Washington, D.C. — Nearly 2,000 county leaders gathered in Washington, D.C., from March 1-4 for the National Association of Counties (NACo) 2025 Legislative Conference. This annual conference offers a unique opportunity for elected and appointed county officials to engage in important policy discussions, meet with federal leaders, and strengthen partnerships that will help counties address critical issues. North Carolina’s county officials played an active role in the discussions and sessions, contributing to the broader dialogue on federal policy issues that directly impact local governments and residents.
“Attending the NACo Legislative Conference allows North Carolina’s county officials to engage directly with federal leaders and advocate for policies that address local challenges. It’s an essential opportunity to strengthen partnerships and ensure our communities have the resources they need,” said NCACC President and Warren County Commissioner Tare “T.” Davis.
County officials discussed a wide range of topics, including workforce gaps, land use and zoning, disaster response and preparedness, intergovernmental partnerships, federal regulations; and future of artificial intelligence (AI). The conference featured sessions with national experts and policymakers to explore how counties can better navigate these challenges while also ensuring the needs of local communities are met. Key federal partners, including members of Congress and the new presidential administration, were present to hear directly from county officials about their priorities.
North Carolina county officials actively contributed to several key policy discussions at NACo:
- NACo Second Vice President and Mecklenburg County Commissioner George Dunlap and NACo Board Member and Brunswick County Commissioner Frank Williams — both members of NACo’s Intergovernmental Disaster Reform Task Force — discussed the role of county governments in disaster recovery and recommendations for reform with Alex Meyer, Director of White House Intergovernmental Affairs.
- Commissioner Frank Williams also chaired the NACo Resilient Counties Advisory Board breakfast.
- Durham County Director of Elections Derek Bowens spoke at the IT Standing FutureTech Subcommittee Joint Meeting, which brought together county IT leaders to explore topics such as artificial intelligence, cloud adoption, data governance, and cybersecurity.
- Forsyth County Attorney Gordon Watkins presided over the National Association of Civil County Attorneys meeting.
- Mecklenburg County Commissioner Susan Rodriguez-McDowell presented proposed policy resolutions during the Human Services and Education Policy Steering Committee meeting.
- Pitt County Deputy County Manager and Chief Information Officer Michael Taylor presented at the CIO Speed Sharing Session, where he shared insights and best practices on leveraging technology to improve local government operations.
- Wake County Commissioner Shinica Thomas and Wake County Chief Information Officer Jonathan Feldman participated in the Telecommunications and Technology Policy Steering Committee Meeting, focusing on issues such as broadband access and affordability, emergency communications, local cybersecurity funding, and more. Commissioner Thomas led a policy discussion on broadband access, while Feldman presented on the Wake County Digital Inclusion Project.
- Commissioner Shinica Thomas also discussed emerging developments in artificial intelligence and policy considerations for local government alongside Fred Humphries, corporate vice president for U.S. government affairs at Microsoft. Commissioner Thomas was invited to help lead the general session discussion because of her contributions to a year-long project as a member of NACo’s Artificial Intelligence Exploratory Committee. The AI Exploratory Committee produced a toolkit designed for use by local governments and tailored specifically for counties. Read more about the general session here.
One of the unique opportunities at the conference was the Federal Agency Expo, which brought more than 100 federal officials from various agencies together in one location to engage directly with county officials. This event allowed North Carolina’s county leaders to connect with federal agencies that play a role in their communities, ensuring that federal programs and resources align with local needs. The conference also included a Capitol Hill press conference on disaster reform, emphasizing the need for better disaster preparedness and recovery efforts.
In addition to these opportunities, North Carolina’s delegation participated in the North Carolina Caucus event and met with Senators Tillis and Budd to further advocate for policies benefiting local communities. These discussions highlighted the importance of collaboration between counties, federal officials, and national experts. The NACo 2025 Legislative Conference underscored this collaboration, with North Carolina’s participation of more than 175 attendees further reinforcing the state’s commitment to advocating for policies that enhance the quality of life for its residents.
For more information about the NCACC, please visit www.ncacc.org.
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