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The Association Founded in 1908, the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners is one of the most successful and active statewide local government associations in the nation. The NCACC was established for the betterment of county government in North Carolina. North Carolina’s 100 counties are vibrant and essential partners with state government in providing services to the state’s more than eight million citizens. As the form of government closest to the people, counties offer a unique perspective that makes them critical players in decisions affecting their citizens. The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners serves as the counties’ advocate before the executive, legislative and judicial branches of state government. Boards of commissioners in every county are eligible for membership in the Association. Collectively through the Association, they strive to preserve and protect the authority and ability of county governments to deliver the services for which they are responsible. The Association employs a professional staff to run the day-to-day operations and to provide expertise in the areas of lobbying, fiscal and legal research, communications, intergovernmental relations, information technology, field visits and risk management services.
Governance The Board of Directors The Board of Directors and its Executive Committee, both composed solely of elected county officials, make policy decisions to guide the Association and its staff through the year. The board consists of five officers (Executive Committee), 18 district directors, and five at-large commissioners.
Delegates from the 100 counties gather for an Annual Conference in August to vote on policies and select a president, first vice president, second vice president and third vice president. Commissioners from the 18 districts caucus to select their representatives for two-year terms on the Board of Directors. The president reviews the composition of the board and appoints five at-large directors to achieve balance in terms of race, gender, political party, geographical location and population. Because North Carolina is one of the strongest state associations within the National Association of Counties, North Carolina typically has three, and sometimes four, seats on the NACo Board of Directors. These NACo board members serve as ex-officio members of the Association’s Board of Directors. In addition, the president appoints three commissioners to serve as chairs of one of the Association’s seven steering committees and can appoint commissioners to chair special task forces established to study a specific issue. These commissioners also serve on the Board of Directors as ex-officio, non-voting members. Steering committees While the Board of Directors ultimately sets Association policy, it relies on the Association’s seven steering committees for guidance and recommendations. The steering committees (Public Education, Environment, Justice and Public Safety, Human Services, Agriculture, Taxation and Finance and Intergovernmental Relations) meet regularly to gather and consider information on emerging county-related issues. The steering committees provide the greatest opportunity for individual county commissioners to get more involved within the Association. Membership on the steering committees is open to all county commissioners as well as county staff who might have a particular interest or expertise. The Association staff provides administrative and technical support to each committee. If you are interested in serving on a committee, please fill out our form and mail it to the NCACC.
Legislative Goals process and committee  Every other year, the Association undertakes one of its most important and exciting activities – preparing a package of legislative goals that the Association's lobbying team and elected officials will pursue before the General Assembly. Each county may submit proposed goals to the Association through one of the Association's seven steering committees, who review the proposals and recommend their choices to the Legislative Goals Committee. The Legislative Goals Committee typically meets three or four times during the fall before the long session to discuss the proposed goals. The committee discusses the items and recommends a slate of goals to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors then fine-tunes the package and distributed it to all the counties. County commissioners from across the state convene at the Legislative Goals Conference in January to discuss and vote on the goals package. Each county has one vote. This process enables county commissioners to come to consensus on legislative priorities and speak with one voice on the issues of greatest importance to counties. Clearly, the Legislative Goals Conference is one of the most important meetings for the Association. Special Committees/Task Forces Urban Issues Forum
NCACC Urban Issues Forum explores alternate means of paying for schools
Services North Carolina county commissioners, officials and staff frequently seek resources and assistance from the Association. The Association staff treats all county officials as dear clients and works to assist in all realms of operation. Advocacy
Registered lobbyists advocate the counties’ interests before dozens of administrative, legislative and rule-making committees both during and in between legislative sessions. The Association’s team is typically ranked by the North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research among the top 10 percent to 15 percent of more than 250 lobbyists registered to advocate before the N.C. General Assembly. The Association also works at the federal level on specific issues that are of concern to the counties of North Carolina. Each year, the Association polls counties to determine what federal issues are of greatest interest, and then work with the N.C. Congressional delegation and NACo to address these issues. Research Fiscal: The Association can provide detailed comparative data about county finances ranging from property tax rates to per pupil expenditures for education. Each year, the Association canvasses counties and compiles a Budget and Tax Survey. Association staff also estimates fiscal impacts of proposed legal action. Legal: Association staff researches legal issues continually. Staff writes and files amicus briefs in support of counties that are involved in litigation that has statewide implications. Information Technology The Association staff monitors and represents counties’ interests on numerous state committees and task forces overseeing new technology, implementation and policy development. These include the Information and Resource Management Commission and the E-NC Authority. Communications The Association provides both internal communications to its members through mailings, faxes, e-mails, educational workshops and the NCACC home page on the Internet, and external communication to the print and broadcast media. Association staff is also available to provide consultation on media relations, news releases, public participation in county government, and related communication questions. The Association produces and distributes a wealth of information through the following sources:
Education Every year the Association sponsors or co-sponsors dozens of educational conferences on various topics to help county leaders better understand the issues they are facing.
Affiliate Organizations |
