Primer is geared for all the non-technical leaders within a county t...

Today’s episode features a presentation on solutions for employee prescription benefits. We’ll hear from Erison Rodriguez, Chief Growth Officer at ProAct, a pharmacy benefit management company based out of New York State, in Syracuse. ProAct has partnered with NYSAC for many years, and we are happy to discuss opportunities counties have to save money on their overall health insurance coverage with...

This episode features a conversation on Suffolk County’s wellness e-newsletter, and what self-care can look like and how it can be fostered in the county workplace. Joining NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce-Nimz is Portia Ingram, Director of Smart Start Suffolk. In the most recent issue of NYSAC News Magazine, Portia wrote an article on the wellness newsletter, which you can read by visiti...

This episode features a conversation on how county employers can support working caregivers – people in the workforce who also provide in-home monitoring, management, supervision, or treatment to another person with a special need. Family, friends, and neighbors play a central role in assisting older adults and individuals of all ages with varying abilities to complete tasks and help them maintain...

This episode features a conversation on Tilly Foster Farm , a county-owned facility where visitors can enjoy animals, picnicking, gardening, hiking, fishing and cross-country skiing opportunities. The garden produces  enough to serve Tilly’s Table - the restaurant located on the farm, as well as senior citizens who lunch at one of the county’s Friendship Centers, and a farm stand that is open to t...

This episode features a conversation on a new county initiative that aims to keep local college graduates in the area after graduation. The program is called Rochester Emerging Talent and Innovation Network or RETAIN. The RETAIN program offers recent graduates a $2,000 lump sum payment after having lived, worked, and networked in Monroe County for at least one year. Joining NYSAC Multimedia Specia...

This episode features a conversation on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and legislation establishing a carpet stewardship program. We discuss the benefits of product stewardship for the environment, local governments, and taxpayers, and what the timeline for the carpet EPR program will look like. Joining NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce-Nimz is Resa Dimino, Managing Principal at Re...

This episode features a conversation on the $4.2 billion Clean Air, Clean Water, and Green Jobs Bond Act and how it could provide long-term and dedicated funding for New York to prepare for the impacts of climate change and invest in restoring wildlife habitats. Joining NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce-Nimz is Jessica Ottney Mahar, Director of Policy & Strategy at The Nature Conservancy ....

This episode features a conversation on mental health and the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Joining Ryan Gregoire, NYSAC Legislative Director, is Kathy Coons, Commissioner of Mental Health in Rensselaer County and past president of the NYS Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors. NYSAC thanks our sponsor, ProAc t.

This episode features a conversation on the conclusion of the 2022 State Legislative Session. NYSAC’s Legislative Director Ryan Gregoire and Director of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs Dave Lucas discuss the main takeaways for county leaders, and what’s in store for legislative advocacy going forward. Our thanks to NYSAC's sponsor NYSTEC.

This episode features a conversation on the Broome County Purchasing Alliance, a shared service model that brings high quality Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug (MAPD) retiree health benefits to participating entities. In 2021, the Alliance generated $9.1 million dollars in premium savings to qualifying participating public entities with several counties achieving a projected 3-year savings...

This episode features a conversation on Schenectady County’s Public Health Services newly launched Tickborne Illness Prevention Dashboard . The online dashboard includes information on how to prevent tick bites and tickborne diseases, as well as the prevalence of ticks and risk of illness by season. Joining NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce is Claire Proffitt, Deputy Director of Schenectad...

This episode features a conversation on financial sector predictions for county leaders for the remainder of the year, and how liquidity asset management can help maximize county revenues. Joining NYSAC’s Executive Director Stephen Acquario is Joseph Rulison, CEO and Co-Founder of three+one. Three+one is also a featured sponsor of NYSAC’s upcoming County Finance School in Syracuse, NY.

In recognition of National County Government Month, this episode features a conversation on the experience of former county government officials who went on to serve in the state legislature. NYSAC’s Legislative Director Ryan Gregoire is joined by Assemblymember Dr. Anna Kelles and Assemblymember Billy Jones.

Every year following the passage of the final enacted state budget, the NYSAC Legislative Team combs through budget and identifies areas that will impact a range of county functions, departments, services, and programs. NYSAC’s Communications Manager Tom Oldfather hosts this conversation with the legislative team members Ryan Gregoire, Dave Lucas, Alexandra LaMonte, and Patrick Cummings. Visit htt...

This episode highlights National Donate Life Month and efforts to raise awareness about organ, eye and tissue donation, as well as the critical need for increased donor registration in New York State. Joining NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce for the conversation are Aisha Tator, Executive Director or Donate Life NYS, along with Saratoga County Clerk Craig Hayner. Make sure to visit donate...

This episode focuses on NYSAC’s County Government Institute, and the value of education and training for county leaders. The CGI program is a collaboration between NYSAC and Cornell University that provides training to county leaders on topics including building consensus, financial management, ethics, and the foundations of county government. Empowering county leaders to engage in civil and const...

This episode features a conversation on the Museum of Wayne County History and their new “Remember Our Ladies” exhibit that highlights notable women from the county. We also talk about engaging your community in local history, the upcoming bicentennial celebrations being planned in Wayne County, and even a few ghost stories from the museum. NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce is joined by Rh...

This episode features county leaders from across the state at the annual NYSAC Legislative Conference in Albany. These leaders discuss top priorities for counties this legislative session, state budget advocacy, and the impact of diverting local sales taxes out of local communities. We are grateful to the following leaders for joining us for this episode: NYSAC Executive Director Stephen Acquario...

In this episode we discuss air purification and how counties can continue to provide safe work environments. Joining NYSAC’s Executive Director Stephen Acquario for the conversation is Vinny Lobdell, HealthWay Family of Brand's® Global President. Vinny gives insight into the solutions his company has been providing to many since 2003, and he explains how his family's business successfully operated...

This episode features a discussion on a recent Rockefeller Institute of Government report commissioned by the New York State Industries for the Disabled and the NY Alliance for Inclusion & Innovation. The report includes a breakdown of the economic impact of 10 regions where NYSID Member Agencies provide employment to individuals with disabilities. The findings clearly show that disability service...

This episode features a conversation on ways to foster diversity in the county workforce and the role of the Chief Equity and Diversity Officer in working with stakeholders from across the organization to create an inclusive workplace environment. Joining NYSAC’s Multimedia Specialist Kate Pierce is Deanna Carrithers, Chief Equity and Diversity Officer with Tompkins County.

In this episode we discuss a top priority for counties this legislative session, eliminating the diversion of local sales taxes to fund state programs. Joining NYSAC’s Communications Manager Tom Oldfather is Ryan Gregoire, NYSAC’s Legislative Director, and Dave Lucas, Director of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs. To learn more about the priorities ahead for NYSAC this legislative session, be...

NYSAC recently provided testimony to state lawmakers during the Joint Legislative Hearing on Local Government. The local government hearing is one in a series of joint senate and assembly legislative hearings to gather feedback on the Governor's proposed state budget, and offers elected officials and representatives of local governments an opportunity to brief lawmakers on the challenges they face...

This episode features a conversation on cybersecurity and how local government leaders can be prepared for a cyber incident within your organization. NYSAC, in collaboration with the Center for Technology in Government at the SUNY Albany, recently published a Cybersecurity Primer for Local Government Leaders . As discussed in this episode, the Primer is geared for all the non-technical leaders wit...