County Countdown – Nov. 4, 2024

Every other week, NACo's County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership.

Election Day 2024

The 2024 election is taking place this week. In addition to highlighting the critical county role in administering the election, NACo is closely monitoring pivotal races and will soon release an in-depth analysis on election outcomes and their impact on county priorities.

• Advocacy impact: Our analysis will help inform NACo’s approach in the upcoming Congressional lame duck session as well as advocacy strategies for the 119th Congress.
• Key stats: The county role in election administration is extensive in most states and localities, including funding and managing over 100,000 polling places staffed by over 630,000 poll workers. 

New notice for the Emergency Rental Assistance program

On October 4, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that Emergency Rental Assistance program grantees must repay funds disbursed due to fraud or unallowable expenses, despite Treasury’s prior encouragement to accept a personal certification from renters without additional documentation.

• About the program: The Emergency Rental Assistance program was authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act, providing direct funding to counties to assist families struggling to make rental and utility payments.
• County impact: Counties always act as trusted stewards of federal dollars and public money, but this new policy shift could severely impact our ability to provide housing assistance, as we may now need to divert resources from addressing housing affordability to repaying federal money administered in good faith.
• Taking action: NACo is urging Treasury to reverse this policy and is mobilizing counties to advocate for relief from potential financial penalties.

Direct pay extension for county clean energy projects

On October 11, the IRS announced an automatic six-month extension for counties and other eligible entities to file Form 990-T if they are making an elective payment election, or direct pay, to recover costs for clean energy initiatives in taxable years ending between December 31, 2023, and November 30, 2024.

• For example: Entities with tax years ending on December 31, 2023, and an original filing deadline of May 15, 2024, will now have until November 15, 2024, to file their elective pay claim.
• Background: The elective pay option, authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act, allows counties to receive a refund equivalent to clean energy tax credits rather than the credit itself, supporting local investments in clean energy.

This week: Participate in Operation Green Light

Once again this year, NACo and the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO) invite the nation’s 3,069 counties, parishes and boroughs to join Operation Green Light for Veterans from November 4–11, 2024.

• By shining a green light, county governments and our residents will let veterans know they are seen, appreciated and supported.
• Getting started: Need ideas for lighting your county up in green? Find suggested materials here.
• Outreach resources: Our Operation Green Light toolkit includes a resolution template, printable flyer, sample press releases, social media graphics and more.

Register today for the 2025 NACo Legislative Conference

Register now for NACo’s 2025 Legislative Conference. Join nearly 2,000 county leaders March 1-4, 2025 in Washington, D.C. to focus on county federal policy priorities.

• Highlights: Attendees can participate in timely policy sessions, meet with members of Congress and interact with federal agency officials.
• Learn more: Visit the conference homepage to learn more and explore the full schedule.