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CSA Weekly Update (10.23.2026)

4 hours ago
6 min read

On the October 23rd, 2026, edition of the CSA Update:


Upcoming Legislative Study Committee: Secure State Mental Health Facilities

With the passage of HB 2307: dangerous incompetent defendants; study committee (Biasiucci) in the 2026 legislative session, a new legislative study committee has been formed. This study committee's end goal will be to make recommendations regarding the long-term feasibility of Secure State Mental Health Facilities and other care models, and is set to have its first meeting in November. To see the committees full purpose list and membership, please click: here.



Creatures of Statute: Arizona's October Budget Update


In this episode, we break down Arizona’s fiscal outlook following the October meeting of the Finance Advisory Committee (FAC). We discuss updated revenue and spending projections, emerging budget pressures, and what the latest numbers could mean as lawmakers prepare for the upcoming legislative session.



We also explore key state agency budget requests and their potential implications for counties, including county ALTCS contributions, probation funding, and childcare funding.


View the FAC meeting materials here.






Energy & Data Center Learning Series: The Developers Perspective


This week, the Association, in partnership with Local First, continued its Energy & Data Center Learning Series. This installment focused on the developer's perspective, and attendees were able to hear from Chris Menges, Program Director of Siting and Permitting at Interwest Energy Alliance, Jen Bradford, Senior Director of Development at Triple Oak Power, and Kirk Busch, Founder of the Arizona Data Center Alliance about their roles in this process.


Miss the meeting? Look out for the full video, which will be uploaded to the Association's YouTube Page.



We Are Counties: Elections


In 36 states, county governments are primarily responsible for administering elections, and we share the job with cities and towns in six more states. Our work touches every step of the process, from registering voters and preparing ballots to running polling places on Election Day as well as canvassing and certifying results. Watch to learn how county election officials work year-round so every eligible voter can be heard: https://youtu.be/2VFrcNQTRvc?si=1DSHVnYdkl1vTRl5


NACo Leadership Academy: July 2026 Graduates


The Association congratulates all county supervisors and staff who took the initiative to invest in themselves as well as their counties by participating and graduating from the NACo Leadership Academy! You can find an official announcement from NACo, which includes the names of each graduate: here.


Interested in the NACo Leadership Academy? Enrollment is open for the January 2027 cohort! Click here to learn more or enroll.



Operation Green Light: This November


Light It Green: Arizona Counties Invited to Join Operation Green Light for Veterans, Nov. 4–11


This Veterans Day, Arizona counties have an easy, visible way to honor the service members who live in their communities. The National Association of Counties (NACo) and the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers are inviting counties nationwide to light their buildings green from November 4 through 11, 2026 as part of Operation Green Light for Veterans.


The idea is simple: a green light tells veterans they are seen, appreciated and supported. But the initiative is about more than a symbol. During the week leading up to Veterans Day, participating counties use the moment to raise awareness of the benefits and services available to veterans and their families, and to call attention to federal policies that support them. That advocacy has paid off. NACo credits Operation Green Light 2024 with helping build momentum for the bipartisan Dole Act, which for the first time authorized federal grant funding for county veteran service officers.

What started with New York counties in 2021 has grown into a national movement, with hundreds of counties and landmarks taking part each year. Participation can be as large or small as your county chooses. Some ideas:


  • Light the courthouse, administration building or other county landmarks green

  • Pass a resolution or proclamation declaring your county’s participation

  • Encourage residents and local businesses to swap a porch or entryway bulb for a green one

  • Share photos on social media using #OperationGreenLight and connect veterans with local resources


NACo has assembled a free toolkit to make it easy, including a resolution template, printable flyer, sample press releases, a letter to the editor, social media posts and graphics. Counties can also submit photos of their participation to be featured nationally.


There’s still time to plan. Visit NACo’s Operation Green Light page for the full toolkit and to share your county’s participation: here.



Lifelong Learning: Upcoming NACo Webinars


Countdown to LUCA: Practical Strategies for Local, Tribal and State Governments

Wednesday, October 28, 2026 | 1 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. ET


The 2030 Census Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) operation may seem distant, but preparation begins well before the official launch in May 2027. Join NACo and the National League of Cities (NLC), in partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau, for the first webinar in a series focused on practical steps communities can take to prepare for effective participation.


LUCA is the only opportunity for local, Tribal and state governments to review and correct the Census Bureau’s residential address list before the census begins, a critical step to ensuring an accurate and complete count. An accurate count directly affects the distribution of federal funding for programs and services for the next decade.  


This webinar will feature Census activities currently underway in rural communities, urban neighborhoods and Tribal Nations. Speakers will demonstrate what effective early preparation looks like, share lessons learned and discuss strategies that leaders can use to improve address data, engage stakeholders and position their communities for a successful LUCA operation.

In addition to highlighting promising practices, the webinar will help lay the groundwork for a peer-to-peer support network where local, Tribal and state leaders can connect, exchange ideas, and provide assistance throughout the LUCA process.


Whether you are new to LUCA or beginning to organize your community's census preparation efforts, this session will provide practical insights and resources to help you get started. 


Speakers:

  • Christopher Ard, Orleans Parish/City of New Orleans, La.

  • Abby Hughes Holsclaw, Arkansas Counts

  • Kelsey Lofton, Texas Census Institute 

  • Brandon Marsh, West Virginia University, Health Affairs Institute 

  • Joseph Salvo, 2030 Census National LUCA Working Group

  • Tribal Nation Representative (TBA)


To register, please click here.


NACo Policy Insider Webinar Series: Understanding in the Federal Landscape for Counties

Thursday, November 5, 2026 | 3:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. ET


Last year's Inside Washington series is now NACo Policy Insider, a bi-weekly webinar offering an overview of the full federal policy landscape impacting counties, as well as deeper dives into specific policy areas, equipping county leaders with insights, context, and strategies to engage effectively on key issues from transportation and infrastructure, to public lands, to health and human services, and more. 


To register, please click here.


Supreme Court Preview for Local Governments: 2025-2026 Term

Monday, November 9, 2026 | 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. ET


Hosted by the Local Government Legal Center (LGLC), join legal experts in a discussion of the new Supreme Court term and what decisions local governments should watch. The Supreme Court will rule on several major cases this term, including issues related to:

  • The intersection of religious exercise and land use / zoning authority

  • Whether the Second Amendment prohibits state and local governments from banning semi-automatic rifles

  • The continued viability of neutral laws of general applicability that may impose burdens on religion

  • Preemption of local government lawsuits seeking damages from oil companies related to climate change

  • Questions about excessive fines and criminal forfeiture law


Speakers:

  • Amanda Karras, Executive Director/General Counsel, International Municipal Lawyers Association

  • Gregory G. Garre, Partner, Latham & Watkins LLP

  • Nadia A. Sarkis, Partner, Miller Barondess LLP


The Local Government Legal Center (LGLC) is a coalition of national local government organizations formed in 2023 by NACo, National League of Cities (NLC) and International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA) to provide education to local governments regarding the Supreme Court and its impact on local governments and local officials and to advocate for local governments at the Supreme Court in appropriate cases. The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) and International City/County Management Association (ICMA) are associate members. Visit the Local Government Legal Center to learn more.


This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Please note that members of the Local Government Legal Center will not provide Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits for participation in or completion of this material


To register, please click here.


Secure & Responsible AI: Building Trust and Cyber Resilience in Local Government

Tuesday, November 10, 2026 | 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. ET


As artificial intelligence transforms how local governments deliver essential services, county leaders face a critical challenge: how can they embrace AI innovation while protecting sensitive data, managing cybersecurity risks, and maintaining public trust?


Join IBM experts and Sunny Hwang, CIO of New Hanover County, N.C., for an insightful discussion on secure and responsible AI adoption in local government. Drawing on real-world experience implementing award-winning AI-powered solutions for human services and emergency response, the panel will explore how counties can balance innovation with effective governance, data protection, and cyber resilience.


Attendees will gain practical perspectives on navigating evolving AI risks, building public confidence, and responsibly leveraging emerging technologies to improve government services.


Speakers

  • Sunny Hwang, Chief Information Officer, New Hanover County, N.C.

  • Jeff Crume, Distinguished Engineer, Master Inventor & Data and AI Security Architect, IBM

  • Romelia Flores, Distinguished Engineer & Master Inventor, Public Market Client Engineering Technical Sales, IBM


To register, please click here.

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