County governments in North Carolina are the critical link to citizens. As partners with the state government, counties provide many state services to citizens while also developing their own policies and programs to enhance and improve the quality of life for their citizens.
Counties are innovative and progressive, creating a variety of programs to meet the needs of their citizens while being fiscally responsible. To recognize the creativity and imagination of counties, the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) presents a number of awards each year to elected county officials, county employees and the counties themselves. The NCACC also recognizes outside groups for their work to advance county government through such awards as the Friend of the Counties and the Distinguished Service Award.
Outstanding County Commissioner Award
The M.H. “Jack” Brock Outstanding County Commissioner Award is presented annually to a commissioner who has demonstrated special achievements and efforts, primarily during the past 12 months, on behalf of county government throughout the state and/or region, not just within his or her county.
Hall of Fame
The NCACC Hall of Fame inducted its first class in 2011. Each year, the NCACC’s Executive Committee will bring forth new honorees to include in the Hall of Fame.
Friend of the Counties
The Friend of the Counties Award was created to encourage non-county persons and organizations to take significant actions that advance the interests of counties and the association.
Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award was established in 1970 and is given to a person other than a county official who, in the judgment of the NCACC Board of Directors, has rendered a truly outstanding and distinctive service to the cause of improving local government above and beyond his or her usual duties or occupation.
Profile in Service
In each issue of CountyQuarterly magazine, a county commissioner or staff member is recognized for outstanding public service through a special column called, “Profile in Service.”
Civic Excellence in Innovation Awards
In partnership with Civic Federal Credit Union, the NCACC offers the Excellence in Innovation Awards to recognize successful county programs that demonstrate innovative solutions and cost/resource savings for counties.
LELA Recognition Program Honorees
The Local Elected Leaders Academy, a partnership between the UNC School of Government and NCACC, offers local elected officials the knowledge and skills needed to lead and govern their communities.
Presidential Recognition Awards
A special designation awarded on occasion to individuals or groups deemed by the NCACC President as remarkable contributors to the well-being of North Carolina’s counties.
Press Release Recognizing 2021 Presidential Recognition Award Recipients