Legislative Liaisons

• Sample agenda memo for appointing Legislative Liaisons (Word doc)

The Legislative Liaison program originates from the NCACC strategic goals team tasked with building a grassroots advocacy network using teams of county commissioners and managers. As part of its focus on developing that network of advocates, the goals team strives to have a legislative liaison in each of the state’s 100 counties to lead each county board in monthly discussions about issues affecting counties in the Legislature.

In addition to keeping fellow board members up-to-speed on issues of statewide importance, these discussions will help put the county perspective on statewide issues in front of the public and local media. Keeping citizens and other community leaders informed of county interests in the Legislature is an important piece of building county-wide support for Association legislative goals.

Responsibilities of liaisons include:

• Ensuring other county commissioners are aware of legislative developments concerning issues of importance to counties
• Placing items of statewide importance on county Board of Commissioners agendas to generate discussion and elevate public awareness
• Providing a local voice that local media can rely upon for information on legislative issues
• Setting up or making sure regular meetings with local legislators are taking place
• Providing feedback to the Association (e-mail us at ncacc@ncacc.org) on what local legislators, fellow Board members, other officials and the general public are saying about bills and issues, and what issues are elevated in your county

2008 legislative short session
By each Friday during the session, liaisons, county managers and county clerks will receive a sample agenda item and talking points (or a revised agenda item and talking points) for use at your next Board of Commissioners meeting. These items will reflect the latest developments in legislation that is of interest to counties statewide.

If your county has changed its liaison or wishes to change its liaison for the session, please let us know who your new liaison is.