Talk of the County Podcast | Behind the Scenes of NACo's Annual DC LegCon with Commissioners Denise Winfrey and John O'Grady

This episode was recorded in Washington, D.C. at the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference.Kenneth Wilson is joined by Commissioner Denise Winfrey and Commissioner John O'Grady to discuss the vital yet often understated role of county governments. Commissioner Winfrey, representing Will County, Illinois, and the immediate past president of the National Association of Counties (NACo), shares her experiences and the importance of counties in providing day-to-day services.Commissioner Winfrey emphasizes how counties are key in attracting and retaining a talented workforce by offering competitive benefits through payroll system portals. She points out the leverage that counties have in negotiating favorable rates for essential services like insurance, as well as perks such as travel deals. She also sheds light on her intensive travel schedule and responsibilities during her tenure as NACo president, which involved a significant amount of remote work and fostering important relationships with federal administration in Washington, D.C.The conversation then turns to the common public oversight of the roles of county commissioners. Despite their critical function in managing various essential services, such as health departments, judicial systems, police services, and more, they are often overshadowed by mayoral and other high-profile positions. Public Service Impact: "But it's the work we do, the work that our employees all do. It's it it touches everyone's lives day in and day out." — Commissioner John O'GradyThe conversation shifts its focus to the economic and cultural characteristics that define Will County, Illinois. As a rapidly growing county with a population of about 700,000, it boasts an inland port and a significant intermodal presence, along with warehouses and bustling river activities. Cultural elements are also highlighted, including the county's historical significance, as seen with locations like the old Joliet Prison featured in the Blues Brothers movie. Furthermore, the county's dining scene is a testament to its cultural diversity, offering an array of cuisines that reflect the mosaic of its population.Kenneth Wilson compares the similarities and differences between the food scenes of Franklin County, Ohio and the greater Chicago area, acknowledging the intricacies of each locality's culinary landscape. Commissioner Winfrey remarks on her significant contributions to NACo, particularly her efforts in convening commissions that focus on relevant issues like housing affordability, mental health, and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on county operations. A notable project she mentions is the AI-generated children’s book about counties set to be distributed in libraries, which underwent a rigorous process to ensure it was representative and free from bias.The Integration of AI in Everyday Life: "Because what some people aren't aware of is that AI is already here. We're already using it, have been for quite some time. It's just now we're looking at generative AI differently." — Commissioner Denise WinfreyThey further explore how counties can utilize AI to automate redundant tasks, leading to a more efficient delivery of services, though they caution that human oversight remains imperative. The commissioners and Kenneth Wilson agree on the value of NACo's role in bringing together various voices to share best practices, advocate at the federal level, and provide leadership training programs like the High Performance Leadership Academy.In recognition of their unique responsibilities, the guests discuss the county's instrumental role during the pandemic — from setting up daily administrative calls and monthly health updates to addressing needs such as maintaining roads, ensuring food access, and managing facilities like nursing homes. They highlight how various initiatives, from drug and veterans courts to tackling issues like gun violence and racism, stem from cooperative ideas shared among counties. Progress tracking after policy implementation is another key aspect underscored.As the episode ends, Commissioner Winfrey and Commissioner O'Grady encapsulate the purview of county commissioners' responsibilities, their pivotal role in community service, and the challenges faced when taking mandatory but sometimes unpopular decisions. Top Takeaways1. **The Value of County Workforces**: Commissioner Winfrey stresses the importance of offering competitive benefits to attract and retain highly skilled workers in county governments, leveraging collective bargaining to secure favorable rates for county employees.2. **Underappreciated Role of County Commissioners**: Commissioners Winfrey and O'Grady discuss the significant yet often overlooked role of county commissioners in managing day-to-day essential services for residents, such as healthcare, justice systems, and infrastructure maintenance.3. **Convening Power of County Government**: County governments have a unique ability to convene diverse stakeholders and coordinate responses to community needs, as evidenced by daily administrative calls during the pandemic.4. **Leadership in Public Health Crises**: The pandemic highlighted the leadership role of county commissioners, who took charge of critical decisions such as mask mandates and addressing racism as a public health crisis.5. **Cross-County Collaboration and Networking**: Participation in organizations like NACo facilitates the sharing of ideas and best practices among counties, leading to innovative solutions like drug and veterans courts adapted from other jurisdictions.6. **Efficiency through Technology**: The AI commission focuses on the integration of artificial intelligence to improve county operations, aiming to automate repetitive tasks while ensuring oversight and maintaining the human touch in service delivery.7. **Progress Tracked Through Initiatives**: After implementing policy actions such as those addressing gun violence, county governments are tasked with tracking the impact and measuring success to ensure meaningful progress.8. **NACo's Role in Advocacy and Support**: NACo assists counties by offering services like the NACo Edge program, which helps counties achieve efficiencies, leverage buying power, and provide leadership training.9. **Shared Experiences Enhance Learning**: The social and networking aspects of NACo meetings, including attending mental health crisis centers, underscore the importance of shared experiences in improving county governance practices and enhancing personal connections among commissioners.Memorable Moments08:46 President convenes commissions, influencing housing and technology.11:22 Book on counties written in Dr. Seuss style.14:23 Committees aim for diverse representation and collaboration.17:51 County leverages size to offer employee benefits.24:11 Commissioner reflects on county services' impact.27:23 City addresses gun violence with a coordinated effort.32:11 Requesting mask mandates, convening conversations on issues.38:40 NACo connects and informs on mental [email protected] 2026 Franklin County Board of Commissioners Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/tropicanaLicense code: 6VVAVEFBZTQOL3AW