There is a lot to be thankful for in California Counties as we approach this holiday season. Obviously, we still have issues to deal with, problems to solve, people to care for and, as always, budgets to worry about. But we also have a lot to be grateful for as we get into the holiday and the CSAC Annual Meeting close behind. I want to take a few minutes to enumerate a few things I am especially thankful for as Executive Director of CSAC.

I’m grateful for my staff here at CSAC. Every day I come to work knowing that the CSAC team is a group of dedicated professionals who know the issues, the history, the players and the policy. Their experience, acumen and dedication help CSAC deliver time and time again. This sentiment applies to CSAC’s legislative and communications teams and also to our top notch administrative and support staff that keeps our engine running smoothly and focused on making the greatest difference to counties. Their work may be behind the scenes, but it is equally critical to our success and they make coming to work every day a pleasure.

It is largely because of that effective staff work that our relationship with Governor Brown, his Administration and the Legislature has never been stronger. As a result, many of our county priorities have been reflected in the state budget.  As we all know, when the California economy falters, so does county revenue. And when that happens, it usually coincides with an increase in demand for county services. So I am grateful that the Governor and Legislature have put a high value on fiscal stability and that California is on much more stable financial footing. That’s good for counties now and in the long run.

I am really looking forward to our Annual Meeting and I am genuinely grateful that so many people from counties all over the state have decided to join us in Monterey County the first week of December. CSAC Staff puts a lot of work into making this meeting successful and I am sure this year’s Annual Meeting is going to be great. We have a beautiful location, a first-rate lineup of speakers and workshops and we’ve built in time for informal discussions and networking. I hope to see you in Monterey—and if you can’t make it this year—we’ll be in Palm Springs, Riverside County, in 2016.

I am very grateful for the camaraderie and friendship I’ve experienced working with Stanislaus County Supervisor Vito Chiesa as CSAC President over the past year. He’s an exceptional leader and he has served our association well. At the same time, I am grateful to have Amador County Supervisor Richard Forster standing by. Richard has been thoughtful and pragmatic as our First Vice President and I am looking forward to working with him in 2016.

So as we look at the issues where long-term solutions remain elusive—transportation funding, drought and water issues, tree mortality, mental health care and homelessness just to name a few, I don’t want to lose sight of the fact that identifying these issues, comparing notes and sharing local solutions are the first steps towards finding meaningful ways to make life a little better in the Golden State. I am particularly grateful to have the opportunity to do this work and I hope you are as well.