Alisha Bell - Meet the candidates - 2025

Key Takeaways

Alisha Bell
Chair, Wayne County, Mich. Commission

Why are you interested in serving as a NACo officer?

It has been my honor to serve on the Wayne County Commission and as a member of NACo for the last 21 years. Service, commitment, and passion have been my guiding principles for both Wayne County and NACo as I continuously demonstrate my dedication to county government. In 2002 when I became the youngest African American woman to be elected to a county board in the country, I made it my mission to make county government accessible and relevant to all residents. That includes having commission and committee meetings live-streamed via Zoom and YouTube and made available afterward on the commission’s web page, as well as expanding commission outreach on social media. Being an active member of NACo has certainly assisted me in bringing that mission to fruition. 

I am interested in serving as a NACo officer because I sincerely believe in the importance of county government to this country and know that my experience, dedication and vision will increase our member engagement as well as advance our legislative priorities. My dedication to NACo has been demonstrated by my positions in the following:

• Current LUCC Vice Chair
• Current Vice Chair of Justice     and Public Safety Committee 
• Former Chair of Justice and Public Safety Committee
• Former President of Women of NACo
• Former President of NABCO
• Former Credentials Chair
• Former Tally Clerk
• CLI Class of 2015
• Presidential Appointee to the NACo Board by 5 NACo Presidents

Serving in my seventh year as Commission Chair for the largest county in Michigan, I am keenly aware of the challenges and successes of county government. I can honestly say that many of the successes that counties have achieved throughout the country stem from the work that NACo has engaged in with our federal partners and the membership of this esteemed organization. Now, more than ever, we need leaders who can unify this nation and I believe I am the right person at the right time to lead this organization as we operate as one NACo, working together with one voice for the betterment of all. County government has always been and will remain a government for the people and I would love the opportunity to share my experiences and vision to further the mission and goals of NACo.

What do you consider to be the two or three most important challenges facing NACo in the near future on which the Officers/Executive Committee/Board of Directors should focus? Why?

Whether you’re in a large, rural, suburban county or tribal community, we all have similar challenges. Similarly, NACo has challenges that our leadership must address so that we maintain our status as the leading voice in county government. We must continue to provide resources, technical assistance and best practices to remain relevant to our members. Remaining relevant and responsive while simultaneously adapting to change will be paramount over the next few years. I firmly believe that in NACo: Together we R.I.S.E.

Resiliency - We must ensure that our legislative priorities emphasize resiliency in our mandated functions as county officials.  We must always be in the mode of preparing, responding and recovering from natural and man-made disasters, economic downturns and public health emergencies.  As a former Chair of the Justice and Public Safety Committee, I brought in experts to discuss the importance of our county emergency management departments as well as the National Weather Service to highlight the role of weather patterns when preparing for possible natural disasters. Over the last five years, the United States has experienced more than 100 weather disasters each causing losses of $1 billion or more! Additionally, our public health departments did an extraordinary job in addressing issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a stark reminder of the importance of preparedness, the capacity to withstand and recover from difficulties, and how counties remain on the front line of resiliency with NACo providing important resources and tools for effective management of these occurrences. 

Infrastructure and Innovation - Many of our communities are burdened with aging bridges, roads, sewer systems and the like. Supporting the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will greatly assist counties in making the much-needed updates and repairs to our infrastructure that our residents desperately rely on us to provide as counties operate 44 percent of the nation’s public roads and 38 percent of bridges. NACo’s role in advocacy to Congress played a pivotal role in developing this comprehensive bill. Our NACo leadership must continue engaging our membership and Congress by telling our story and continuing to advocate for investments in our transportation, stormwater systems, bridges, roads and airports.

Innovation - Artificial Intelligence (AI) is here to stay and counties need to understand the implications of this emerging technology. NACo leadership must continuously inform members of the pros and cons and guide them on how to best use AI for greater efficiencies in government without jeopardizing our workforce. AI can assist in preventing cyber attacks and enhancing infrastructure monitoring, just to name a few of its capabilities. Staying informed on the newest and greatest innovations in technology must remain a top priority for NACo leadership and for members as technology becomes an increasingly integral part of the operations of county government.

Sustainability - Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs is the essence of sustainability. It is important that counties create policies that balance economic development with environmental protections. Being mindful of how importance of clean air and fresh water impact the health of our residents should be a top priority. We can achieve that by encouraging communities to reduce waste, reuse materials and recycle when appropriate. NACo’s commitment to providing resources and tools for more sustainable counties will certainly benefit county efficiencies as well as the health of our residents. 

Engagement- Membership engagement is paramount to the continued success of NACo. Regular communication with members, especially new members, through webinars and opportunities to share with NACo best practices from their county fosters a sense of belonging and reinforce that every member has valuable contributions to offer. Checking in via phone calls or emails can make a significant difference in making members feel valued. I am proud to be a NACo Ambassador which welcomes new members and first-time attendees to our Legislative and Annual Conference and look forward to continuing with these kinds of events to enhance our new member engagement. 

What do you consider to have been your most important contributions to the National Association of Counties to date? What do you consider to have been your most important contributions to your state association of counties?

I have demonstrated my passion for county government and NACo through the various positions I have held over the last several years. I have contributed to NACo’s mission by participating in countless educational sessions at conferences as a panelist and moderator and have been asked to participate in focus groups across the country. As a long standing and active member of LUCC and the Justice and Public Safety Committee, I’ve contributed to several policy initiatives that have helped to shape the policies of NACo. 

As a founding member of NextGen NACo, I’m very proud that we initiated the community service component at the Annual Conference whereby NACo members have partnered with nonprofits to assist in various activities such as packing care packages and cleaning a domestic violence shelter. As president of Women of NACo (WON), I’m proud to have initiated a joint meeting with WON and the Congressional Women’s Caucus to discuss issues we can champion together. 

As a board member of the National Organization of Black County Officials (NOBCO) for 12 years, I’ve hosted two NOBCO Economic Development Conferences in Wayne County, bringing together hundreds of NACo members to discuss the importance of economic development in our respective communities. One of my proudest achievements as a NACo member was introducing my commission colleagues to the Stepping Up Initiative which resulted in our county creating a Behavioral Health Initiative and ultimately establishing a Behavioral Health unit in our Probate Court. 

The Wayne County Commission is a dynamic, diverse board with 15 members. That said, I am proud that our board has been very active in the Michigan Association of Counties (MAC) participating in committees and leadership roles. As we divide our association participation among our commissioners, I’m proud to support and encourage my board members who participate in MAC, which now is led by our very own Wayne County Commissioner, Melissa Daub, as MAC President. MAC has been an integral part of important legislation in our state and I’m so proud to have their support. 

What measures would you recommend to increase and retain NACo membership and to encourage broad participation in NACo by elected officials and employees of NACo member counties? What specific role would you be willing to assume to help build and sustain membership in NACo?

NACo is only as strong as its membership, and it is vital that our members understand the value and resources that NACo brings to them and their county. We must continue with our advocacy efforts, services and innovative programs providing valuable information that other counties can implement.  We must also identify what barriers might exist that prevent county officials from being involved. Whether it’s cost, time, or not understanding NACo’s value, we must address those barriers so that more county officials participate and feel welcomed. 

I would recommend conducting virtual information sessions on each of the steering committees so that new and potential members understand the goals of those committees. I would also create a mentorship program pairing new members with a seasoned NACo member to help them navigate through all the amazing opportunities that NACo offers. Leveraging technology to assist members and creating a portal for members to share best practices is also a way to increase member engagement. Ensuring that every member and potential member has a voice and a safe place to discuss policies that matter with them and their community is key to our continued success. 

Counties across the country face many challenges, regardless of size or geographic location. However, by actively listening to member concerns, learning from one another and fostering collaboration, we can strengthen NACo’s role as being the premiere advocacy organization for counties nationwide.