American Association of Special Districts

06/25/2025

State legislatures across the country in 2025 continued to weigh and act on policies to mitigate rising property tax bills.

We are revisiting this consequential trend for special districts with a focus on three states - Montana, Wyoming, and Missouri - where "good, bad, and ugly" property taxation policies have played out for special districts. We also cover the urgency for to unite for a stronger voice in their state capitols.

Learn more:

AASD checks in on 2025 state actions impacting property taxes: covering the good (Montana), the bad (Wyoming), and the ugly (Missouri).

06/13/2025

🎉 New Member Announcement -- We are excited to welcome the Texas Special Districts Coalition and its member special districts to AASD!

TSDC was established in March 2025 to build a network of Texas' special districts for a strong voice in Austin and to deliver on professional needs for district leaders. The organization marked the 10th umbrella organization to unite, strengthen, and advance all special districts across a state.

AASD looks forward to collaborating with Texas' special district leaders to invest in and develop resources to advance the TSDC's mission, grassroots efforts, and professional resources for all of Texas' nearly-3,000 special districts.

A special shout-out to two of AASD's Board Members - Erica Richardson (Libary Division) and Jonathan Roach (Gulf South Region) - for their leadership and dedication to establish the Texas Special Districts Coalition.

🟡 Read more about TSDC: https://americasdistricts.org/celebrating-texas-special-districts-coalition/

06/11/2025

AASD strongly supports federal legislative efforts to define "Special District" and begin knocking down barriers for districts' engagement in federal programs and funding opportunities. We are excited to see Senator John Cornyn, Senator Jeff Merkley, Senator Bernie Moreno, and Senator Ruben Gallego lead introduction of the 'Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act' in the Senate, and we thank them for their leadership!

▶️Read more: https://americasdistricts.org/special-district-fairness-and-accessibility-act-introduced-in-senate/

‼️CALL TO ACTION -- Get your resources for advocacy: https://americasdistricts.org/special-district-fairness-and-accessibility-act/

Cornyn, Merkley, Moreno, and Gallego lead the bipartisan Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act in the Senate.

06/05/2025

Special district stakeholders from around the Lake of the Ozarks networked over shared experiences, priorities, and missions at the Camden County Library District in Osage Beach, Mo. Topics covered included common concerns over the flow of state and local funding, organizing advocacy needs in Jefferson City, establishing a broader districts communication network, and much more.

The American Association of Special Districts coordinated the Lake Area Special Districts Roundtable, which brought fire protection, 911, road, library districts and municipal partners together as part of efforts to develop a statewide, all-districts organization in the Show-Me State.

Big thanks to AASD Board Members Desmond LeBlanc (representing Special District Mangement Solutions) and Jonathan Roach plus Roach & Associates PLLC Team Members Ray Arce and Deborah Gentry, for joining Missouri's district leaders to offer additional perspective and insights during this roundtable and visits with district leaders in the area.

06/04/2025

Members of the AASD Leadership Team have been on the ground this week visiting with Mid-Missouri’s special district leaders and getting to know their issues. We were especially excited to meet with the Gravois Special Road District No. 8 - AASD’s newest special district member!

This small, but mighty district on the Lake of the Ozarks’ north side maintains nearly 70 miles of roads and bridges ensuring local residents, businesses and many visitors have safe, maintained paved and gravel roads.

As a resource-driven grassroots organization, the American Association of Special Districts is geared to meeting special districts where they are, hearing and learning about the issues, and leaning in on solutions. It’s part of our mission and commitment to unite, strengthen, and advance .

Shoutouts to AASD Board Members Desmond LeBlanc and Jonathan Roach, as well as Roach & Associates team members Ray Arce and Debbie Gentry, for being part of the Association's first series of grassroots visits!

06/03/2025

Many of America's special districts provide essential, efficient, local public services in rural communities like Richland, Mo. - where four districts are headquartered, each ensuring different local needs are met for the surrounding area.

AASD's Executive Director Cole Arreola-Karr stopped by a few of his hometown special districts today to say hello and catch up - including the Pulaski County Soil and Water Conservation District, the Pulaski County Ambulance District, Pulaski County Library District, and a stop in at the Tri-County Fire Protection District.

From implementation of rotational grazing strategies that save farmers in the winter and soil erosion programs, to preserving the history of the area and connecting the community - the leaders of these local districts are making a big difference in their small community. Meanwhile, they also have similar concerns as fellow general governments (cities/counties) when it comes to the future of federal programs, staffing, insurance costs, and resources for good governance.

Whether the town needs to pick up a book, need help with ag equipment, or call 9-1-1, hashtag have Richland covered! ✅

Learn more about AASD-coordinated efforts assisting the Missouri Special Districts Steering Committee to develop a statewide organization for hashtag 's hashtag leaders and stakeholders of all stripes to network, learn, and advocate on common issues ▶️ https://americasdistricts.org/missouri-special-districts-meet-for-first-steering-committee-meeting/

District leaders in the Lake of the Ozarks Area - check out the Lake Area Special Districts Roundtable on Wednesday, June 4 ▶️ https://americasdistricts.org/lake-of-the-ozarks-special-districts-roundtable/

05/29/2025

🌠 Leadership Spotlight. -- Meet Erica Richardson, Benbrook Public Library (Texas) Executive Director and Founding AASD Board Member representing America's library districts.

Erica has worked with the Benbrook Library District for a decade, has played a central role in engaging Texas' 15 library districts, and is a cofounder of the Texas Special Districts Coalition.

Meet Erica: https://americasdistricts.org/erica-richardson/

Among Erica's prioriteis as an AASD Board Member is to focus on "practical ways AASD can provide support that can help grow and strengthen even the smallest special district."

Erica's passion for community and library services shines bright, and we are grateful for her service to the Benbrook community and leadership for America's Districts!

AASD's Board of Directors is comprised of special district elected/appointed directors, managers, and stakeholders that live the districts experience day in and day out. We'll highlight each in the weeks ahead.

Erica Richardson is a Founding Member of the American Association of Special Districts representing America's library districts.

05/28/2025

New Member Announcement! 🔷 🔶 We are excited to welcome the Tennessee Association of Utility Districts as AASD's newest State District Organization Member!

TAUD is the Volunteer State's go-to association that advocates, educates, and offers governance resources for special districts providing drinking water, wastewater treatment, and natural gas services across Tennessee - including 168 member districts.

AASD looks forward to collaborating with TAUD and Tennessee's utility districts to advocate and network with fellow district leaders from across the nation, and much more. Welcome, TAUD!

05/27/2025

Registration is now open for three of AASD's upcoming Regional Special Districts Governance Summits - including AASD's First Annual Membership Meeting!

Join fellow hashtag leaders and stakeholders from across the country for two days of networking, governance perspectives, and advocacy on common issues in Fargo (July 24-25); Albuquerque (Sept. 11-12); and Munster, Ind. (Oct. 23-24 / Annual Meeting on Oct. 24)

Learn more and register for the Special District Governance Summits: https://americasdistricts.org/registration-open-for-3-regional-special-districts-governance-summits/

AASD recently hosted two successful regional events in New Orleans and Springfield, Mo.; and, one last 2025 event is still in the works - all part of our mission to unite, strengthen, and advance all of America's special districts!

America's special district leaders will gather in Fargo; Albuquerque; and Munster, IN, for two days of networking, education, and advocacy.

05/23/2025

California's recreation and park district leaders have been meeting for two days of awesome collaboration and discussions on how they are riding the “Waves of Change." We have had a great time at the California Association of Recreation and Park Districts' Annual Conference - networking and engaging with district leaders in San Diego. Congratulations to CARPD on a successful event! 🎉

05/23/2025

H.R. 2766, the bipartisan "Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act," is the simple solution to begin breaking down barriers that many special districts have long-faced to leverage federal programs.

AASD strongly supports this priority bill to federally define "special district." Get your resources to support this crucial legislation for all of America's districts, and take action today!

Advocacy resources and more for America's special districts to support the Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act.

05/22/2025

Special district leaders from across the Lake of the Ozarks region are invited to the Lake Area Special Districts Roundtable to network over and discuss common issues impacting services in their communities.

Join us Wednesday morning, June 4, at the Camden County Library District's Osage Beach Branch for this grassroots event

Elected/appointed board members, managers, and staff will gather to discuss shared hardships, and identify how various types of special districts can advocate for better access to local, state, and federal resources. Topics will range from intergovernmental relations to how special districts factor into property tax debates and beyond.

Learn more and register today! There is no cost to attend, but space is limited: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/cky9zfk

Learn more about the Roundtable:
https://americasdistricts.org/lake-of-the-ozarks-special-districts-roundtable/

The Roundtable comes on the heels of AASD's Mid-America governance summit in April, and as a steering committee of Missouri's district leaders begin to explore and develop a statewide, all-districts special districts organization.

AASD Leadership will join the Lake Area Roundtable for discussions.

Special district leaders from across the Lake of the Ozarks region will gather June 4, 2025, for discussions on common needs and advocacy.