Succeeding in initiative after initiative, Neisler closes his presidential term having made a significant impact on the NC League.
Per usual, Kings Mountain Mayor Scott Neisler takes the humble road. âI just hope that maybe I did something this year that affected the League in a positive way,â he says, reflecting on an NCLM Presidency that achieved almost nothing but positives.
There were the successes with state lawmakers. With the League positioned as a leader on the issues of local government pandemic recovery, Neisler oversaw the creation and early implementation of NCLMâs American Rescue Plan service line, which has guided all 550-plus municipalities through the federal funding process and towards long-term, transformational successes. The North Carolina General Assembly has supported those efforts through generous state funding, and Gov. Roy Cooper shared his gratitude of the Leagueâs leadership in an introductory letter at NCLMâs four-stop, statewide American Rescue Plan Expert Tour this fall, writing, âWhen we engage collaboratively, we can make the most of the opportunities presented by the ARP. I am grateful to the League for their leadership, in hosting and organizing this tour, and for their ongoing partnership.â
There were the successes in determining NCLMâs advocacy priorities and establishing the 2023â24 Legislative Goals. That process, in total, included 10 goal idea listening sessions, 32 small group discussions, and the submissions of 400 ideas and 50 distinct goals. After the thoughtful consideration of the Legislative Policy Committee and the NCLM Board of Directors, the membership overwhelmingly approved the legislative agenda and reaffirmed NCLMâs Core Municipal Principles.
And most importantly, there were the successes in bolstering the League as a whole. The activity and accomplishments of the past few years are made all the more impressive considering the circumstances of uncertainty. Neisler and other League leaders played a critical role in ensuring that the organization not only continued its service to cities and towns, but became stronger and more capable along the way. That includes the work done to resolve issues with the NC Association of County Commissioners regarding the Leagueâs downtown Raleigh propertyâa success that will be felt by League members for decades to come.
âThe thing I am most proud of is how the League morphed into what it needed to be,â said Mayor Neisler. âEven through the crisis, we were there, and we were whatever our 550 towns needed us to be.â
As both League President and mayor, Neisler sees both sides of the organizationâboth the inner workings and the external applications. On the League side, that unique perspective has helped inform his leadership and his guidance of League offerings. And on the city side, itâs helped him appreciate the services. âThe League is successful cause itâs appropriate for today. Itâs a service organization that really does provide service,â said Neisler. âThe cities that are a part of the League get so much out of itâso many benefits. And, and thatâs what we have to continue to do in the future. We have got to be appropriate for the needs of the cities of North Carolina. And weâve done that very, very successfully.â
All of Neislerâs successesâthe strength of the League, the strength of its state-level relationships and the strategic vision of the legislative advocacy effortsâwere on full display during both the 2022 and 2023 Town and State Dinners. Due to some scheduling peculiarities in the wake of the pandemic, Mayor Neisler had the opportunity to take part each year, as he presided over the dinner in 2022 and interviewed the NC House of Representativesâ leadership in 2023. Between the two events, nearly 1,000 local leaders and state lawmakers attended. âIt showcased the standing of NCLM on the state level,â said Neisler.
At NCLMâs annual conference CityVision in April, Neisler will handoff the role of NCLM President and move into the position of immediate past president. While the tenure itself may be ending, the impacts of his work will reverberate for a long time across North Carolina.
âIâm sort of melancholy in a way. But Iâm also so proud,â said Neisler. âItâs been an honor to serve the NC League of Municipalities, and itâs been an honor to serve our cities and towns.â