Results from a regional online survey of ACOG member communities have helped the Association develop a prioritized list of federal and state legislative issues of concern to local governments in the region. Annually, the Board prepares documents describing its legislative and regulatory concerns to present to Oklahoma State Legislators and Oklahoma's Congressional Delegation. ACOG member entities that responded to the survey included: Arcadia, Bethany, Calumet, Canadian County, Crescent, Edmond, El Reno, Guthrie, Luther, Midwest City, Mustang, Nichols Hills, Nicoma Park, Norman, Noble, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Spencer, The Village, Tuttle and Yukon. Following are the top federal and state issues, ranked in order of importance to ACOG membership:

Federal Priorities:

1. 1(a). Continuation of federal support for community development programs such as CDBG, local workforce development, EDA, fire protection, Enterprise Zones, etc.
2. 1(b). Support continued viability of Tinker Air Force Base.
3. Prohibit unfunded federal mandates; fund efforts to meet regulations (i.e. drinking water, arsenic, storm water, flood control, air quality).
4. Address Highway Trust Fund shortfall and fully appropriate money for transportation (highways and bridges).
5. Preserve local authorities regarding rights-of-way fees and land use controls (including negotiations with telecommunications, cable, railroads, etc. and protection of eminent domain).
6. Support efforts to upgrade 9-1-1 systems nationwide.

State Priorities:

1. Encourage state funding support for Central Oklahoma area highways and transit options.
2. Fund municipal water/wastewater infrastructure replacements.
3. Leave local personnel issues to local decision-makers.
4. Increase support for Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP).
5. Review municipal finance structure to enhance local government revenue opportunities.

For more information, contact Jane Sutter, ACOG

ACOG has applied to the U.S. Economic Development Administration for consideration to develop a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the four-county ACOG region. CEDS are designed to bring together public and private sectors in the creation of an economic roadmap to diversify and strengthen regional economies.

The CEDS should analyze the regional economy and serve as a guide for establishing regional goals and objectives, developing and implementing a regional plan of action, and identifying investment priorities and funding sources. A region must have a current CEDS in order to apply for investment assistance under EDA's Public Works or Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs.

If awarded a CEDS planning grant from EDA, ACOG would issue a Request for Proposals from qualified consultants to develop the actual plan. The planning grant is expected to be around $150,000 with an approximate 50 percent cash and in-kind match, and can take up to two years to complete.

The other 10 councils of government in the State of Oklahoma serve as Economic Development Districts (EDD) for their regions and have conducted CEDS and other economic development strategies for their member communities. Preparation of a CEDS is a preliminary step for ACOG to seek designation as an EDD.

City and county leaders from across the greater metropolitan area have updated a regional map that highlights the best route choices for motorists when inclement winter weather strikes.

The map showcases the roadways that individual communities consider their highest priorities during snow and ice storms. The management of roadways may include the spreading of abrasives (sanding), anti-icing applications (salt and chemicals) and snow removal and clearance (plowing).

Organized by ACOG and focusing on the Oklahoma City Area Regional Transportation Study (OCARTS) area, the snow route identification process involved the interaction of multiple municipal entities and agencies.

The impetus for the map and process came from a regional desire to improve public safety and avoid accidents. The map is not absolute. It does not reflect potential shortcomings in mechanization, manpower, remediation supplies or time. For example, snowfall can occur so rapidly, that roadway treatment and clearance may not be able to counter it at an equitable rate. As such, the routes on the map indicate the roadways that municipalities realistically intend to first direct resources. It does not guarantee that the streets will be clear.

City and county leaders encourage motorists to observe winter driving rules and to only drive on snow and ice covered roads when necessary. The snow routes presented are the best routes to take if and when drivers are out in a severe winter weather event.

For more information on winter driving, and to view and download the map, visit www.acogok.org/snow.

The national inventory of our nation's people is coming soon. Though the Census takes place every 10 years, preparation is seemingly constant. The census is a count of every person living in the United States, including all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. This includes people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, both citizens and non-citizens.

Census questionnaires will be mailed to households in March 2010. Before then, communities and regions are coming together with the development of "complete count" committees.

Tribal, state, and local governments work together with partners in the community to form Complete Count Committees (CCC) to promote the 2010 Census in their communities. Community-based organizations also establish CCCs that reach out to their constituents.

A Complete Count Committee is a team of community leaders appointed by the highest-elected official to develop and implement a locally-based outreach and awareness campaign for the 2010 Census. This team's primary focus is to promote the 2010 Census in a particular community and to ensure that every resident in that area is counted. Community leaders are most qualified to understand the best way to reach all populations that reside in their area. The team is also best suited to mobilize community resources.

Census data helps determine the distribution of $300 billion annually of government funding for critical services. Census data is used to allocate government funding and guides where to build roads, schools, job training centers and more. An incomplete count could mean a community does not receive its fair share of funding. The data process generates thousands of jobs across the country and ultimately determines how many seats each state will have in Congress and impacts redistricting of state and local districts.

Citizen and government support of the 2010 Census matters greatly. The new form will ask only a few simple questions that takes a few minutes to answer and can be returned by mail.

The Census Bureau is currently hiring hundreds of thousands of people nationwide for temporary census jobs. There are several applications available on the ACOG Web site at www.acogok.org. For more information about becoming a 2010 Census partner, visit www.census.gov/2010census.