Island County Commissioner Kelly Emerson participated in the National Association of Counties’ Western Interstate Region Conference May 22-24 in Flagstaff, Ariz. to discuss public and forest lands, disaster preparedness and recovery, public-private partnerships and other issues important to western counties and communities.

Emerson, board chair and a District 3 Republican, said in a release that the conference provided county officials with the opportunity to hear national speakers, discuss federal legislation and network with other county officials from across the country.

“The time spent at a WIR conference is always of great value,” Emerson said. “The speakers get right to the core of issues affecting our counties and the breakout sessions foster great networking with other officials experiencing similar difficulties.”

Founded in 1935, NACo provides services to the nation’s 3,069 counties.