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Missouri Association of Counties prepares to host its 47th annual conference

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — More than 700 people including county elected officials, sponsors, and exhibitors, are expected to gather in Camden County for a conference on enhancing local government.

The Missouri Association of Counties (MAC) is set to host its 47th Annual Conference & Expo on Nov. 18-20, 2018, at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Camden County (Osage Beach), Missouri. Informational training and networking sessions on topics designed to enhance local government will be the focus of the event.

“The services county governments provide to their citizens is important to the growth of our communities and to our state, as a whole,” said Dick Burke, executive director for the Missouri Association of Counties. “Our annual conference is the perfect opportunity for county officials to learn and understand about new laws that were passed, or discuss other topics that are critical to the day-to-day operations of local governments.

“It also allows officials the time to speak with their counterparts about ideas and learn best practices when developing public policy to ensure that their county governments are adequately serving their constituents.”

The annual conference gives MAC members the opportunity to establish their legislative priorities for 2019, and elect new officers and board members.

The opening session of the annual conference begins at 8:15 a.m. on Monday morning and features V.J. Smith, who is a two-time finalist in the Toastmaster’s Internationals World Championship of Public Speaking and the author of three books: The Richest Man in Town, Jackrabbit Tales and Can You Hear What I See?

At 9 a.m., Missouri Gov. Mike Parson will speak to attendees about the importance of workforce development and infrastructure that will put Missouri on the right track for growth in the future.

At 9:30 a.m., Mary Ann Borgeson, first vice president of the National Association of Counties (NACo), will give an overview on the federal policy agenda that NACo is advocating for in Washington D.C.

Following the morning’s general sessions, there are two rounds of educational breakout sessions that are scheduled from 10:30 a.m. until noon, which include:

· Clandestine marijuana grows, part I & II;
· Implementing the prevailing wage law;
· Update on national prescription opiate litigation;
· Changes to the prosecutors’ retirement system;
· Effective investment options for counties;
· An overview of the new 911 law;
· What to expect when you’re financing;
· Update on illicit drug use in the U.S. & Midwest; and
· Implementing and funding improvements to historical courthouses, facilities and infrastructure.
Afternoon breakout sessions will continue from 1:15 to 2 p.m. and include:

· Pretrial assessment and electronic monitoring;
· Workplace violence and coordination between local law enforcement and hospital staff;
· Recovering the costs of the opioid crisis – a county-by-county approach. A Missouri solution to a Missouri problem;
· How the bond market is reacting to the midterm election and review of funding capital facility projects; and
· Biodiesel – fueling your county’s economy.

The conference continues on at 8:15 a.m. on Tuesday with Mark Godfrey, director of the Taxation Division for the Missouri Department of Revenue, along with MAC General Counsel Travis Elliot and Boone County Counsel CJ Dykhouse speaking about what Missouri needs to do in order to comply with the South Dakota v. Wayfair decision that was handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court in June that says states can impose taxes on goods purchased online through a vendor without a physical presence in the state.

The conference will conclude with Geoffrey Jenista, Department of Homeland Security Cyber Security Advisor for Region VII, and Patrick Woods, CJIS Division Assistant Director and Cybersecurity and Technology Chief Information Security Officer, speaking at 9 a.m. about cyberwarfare and if Missouri counties are prepared for it.