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Home My WebLink About040325 - National County Government Month Has Begun!ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them. <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/MTcyNzI0LWRlM2ZkNDFIdE8zWQ==/0/KJFRLuRZxhZdb4Gay7QvZkKVQB5ToggEPRux03BvNyxy5t---plus---gnlz9O83TmSY898GAAZNh---plus---OY43PPDETGlFcBxqA---equ als------equals---> April is National County Government Month! We're taking the month of April to celebrate the critical role counties play in shaping our communities and making a positive impact. In Washington State, counties are leaders, bringing innovative solutions, building resilience, and being a voice for their constituents in Olympia. Our theme this year, "Voices of Impact," shares the importance of effective and strategic communication, the impact of communication, both internally and externally at your county! <https://members.wsac.org/emailimages/1743548090851-WSACE-Logo_RGB.png> Get to Know the WSACE President <https://members.wsac.org/emailimages/1743548280437-955259.jpg> We reached out to the President of the Washington State Association of County Engineers, to learn more about the affiliate group, what it does and why it's important! Doug McCormick, P.E. Deputy Director/County Engineer Snohomish County Tell us a little about what brought you to your current county role: I chose to come to Snohomish County because I had moved to Mukilteo and wanted to work on projects where I lived and planned to raise my family. At the time, I was a young engineer and had completed 5 great years at WSDOT. It was 1990 and I joined the County, a month later we had our first child and now 35 years later, moving up through the ranks in several positions, I am completing my 8th year as County Engineer. I consider joining Snohomish County one of the best decisions of my life! What do you see as the most valuable aspect of WSACE? There is so much value in being involved with WSACE. First, is the opportunity to meet and learn from other great professionals from across the other 39 counties. No matter how big or small, we are all dealing with similar issues, just at different scales. Even though there are certainly differences across the state, being part of this affiliate helps us all understand the issues others are facing and look for similarities and discuss solutions. This also gives us an opportunity to discuss how new legislation will impact counties and provide testimony and input to make positive changes. WSACE has always worked closely with our partners at the County Road Administration Board (CRAB) to ensure the best possible use of our limited funding. The programs that both WSACE and CRAB offer are important as we all face succession planning and development of new staff. What has been your favorite part of being President? I have had so much fun. I want to give a shout out to two hard working individuals right off the top! That would be Axel Swanson and Jessica Strozewski. I knew they did a lot but have really come to appreciate just how much! We are very lucky to have both of you on our team and I thank you for all you have done to assist me over this year! One of the most fun events was the Professional Development Conference in the Spring of Leavenworth in 2024 when I was President Elect, and we put together the infamous “Goat Gate” scenario with Communication Resources Northwest. I think we all had fun with that and who knew we had so many hidden thespians in our ranks! Is there anything else you would like to share? This has been a very fulfilling year for me and Snohomish County, starting out with being honored with the 2024 County Engineer of the Year Award from CRAB and followed up with WSACE President Scott Yaeger awarding me his WSACE Presidents’ Award was a magical night I will not forget. Snohomish County also had Larry Brewer win the Project Manager of the Year as well as project awards from APWA at the state and national level for Little Bear Creek Advance Mitigation Site and the 236th St NE Corridor projects, as well as a WAPA/WSACE paving award for the Index Galena Rd Flood Damage Repair and recognized by ACEC at both the state and National levels. And Chris Smithson from our Road Maintenance Team won the Truck/Snowplow at the APWA Roadeo and is representing the state at National Snow Roadeo in Colorado in September! I think I am forgetting some others but I am sure proud of our team! LEARN MORE <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/MTcyNzI0LWRlM2ZkNDFIdE8zWQ==/1/---slash---iJNOCnEe1sZKfNgAL1BmSTylsQQbLArF3RNem5k---plus---PjXxZYtXZ4s89awauUqtIdW6hz46IQW---plus-- -MDrqVfySHiGCg---equals------equals---> <https://members.wsac.org/emailimages/1743615640831-WSACRPD-Logo.jpg> Get to Know the WSACRPD President <https://members.wsac.org/emailimages/1743615084561-WSACRPD.JPG> We reached out to the President of the Washington State Association of County & Regional Planning Directors, to learn more about the affiliate group, what it does and why it's important! Michelle Mercer Planning Manager, Benton County Community Development Department - Planning Division Tell us a little about what brought you to your current county role: I began my career in forestry policy and never imagined that I would eventually work in local government, especially after spending five years living and working abroad. Upon returning to the U.S., I was fortunate to find an entry-level planning position with Benton County, where I could apply my degree in my hometown. Over the past 10 years, I've been fortunate to have had many opportunities to grow my position within the Planning Department. Working at the County has been a very fulfilling journey, and I’m proud to be part of a dedicated team that’s making a difference in shaping the growth of our community. What do you see as the most valuable aspect of WSACE? I believe the most valuable aspect of WSACRPD is the high level of engagement and collaboration within our affiliate group. We regularly turn to our peers for their insights and experiences to assist with addressing local challenges that jurisdictions face. The willingness to share information and lessons learned has been incredibly encouraging to see and is one of the most valuable benefits of being part of this group. In recent years, we've seen tremendous engagement during our weekly legislative update meetings, and there’s been strong participation in advocating for and making changes to state law. The synergy within our group is one of the many reasons I love being part of WSACRPD. What has been your favorite part of being President? My favorite part of being WSACRPD President is the opportunity to highlight the critical issues faced by county planners and bring them to the attention of decision-makers and advocating for changes that allow planners across the state to implement better planning practices. As county planners, we are often underrepresented at conferences and other key strategic meetings. During my time with WSACRPD, we’ve worked hard to secure more opportunities to address county-specific concerns, and I’m excited to share that we will be hosting the first-ever county planners conference this May. This conference will provide a much-needed space for collaboration and connection among our peers, which I believe will be invaluable for advancing our collective work as an association. Is there anything else you would like to share? I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to Erik Johansen and Mark Personius for taking a chance on a young, inexperienced planning manager by inviting me to join the WSACRPD board. At the time, I didn’t realize it, but I can say with certainty that my involvement with the WSACRPD board has become one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. I also want to extend my sincere gratitude to Paul Jewell for his outstanding leadership with WSACRPD over the years. Paul’s passion and expertise in land use matters are unparalleled, and his guidance has been instrumental in revitalizing our group, helping to shape it into the dynamic affiliate group it is today. LEARN MORE <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/MTcyNzI0LWRlM2ZkNDFIdE8zWQ==/2/HDlCmWom4JI2InQ5PoOmD7VQ---slash---CGMdLcAYbF5nNE4f7Y1kRN3kmWtGclaOdqqVz66Jdu---plus---PiRqVItd2QnZM ---slash---VvXw---equals------equals---> How Your County Can Participate! Voices of Impact puts a special focus on the importance of effective and strategic communication, and the impact of communication. Throughout April, WSAC is highlighting the outstanding voices of our partners and affiliates. What can your county do? We want you to use your voice to engage your communities and staff to share their amazing stories of impact! Share them on social media, in your publications, and at events! Then, share those with WSAC so we can help amplify your voices across the state! Looking for some ideas? We have some great resources available for you with even more on the way throughout the month! * NACo's National County Government Month page <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/MTcyNzI0LWRlM2ZkNDFIdE8zWQ==/3/DR7JDjKYYPlpQnc0P4wgOIIDv3eu2afGTJg4sm---plus---4aTFyHpdQgYiG--- plus---ooLhzuUa---slash---vyBwZ4GORafFvwo5Yg7lfjYy9i48e32JaSO0jFRJhPwX3W8f0tlr6Jz88k5fjnTOpj> * WSAC's National County Government Month page <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/MTcyNzI0LWRlM2ZkNDFIdE8zWQ==/4/3---plus---hybwpaOltiqVfGdU6wdEOKgBBp534rNwqu1---slash---VI0KLHq 8GrH5sznAd9g4B2lALpNbM6ARniSvHNfF7wIOnV7g---equals------equals---> <https://members.wsac.org/emailimages/1742411578759-711721.png> This is a message from Washington State Association of Counties <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/MTcyNzI0LWRlM2ZkNDFIdE8zWQ==/5/6rwVaw01jv5lOyFnDLBweW---plus---H9QCk1azMayp4pi qfKLGUmytQZp5u6Y5Sa3HqrAqB5P1jvIdORHqLB8dYi---slash---xaIQ---equals------equals---> Having trouble reading this email? 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