Exploring County Innovations at the 2025 ICMA Annual Conference
Written by: Dr. Kevin A. Catlin, County Administrator, Kalamazoo County, Michigan
Dr. Catlin was recognition as a J. Thomas Lundy Scholarship recipient at the 2025 ICMA Conference.
Attending the 2025 ICMA Annual Conference in Tampa, Florida was a deeply enriching and professionally invigorating experience. As a county administrator and recent Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) graduate, I found the conference’s county-centric programming, particularly the events organized through NACA, to be profoundly impactful.
Among the highlights were the County Administrators’ Idea Exchanges, where practitioners from across the country gathered to discuss pressing challenges and bold innovations in county governance. These sessions offered not only timely insights but also created a collaborative space to exchange practical strategies tailored for county government. I left each exchange with fresh ideas, renewed energy, and new connections with peers who share a deep commitment to public service.
Another standout was the session on City and County Unhoused Planning Strategies, a topic highly relevant to my role in Kalamazoo County. With communities across the nation grappling with homelessness and housing insecurity, this session provided valuable case studies and approaches rooted in human dignity, data-driven planning, and intergovernmental collaboration. The discussion reaffirmed the importance of integrated, cross-sectoral strategies to address one of the most complex issues facing counties today.
Equally compelling was the workshop on Implementing and Assessing a 32-Hour Work Week in San Juan County, Washington. This forward-thinking approach to employee well-being and productivity sparked valuable reflections on how counties can rethink traditional government structures to retain talent, improve morale, and enhance work-life balance. The session was a testament to the creativity and courage emerging within local government leadership circles.
Beyond formal sessions, I found great value in the NACA Reception, which offered a welcoming and relaxed environment to build relationships with fellow county administrators and leaders from across the country. These networking opportunities are essential, not only for career development, but also for sharing lessons learned, fostering mentorship, and building collective momentum for public sector innovation.
Overall, the ICMA Annual Conference reinforced my belief that counties are at the forefront of transforming public service delivery. Each workshop, idea exchange, and conversation served as a reminder that our roles as county leaders are not just administrative; they are deeply transformational. We equip residents with tools to thrive by building resilient systems, championing equity, and inspiring civic trust.
I am grateful to NACA for awarding me the J. Thomas Lundy Scholarship. Relatedly, I am grateful for the opportunity to attend and honored to contribute to our field’s collective knowledge. I returned to Kalamazoo County re-energized and ready to implement new ideas that will further our mission to serve with integrity, foresight, and excellence.
Dr. Kevin A. Catlin serves as the County Administrator for Kalamazoo County Government in Michigan, where he oversees a $325+ million budget and nearly 1,000 employees. A recent graduate of the University of Illinois Springfield with a Doctor of Public Administration degree, Dr. Catlin is passionate about driving innovation, equity, and strategic transformation in local government. His career spans leadership roles across multiple jurisdictions, and he remains actively engaged in advancing public sector excellence through mentorship, research, and professional service.