NCACC participating on DOT advisory group

Members of the NCACC Intergovernmental Relations Steering Committee expressed an over-arching sentiment that the current transportation funding structure was not satisfactory, could not be maintained and must change during their Nov. 30 meeting in Raleigh.

The comments came during a presentation on an N.C. Department of Transportation initiative forwarded by Secretary Gene Conti to refocus the NCDOT's efforts on establishing a closer working relationship with local government officials. To that end, a Transportation Policy Advisory Group has been formed to represent various aspects of local government, including representatives from the Association. NCACC Director of Government Relations Kevin Leonard serves as a member of the group.

Susan Coward, DOT's deputy secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs and Budget Coordination, said the advisory group has announced plans to form working groups that will seek input from local elected officials about how to better communicate and educate local DOT officials about transportation operations and needs at the county and municipal levels.

Committee members illustrated specific situations in their counties about challenges with NCDOT and various local construction projects. Leonard noted it is this type of specific detail that is being sought by the advisory group to assist them in their efforts on improving communications.

Committee members also heard from a panel of speakers about economic development. Mark Clasby of the Haywood County Economic Development Commission; John Peterson of the N.C. Economic Developers Association; and Mike Wilkins of the N.C. Biotechnology Center spoke about the county role in and the importance of economic development.

Wilkins, a former Person County commissioner, provided an overview of specific steps the county board took to improve the county's economic development action plan.

Wilkins said the county engaged in an eight- to 10-year process to invest in county infrastructure, such as an airport, roads, water and sewer, and other basic needs to offer a complete economic package to potential relocating industries. He added that the county developed a Rapid Response Team made up of county leaders – the board chair, school superintendent, Chamber of Commerce leadership, etc. – in order to bring to the same table all parties that were needed to make a decision for a potential new employer.

Committee members also had an opportunity to talk about economic development in general. Discussion included remarks by Durham County Vice Chair Ellen Reckhow, who said the local match required by the One NC Fund award is unfair and may be uncalled for in certain situations.

NCACC Deputy Director Patrice Roesler reviewed the Association's position on annexation during a review of annexation legislation introduced during the 2009 session. Many of the Association's goals were included in H524 – require joint utility service plans, increase required degree of urbanization, require water/sewer within three years, provide that counties can deliver utility services to annexed area, and set June 30 as effective date for involuntary annexations. Goals not included in the version of H524 passed by the House include: Require reimbursement for loss of sales tax and require a referendum if public utilities are already in place (the bill does, however, include a provision that a referendum is required if 15 percent of registered voters sign a petition).

It is not known whether the Senate will take action on H524, but Roesler pointed out that the bill's sponsor, Rep. Bruce Goforth, hails from the same county as new Senate Majority Leader Martin Nesbitt (Buncombe).

Members set the dates for the next committee meetings as Tuesday, Feb. 23, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and Tuesday, May 18, from 1:30 – 5 p.m. in Raleigh.