Steering committees meet, set focus on ’08 issues

The Association’s Intergovernmental Relations and Environment steering committees met via teleconference Sept. 21 to set work plans and goals for the 2008 legislative short session, welcome new members and review legislative activities from the 2007 long session.

With the enactment of S1513, which allows counties to “participate in financing improvements to public streets, highways, and bridges” this year, counties can now choose to be in the road business. Given that North Carolina has a significant backlog of needs for transportation funding, the Intergovernmental Relations Steering Committee set its focus on transportation funding and policy – mainly educational efforts of county commissioners across North Carolina.

Members discussed the possibility of working with the NCACC staff strategic goals team charged with facilitating regional and intergovernmental collaboration on an Urban Issues Forum that would help educate county officials on transportation funding options.

The committee also requested that the Annexation Policy Subcommittee regroup and develop recommendations for the full committee to consider later in the fall. The subcommittee was formed last year and consists of five steering committee members charged with examining and making recommendations on the state’s annexation laws.

Committee members elected Durham County Commissioner Ellen Reckhow as vice chair. NCACC First Vice President Mary Accor of Cleveland County chairs the committee.

The Environment Steering Committee outlined a number of issues to consider this year that can be categorized as reactive or proactive. Among the reactive issues are: coastal stormwater rules, landfill franchising, private well rules and Jordan Lake rules. In the proactive issues category, the committee will study air quality/energy issues, water resources, and ways to improve E-Recycling laws.

Person County Commissioner Jimmy Clayton and Henderson County Commissioner Chuck McGrady co-chair the committee. Members agreed to meet quarterly, with the first meeting likely to be held in November.