NCACC
215 N. Dawson St.
Raleigh, NC 27603

Albert Coates Local Government Center
Phone: (919) 715-2893
Fax: (919) 733-1065

Quorum Center
Phone: (919) 719-1100
Fax: (919) 719-1101

E-mail: ncacc@ncacc.org
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CountyLines: January 2011
Volume 37, No. 1

Edge appointed president elect

The NCACC Board of Directors appointed Cumberland County Chairman Kenneth Edge as president elect during its Dec. 15 meeting in Raleigh. That position was vacated earlier in December after Jackson County's Brian McMahan, defeated in the general election, left office.

Resolutions for a new biennium

Counties set their legislative priorities during Jan. 20-21 conference
County officials from across North Carolina will gather at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center in Durham County on Jan. 20-21 to determine counties' 2011-12 legislative agenda.

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A perfect time to set new goals

Make sure you take time to set your personal goals for 2011! We all set New Year's goals. At times we fall short, but the goals do help to keep us focused on what is important in our life. Our Legislative Goals Conference is fast approaching, and I am asking you to not only fully participate but also to spend a little time with your personal goals.

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NCACC task force on board with 'Middle Class Express'

Wake program provides a 'trampoline' to self-sufficiency for county DSS clients
Members of the NCACC's Building Human Capital Task Force learned about how Wake County is providing a catalyst to move its social services clients into self-sufficiency during a Dec. 14 meeting at the county's Human Services Center.

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Bryan: Veterans need to know available benefits

Association task force seeks to help connect veterans, families with array of county services
As home to the third largest concentration of military personnel in the nation, North Carolina depends on the military to provide fuel to its economic engine. Coupled with the continued growth of military bases located in the state, it has never been more important for counties to help bring greater awareness and appreciation to North Carolina's service men and women, past and present, NCACC President Joe Bryan told members of the NCACC Veterans Outreach and Services Task Force during their inaugural meeting on Dec. 7 – Pearl Harbor Day, appropriately.

Washington, D.C. welcomes county officials in March

North Carolina counties will caucus, visit with congressional delegation during Legislative Conference
County officials from across the country will convene in the nation's capital March 5-9 for the National Association of Counties' annual Legislative Conference.

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NCACC welcomes Bason as legislative counsel

Amy Bason joined the Association's staff Jan. 3 as legislative counsel. Since 2007, she has served as general counsel to the Senate Majority Leader's office.

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Outstanding County Program Awards entries due Feb. 28

Applications are now being accepted for the NCACC's 2010 Outstanding County Program Awards competition. Applications will be accepted through Feb. 28, 2011, and the winning programs will be recognized during a meeting of their board of county commissioners in April 2011 as part of the National County Government Month celebration.

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  • Click here to download an application, learn more about the program, and read about past winners.

Economic woes hamper Legislature, job growth

The NCACC Board of Directors received a good dose of sympathy from presenters during its Dec. 15 meeting in Raleigh. Dr. Hunter Bacot, an associate professor of political science at Elon University, discussed the impact of November elections on the state, while Mark Vitner, a senior economist at Wells Fargo Financial Services, provided an overview of the national and state economies.

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Board welcomes three new district directors

Three vacancies on the NCACC Board of Directors were filled in early December after the counties in Districts 1, 9 and 17 caucused to elect new representatives. Two of the three new members were sworn into office Dec. 15 at the NCACC Board of Directors meeting.

Managing Your Risk
Benchmarking an important tool for improvement

Measuring, comparing trends helps to identify trouble spots
During our March 2009 Risk Management Pools regional meetings, I introduced the process of establishing and utilizing benchmarks to help develop an initial focal point for your risk management efforts. And in the December 2010 issue of CountyLines, Bob Carruth, risk control manager for the Pools, introduced the County Safety Index, essentially establishing and publishing some of our own benchmarks at a state level. So what exactly is "benchmarking" and how is it used in managing your risk?

'Walktober' follows in footsteps of successful 'Route 66' fitness campaign

Three counties and three county entities earned small wellness grants after participating in the County Health Plan's "Walktober" initiative.

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More from this month's CountyLines:
Final 'Essentials' schools set for New Bern, Raleigh
Forum on healthcare seeks county input
Program helps counties collect unpaid debts
Briefs and shorts
Career opportunities