Agenda

Wednesday, December 17

10:00-11:00 AM - Navigating Livestock Zoning and Permitting: Policy, Process, and Public Engagement - Misty Ahmic, Seward County; Matt Nonnenmann, UNMC; Chad Nabity, Hall County; Moderated by Judy Mignery, Adams County

• Effective livestock zoning requires balancing multiple priorities — agriculture, environment, and community input. This session offers a full-circle discussion designed for county board members, county attorneys and planning administrators. Panelists will share guidance on regulatory compliance, public engagement, and productive meeting management to support thoughtful decision-making at the local level.

11:00-11:30 AM - The County Attorney Shortage: Collaborative Solutions for Sustainable Legal Services - Jon Cannon, NACO Executive Director

• As counties navigate an increasingly competitive legal job market, innovative approaches are needed to ensure access to qualified county attorneys. This interactive discussion will highlight possible legislative measures, partnerships with higher education institutions, and local initiatives to incentivize recruitment and retention.

11:30 AM-12:30 PM - Lunch and Exhibit Hall Break

12:30-1:15 PM - Court System Funding and Legislative Impacts: A Clerk of the District Court Perspective

• This session provides county officials with a clearer understanding of how unfunded mandates and evolving legislative proposals shape the administration of district courts in Nebraska. The Clerk of the District Court will highlight current funding challenges, review recent proposals from the Administrative Office of the Courts and the Nebraska Supreme Court, and discuss their potential impact on counties and the citizens they serve.

1:15-2:00 PM - A Refresher on Proper Use of Public Funds and Assets - Craig Kubicek, Deputy Auditor, Nebraska Auditor of Public Accounts

• This session will provide county officials with an important refresher on the appropriate use of public funds, property, and equipment. Craig Kubicek from the Auditor of Public Accounts (APA) will review common audit findings, share recent examples, and discuss preventive measures counties can implement to promote compliance, accountability, and transparency. The presentation will also cover frequently asked questions and highlight emerging areas of concern identified through recent audits.
  • Case Study Link

2:00-2:30 PM - Exhibit Hall Break

2:30-4:00 PM- Powering Nebraska’s Future: A Fireside Chat with NPPD and OPPD Leadership - Javier Fernandez, President and CEO, OPPD; Tom Kent, President and CEO NPPD; Candace Meredith, NACO Deputy Director

• In this engaging discussion, NPPD CEO Tom Kent and OPPD CEO Javier Fernandez will reflect on how Nebraska’s energy sector has transformed over the past decade and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The conversation will address emerging energy demands, integration of  energy sources, and strategies for fostering cooperation between utilities and county governments in planning and land use decisions.