County Management and Structure 

The housing market crash and concomitant recession have left counties across the country struggling to solve fiscal crises. Many people believe that these events mark a turning point in terms of how counties can and should conduct business, creating a “new normal.” This report describes how a select group of counties attempted or are in the process of making structural changes in order to better face current and future challenges.
March 2012

The opportunity for increased efficiency or economic development drives local leaders to consider city-county consolidation as an option for local government reform. This issue brief examines the key components of forming a consolidated government and provides case studies of five localities that attempted consolidation.
February 2012

This update of NACo's Volunteer Toolbox provides information about establishing a county volunteer program, volunteer liability/legal issues, managing a volunteer program and volunteer roles as well as provides resources to counties.
February 2012

This report provides a state by state look at the requirements for counties to redistrict.
January 2012

This publication showcases some of the positive practices being conducted at the county level for children and youth.
December 2011

With the current economic slowdown, declining housing values and revenue shortfalls facing many local governments, bankruptcy is once again a looming issue for many local governments. This issue brief examines the issues that contributed to past local struggles with bankruptcy and the state and local roles in managing such a crisis.
November 2011

This publication showcases some of the positive practices being conducted at the county level during the current tough economic times.
October 2011

This best practices book describes the programs that were recognized with the Best of Category designation for the 2011 Achievement Awards.
June 2011

The National Association of Counties has prepared this pocket guide that shows the steps and rules according to Robert’s Rules of Order.
June 2011

This publication represents a compilation of state laws governing county authority. The broad topic addresses the services counties provide to their residents, their responsibilities, and their duties as outlined by the state.
January 2011

This research brief identifies key finance terms that every county commissioner should be familiar with.
January 2011

When the economy gets tough, people put down their credit cards and pick up their library cards. This issue brief examines the impact that the recent economic downturn has had on county libraries across the nation. People are increasingly reliant on county libraries, yet in many places funding is being cut dramatically.
January 2011

The records management function of county governments and the individuals who perform this task are of major importance to county residents. This issue brief provides an overview of the importance of records management to county governments.
January 2011

This publication represents a compilation of state laws governing public records. Designed to allow access to governmental documents while protecting privacy rights and maintaining public safety, open records statutes vary from state to state. The format of this publication is intended to outline the key aspects of public records laws and facilitate comparisons between each state.
December 2010

This report profiles 10 counties that have used arts and culture programs to enhance their local economic development. Designed to encourage new efforts, this guide will identify the specific goals, background, careful planning and funding that led to these programs becoming successful for their respective counties.
November 2010

NACo’s Research Division has developed this guide to help you decipher the secret code of government.
August 2010

Civility is much more than just behaving politely. This Issue Brief provides an overview of current state of civil dialogue throughout the county and examples of how counties can ensure a civil dialogue during county meetings.
July 2010

This best practices book describes the programs that were recognized with the Best of Category designation for the 2010 Achievement Awards
June 2010

Engaging the public in local decisions is a necessary, but many times challenging step for county governments. This brief is designed to provide county officials with a variety of options available in order to engage residents and garner meaningful citizen input.
June 2010

In counties across the country, finding ways to provide efficient and cost-effective methods of service delivery is a process that routinely lands at the top of priority lists every year. This issue brief provides an overview of the methods of privatization available to counties.
June 2010

This factsheet provides an overiveiw of the history and structure of county government as well as the variety of services these local jurisdictions provide.
June 2010

This factsheet provides a brief overview of county government and interesting facts about counties across the country.
June 2010

This publication showcases some of the positive practices being conducted at the county level during the current tough economic times.
June 2010

Selecting appropriate investment instruments for surplus funds is an important component of the cash-management process. A county’s authority to invest surplus funds is determined by state law. This publication summarizes these laws on a state-by- state basis.
April 2010

This publication provides examples of urban sustainability programs from across the country.
April 2010

This publication provides examples of urban sustainability programs from counties across the country.
Januray 2010

Developing a well-written request for proposal can be a daunting task. This Research Brief provides an overview of developing successful RFPs.
December 2009

This research brief provides an overview of the Commission-Manager form of government and the states in which it appears.
October 2009

This protocol list provides the order of seating, introduction, and speaking for numerous officials and dignitaries that many attend county functions.
October 2009

This issue brief provides an overview of crafting mission, vision and values statements and provides examples of current statements from counties across the country.
September 2009

While the most prominent cases of public corruption have occurred on the federal and state levels, county governments are not exempt from adhering to ethical guidelines. This publication provides an overview to creating a county code of ethics.
September 2009

This publication provides descriptions of each state’s requirements and regulations on the initiative and referendum processes.
August 2009

County employees should remember that they work for and represent the people of their county. This handbook is designed to help guide counties in the creation of new communications policies or to better explain to employees the existing guidelines.
July 2009

NACo conducted a survey of counties with populations above 100,000 to determine the impact of the economic downturn. The results indicate that local governments are making some tough decisions about how they will be running their governments.
July 2009

This best practices book describes the programs that were recognized with the Best of Category designation for the 2009 Achievement Awards.
June 2009

This publication showcases some of the positive practices being conducted at the county level during the current tough economic times.
June 2009

This Research Brief examines the impact of the economic crisis on common revenue sources.
March 2009

County government in American represents the most encompassing level of local government with the ability to comprehensively address local issues and needs. This report provides an overview of the various county government structures in each state.
March 2009

The Media Relations Guide for Counties is a comprehensive overview on how county officials can to work effectively with reporters to secure positive media coverage.
February 2009

This publication is a comprehensive glossary of more than 240 public finance terms every elected official should know.
January 2009

This research brief provides an overview of the duties and responsibilities of the County Clerk.
November 2008

This Research Brief provides an overview of the duties and repsonsibilities of the County Treasurer.
November 2008

This research brief provides an overview of the variety of responsibilities of County Commissioners.
November 2008

A Look at County Revenue Authority: A State-by-State Report provides an overview of the authorized revenue sources available for counties in each state.
September 2008

This publication presents innovative efforts from among the 2008 Achievement Award winning programs in the Children and Youth category.
August 2008

This publication presents innovative efforts from among the 2008 Achievement Award winning programs in the Environmental Protection and Energy category.
August 2008

This publication presents innovative efforts from among the 2008 Achievement Award winning programs in the Health category.
August 2008

This best practices book describes the programs that were recognized with the Best of Category designation for the 2008 Achievement Awards.
July 2008

This brief provides background on foreclosures and the current economic slowdown, explains how trends may impact county budgets, and describes some county responses.
June 2008

This issue brief provides a concise explanation of the REAL ID Act of 2005, specifically the section pertaining to the standardization of identification cards. The brief also describes the law's potential impacts on county governments.
May 2008

County roads in urban and rural areas comprise a large share of the nation's road miles. Federal Highway Administration data from 2006 indicate that 45 percent of all U.S. public road miles occur on roads owned by county governments.
April 2008

The National Association of Counties has prepared this pocket guide that shows the steps and rules according to Robert’s Rules of Order.
March 2008

This NACo Issue Brief examines the general outcomes affecting youth aging out of foster care, and identifies model county programs and best practices that are addressing the needs of this population in an innovative way.
February 2008

This abstract provides the results of a survey investigating the state of partisanship in American county government elections.
February 2008

This NACo Issue Brief provides a state-by-state view of the various ways county officials may undergo continuing education.
February 2008

This special publication from NACo and the National Center for the Study of Counties at the University of Georgia reviews the responses of 15 counties to the new accounting rule enacted by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board entitled Statement 45.
December 2007

This NACo issue brief reviews recent county ordinances, resolutions, proposals, and initiatives related to local immigrant policy.
October 2007