For Immediate Release
Lincoln, NE – The Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO) recently hosted its 131st Annual Conference in Kearney, NE. The conference was held December 17-19 and brought together county leaders from across the state to discuss key issues facing local governments, participate in professional development, and celebrate outstanding public service.
NACO Executive Director Jon Cannon reflected on the Conference. “Nebraska’s counties were the very first in our great country to decide to hold an annual conference way back in 1893. The settings and technology may have changed, but what has been constant is Nebraska’s public servants seeking innovation through their shared experiences. NACO could not be prouder to bring together the leaders of our communities and work on their behalf.”
The theme of this year’s conference was “All In,” which celebrated Nebraska’s achievement of reaching 100% membership in the National Association of Counties (NACo). There to help us celebrate was NACo President J.D. Clark. Attendees also shared their “all in” stories about what drives their commitments to serving their constituents.
Attendees took part in breakout sessions that gave them an opportunity to connect with their counterparts from across the state and discuss the challenges and priorities of their positions.
Sessions covered a wide range of topics, including but not limited to, FEMA reform, salary guidelines, and public records. County officials also had an opportunity to connect with the more than 100 exhibitors and state and federal partners who provide resources and products that assist county government operations.
On Thursday morning, attendees heard speeches from Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen and NACo President J.D. Clark. Both spoke about the importance of strong local leadership.
During the awards luncheon, NACO recognized the exceptional dedication of the following 2025award recipients:
County Official of The Year Award: Darla Walther, Frontier County Clerk
Lifetime Achievement Award: Kathleen Nieveen, Johnson County Clerk
Next Generation Award: Amber Scanlon, Saunders County Treasurer
The NACO Annual Conference once again demonstrated the dedication and professionalism of Nebraska’s county officials as they continue to work together to serve their communities.