State budget sees to county concerns

• County efforts rewarded in budget

It took a little while longer than originally anticipated, but the budget approved by the House and Senate in early July can be taken as further evidence of the improving relationship that exists between counties and the State.

The state budget included many items of interest to counties, including resolutions to some of our top legislative priorities this year. Despite tough economic conditions, the state agreed to rescind last year's special provision that shifted funding for courthouse phone systems to counties, and the state also directed additional funding to improve mental health services, particularly local crisis and state psychiatric services.

The state also restored recurring funding to two critical programs – the Juvenile Crime Prevention Councils (JCPC) and the Criminal Justice Partnership Program (CJPP), and provided each program with additional funding. These programs were reviewed in 2007-08 to see if they were meeting their goals and objectives and should continue to receive state funds.

County commissioners across the state lobbied to have recurring funding restored to the JCPCs and CJPPs, and we also actively encouraged the Legislature to reverse its decision to shift funding for courthouse phone systems to counties – an unfunded mandate.

It is very important that commissioners are engaged and informed when it comes to legislative issues. For the past several years, the Association has undertaken a concerted effort to get us more involved in our advocacy efforts – and it continues to pay off, beginning with last year's Medicaid relief plan.

That is why the Association is putting together an interesting pre-conference seminar this year at our Annual Conference in Craven County.

"Budget Busters: Understanding the State Budget and How Local Elected Officials Can Make a Positive Impact" is a nationally known simulation that mirrors the state budget process. And who better to present this program than Tom Covington, the retired director of fiscal research for the General Assembly?

Covington has developed this program based on his years of experience working with the North Carolina Legislature. He has presented this program to groups across the nation, and will present it again as a pre-conference seminar on Aug. 21 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center.

This training exercise is a great way for commissioners to learn about the many ways we can impact the state budget process. It will also ensure that future generations of county commissioners can continue to build upon the groundwork that we have laid for them the past several years.