In ongoing meetings with intergovernmental partners at federal agencies and in Congress, participants are advocating for full PILT funding and speedy reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools program, which together support critical infrastructure in America’s public lands counties.

This is money that rural counties with a lot of federal land desperately rely on to provide essential services because the tax base is often so measly due to that ownership.

“Even though they are not able to collect property taxes on federal land, county governments must still provide essential services for both residents and visitors, from road and bridge maintenance, to law enforcement and emergency services, to solid waste disposal,” said NACo Executive Director Matthew Chase.

“Given how essential the

See Full Page