Memorandum
Date: February 3, 2026
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Susan Parker, County Administrative Officer
Administrative Office
Subject: Approve Out of State Travel for District 5 Supervisor Jessica Pyska to attend National Association of Counties (NACo) Western Interstate Region (WIR) Conference in Maui County, Hawaii from May 4-8, 2026.
Executive Summary:
The NACo Western Interstate Region (WIR) Conference brings together county officials from across the nation to focus on pressing issues facing Western counties and our residents. Each year the conference is hosted by a county within the seventeen Western states - Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaiʻi, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming - and provides attendees with the opportunity to interact with federal, state and regional policymakers, participate in educational sessions and take useful tools home to Lake County.
This year a focus is on post-disaster recoveries, with emphasis on the devastating fire in Lahaina, Maui. Topics include community engagement and recovery, cultural and environmental restoration, and essential infrastructure management.
As one of Lake County’s NACo delegates, Supervisor Pyska is actively involved in ongoing discussions and work, specifically in the area of disaster recovery. Supervisor Pyska is a member of the NACo Disaster Task Force and advocates directly with State and Federal representatives on the needs of Lake County. Of particular note, is the Task Force’s anticipated final report on the FEMA Act priorities and alignment with recommendations currently under review in Congress.
Tentative conference schedule is as follows:
Tuesday, May 5
Optional Pre-Conference Mobile Tour of Haleakalā National Park
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
The tour will highlight ongoing conservation initiatives, the park’s partnership work with local communities, and the challenges and opportunities of stewarding fragile ecosystems in a high-visitor environment. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about intergovernmental collaboration supporting long-term sustainability, habitat restoration, and visitor management strategies.
Wednesday, May 6
WIR Board of Directors Meeting
8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
National Center for Public Lands Counties (NCPLC) Advisory Council Meeting
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Opening Ceremony & Welcome Remarks
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Educational Workshops
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
WIR and NACo Board of Directors Reception
6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 7
NACo Board of Directors Meeting
8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Educational Workshops
8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Mobile Tours to tentatively include Lahaina Post-Disaster Recovery, Community Land Trust, and Water Treatment Site
10:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
All-Conference Reception
6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Friday, May 8
Hawaii County Officials DOD Listening Session
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Invite Only
WIR Business Meeting
9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Closing Session & Final Remarks
10:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Anticipated cost are estimated at no more than $4,000. Please note, there may be limited reimbursement available. To secure the early bird registration, we must proceed with travel arrangements no later than February 11, 2026.
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Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
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☐ Well-being of Residents ☐ Public Safety ☒ Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Recovery
☐ Economic Development ☐ Infrastructure ☐ County Workforce
☐ Community Collaboration ☐ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake
Recommended Action: Approve Out of State Travel for District 5 Supervisor Jessica Pyska to attend National Association of Counties (NACo) Western Interstate Region (WIR) Conference in Maui County, Hawaii from May 4-8, 2026.