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CSA Weekly Update (10.30.2026)

Oct 29
6 min read

Updated: Oct 30

On the October 30th, 2026, edition of the CSA Update:


Pima County Administrator: Congratulations Carmine DeBonis!


The Association would like to extend congratulations to Carmine DeBonis, who has been selected as the new Pima County Administrator! DeBonis, previous serving as the Deputy County Administrator, was appointed to the position unanimously by the Pima County Board of Supervisors. Beginning his career with Pima County as an intern, he has 35 years of county government under his belt. He will officially take over the position on January 8th, 2027, following the retirement of Pima County Administrator Jan Lesher.


To learn more about the new County Administrator and the appointment process, please see this Tucson Sentinel article: here.


Creatures of Statute: Are We Already in a Downturn?


Join us as we explore Arizona’s economic outlook with Jim Rounds, President and CEO of Rounds Consulting Group. We discuss whether Arizona may already be experiencing an economic downturn, what current economic trends could mean for the state’s budget, and how workforce shortages, population growth, housing affordability, and water constraints could shape Arizona’s future. We also examine the role of economic development and infrastructure investment in supporting long-term growth, along with what state policymakers should consider as they navigate an uncertain fiscal environment.



Energy & Data Center Learning Series: Securing Strong Community Benefits


This week, the Association partnered with Local First to hear from experts regarding Community Benefit Agreements in the energy siting process. Presenters included: Chris Pasterz, Executive Director of Real AZ Partners as well as the Economic Development Director of Navajo County, Jamie Sechrist, Executive Director of the Gila Community Foundation in New Mexico, and Sarah Friedman, Co-Founder of the Better Data Center Project. This session gave attendees helpful perspectives on the importance of navigating this new horizon with their communities at the forefront.


Miss the meeting? You can find the full recording of this session, as well as previous Learning Series on our YouTube, by clicking here.


NACo: Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) 101


The PILT program helps counties offset lost property tax revenue from federally owned, tax-exempt lands. Even though these lands generate no local property taxes, counties are still responsible for essential services like education, law enforcement, search and rescue, firefighting, parks and recreation, and other community programs. PILT provides tens of millions to Arizona every year. For many counties, their limited tax base makes PILT funding a critical part of maintaining local services and infrastructure.


  • Hear from supervisors across the nation, including Yavapai County Supervisor Nikki Check, break down PILT in NACo's PILT 101 video: here.

  • To learn more about counties relationship with public lands, please visit our website: here.

  • To see a more comprehensive outline of Arizona FY 2025 PILT funds, and additional PILT information, please click: here.



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 4th through 11th, 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.


To see an interactive map of participating counties, please click here.



Lifelong Learning: Upcoming NACo Webinars


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

Monday, November 2, 2026 | 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. ET


On September 30th, the U.S. Senate released the text of the bipartisan permitting reform bill, the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act. This legislation contains several policy wins for counties such as codifying counties status as cooperating agencies for NEPA reviews. 

Join NACo staff to learn more about how this bill would modernize the federal permitting process, reduce unnecessary delays, accelerate project delivery and ensure local expertise is incorporated into federal decision-making.


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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