There’s Always Next Year: Eternal Optimism of a County Administrator
I am a Buffalo Bills fan. Growing up in Buffalo, there was a recurring theme, especially in the Super Bowl years, of “there is always next year.” I often translate this philosophy colloquially to being an “eternal optimist.”
So…What does this have to do with County Administration?
Well, we have challenges galore these days. Community divisiveness, Federal and State budget cutbacks that impact counties, political discord, etc.
Meanwhile, in every report that comes out on the status of government and public opinions on the levels of government (Federal to State to County/Local), the latter type – local government – is always ranked the most trusted among the group. I would assert that this is for good reason. Local government is closest to the people. The services are visible and tangible. The staff and department are accessible. And the responses and services people think most about when they think about government and/or public service - public safety, public works, water/sewer - are delivered at the local level. Of course, with county governments, we have those “extra” services that traditional, municipal levels do not render – namely criminal justice, mental health, and human services like public assistance, nursing home administration and so forth.
Tying this together, I see a cause for optimism and a case for doubling-down on the efforts you make as county leaders to further entrench and enhance your relationship, and thus your reputation, with your local constituents. I see a scenario where you, as counties, are the shining light, the positive and stalwart service provider, despite - and unabated by - the surrounding noise and nonsense.
As County Administrators, you have an especially distinctive role to play here. Counties that are professionally managed set the bar, especially as it relates to this issue of trust, and in today’s challenging times - this issue of rising above the fray, so to speak.
Namely:
Counties with County Administrator positions have a form and structure of government that inherently favors professionalism over politics.
County Administrators themselves are non-partisan, appointed leaders in a world of political shenanigans.
County governments are the most expansive, diverse and comprehensive in terms of the breadth of service provision, in the entire spectrum of local governments in the US and you thus have opportunities galore to place the “benefit to the taxpayer” on display every day.
County Administrators are leaders in the local government arena in key and critical areas that relate to building and maintaining trust in public service, specifically: transparency, community engagement, and financial stewardship.
Use the current state of affairs nationally, and internationally, to intensify your efforts, increase your County's commitment to delivering the most efficient and responsive services to your residents, and strengthen your collective resolve to be better, faster, and more efficient. In a world of doom and gloom, stay positive and upbeat. People, some you know and some you do not know, are relying on you and your county to be – among many other things – a provider of last resort, to be the helper in a time of major need, and to be the responding agency to a crisis, whether mental health, public health, food security, or public safety related. Counties have a massive opportunity to accelerate the trust-quotient that was already strong, comparatively, and supercharge it even further.
As a proud Friend of NACA, I support County Administrators in their mission to lead with integrity, maintain trust, display optimism, and exemplify good government.
PS - The Bills will win the Super Bowl this year. 🔮
Author: Dr. Ian M. Coyle, ICMA-CM, Founder & President, Pracademic Partners
Thanks to Pracademic Partners for being a 2025 Friend of NACA.
Led by former NACA Board Member Dr. Ian M. Coyle, Pracademic Partners provides consultative assistance to public-sector focused organizations in four key areas: executive search; management consulting; executive/leadership coaching; and teaching, training & professional development experiences.