Guilford County, N.C. – October 22-23, 2021, the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) Board of Directors held its first Board meeting for the 2021-22 term, during which Board members were sworn in. A complete listing of Board members is included below.
The Board discussed a range of topics including recent developments on issues affecting counties at the NC General Assembly and how the Association is providing support to counties on navigating use of American Rescue Plan Act funds. NCACC is working closely with state and federal stakeholders to gather pertinent information and develop tools counties can utilize to ensure these funds are used effectively and within U.S. Treasury guidelines.
Thomas Stith, President of the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS), presented an update to the Board and shared, “There are many pathways for student success offered by the community colleges, including dual enrollment, early college, registered apprenticeships, and customized training programs.” President Stith noted that the NCCCS is undertaking a statewide strategic planning process, which began in September and will culminate with a comprehensive plan to be published summer 2022.
Stith also spoke about his recent meeting with NCACC President and Brunswick County Commissioner Frank Williams, during which they discussed Williams’ 100 Counties Prepared Initiative. The year-long initiative focuses on equipping county commissioners with the tools they need to lead effectively during emergency situations. Many NCCCS colleges offer emergency preparedness courses, and some courses are offered at reduced cost to local and state responders.
Stith commented that, “The time to prepare is not in the midst of emergency,” and spoke about the importance of state partnerships for effective emergency preparedness. The NCCCS’s focus on emergency preparedness represents one of many opportunities for collaboration between the NCCCS and NCACC.
The Board also heard an update on the 100 Counties Prepared initiative, which formally kicked off earlier this month with its first task force meeting. Task force co-chairs, Kay Cashion, Guilford County Commissioner, and Randy Thompson, Chair of the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners spoke to the Board about the productive meeting, and the direction the effort is headed in to design a training oriented around three components: communication, education and relationships. Williams reinforced the vision of the initiative saying, “We need to ensure every one of our commissioners can lead effectively when something heads their way.”
The Board approved new members of the North Carolina Property Tax Solution (NCPTS) Oversight Committee, which oversees the state-of-the-art property tax program, owned, and licensed by the NCACC. The NCPTS Oversight Committee decides collectively on investments for new software enhancements for the program and responds to member counties’ needs as they arise.
New NCPTS Oversight Committee members include Donnie Shumate, Tax Administrator, Hyde County – Small County member, Alan Lumpkin, Tax Administrator, Wayne County – Medium County member, and Darlene Burgess, Tax Administrator, Henderson County – Chair of Land Records and CAMA Committee.
Board members also heard a report on the Association’s finances and approved its annual audit report. The next NCACC Board meeting is scheduled for January 28-29 in Wake County.
For more information on the 100 Counties Prepared Task Force and its work, visit 100countiesprepared.com.
Editors: Print quality photos may be downloaded for use at: https://ncacc.smugmug.com/NCACC-Board-of-Directors—Octob/ Photo should be credited as follows: Photo courtesy Chris Baucom/NCACC.
The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners(NCACC) is a non-partisan organization, which represents the official voice of all 100 counties on issues considered by the General Assembly, Congress, and federal and state agencies. The Association provides expertise to counties in the areas of advocacy, research, risk management and education and leadership training.
2021-22 NCACC Board of Directors:
Frank Williams, Brunswick – President
Tracey Johnson, Washington – President Elect
Johnnie Carswell, Burke – 1st Vice President
Tare Davis, Warren – 2nd Vice President
Ronnie Smith, Martin – Past President
Kevin Leonard, NCACC – NCACC Executive Director
Tammy Lee, Bertie – NACo Director-Seat 3
Gloria Whisenhunt, Forsyth – NACo Director-Seat 2
Renee Price, Orange – Co-Chair, Legislative Goals
Mike LaBrose, Caldwell – Co-Chair, Legislative Goals
James West, Wake – Steering Committee Chair-Agriculture
Eddie Settle, Wilkes – Steering Committee Chair-Environment
Deb Hays, New Hanover – Steering Committee Chair-General Government
Brenda Vaughn, McDowell – Steering Committee Chair-Human Services
George Dunlap, Mecklenburg – Steering Committee Chair-Justice & Public Safety
Karen Howard, Chatham – Steering Committee Chair-Public Education
Wallace Nelson, Perquimans – Steering Committee Chair-Tax & Finance
Bob Kirby, Chowan – District 1 Director
John Horton, Hertford – District 2 Director
Theron McCabe, Craven – District 3 Director
Mike Forte, Brunswick – District 4 Director
Darrel Gibson, Scotland – District 5 Director
Jerol Kivett, Sampson – District 6 Director
Linda Brewer, Halifax – District 7 Director
Cedric Jones, Franklin – District 8 Director
Kirk Smith, Lee – District 9 Director
Louis Gregory, Moore – District 10 Director
David Allen, Randolph – District 11 Director
Gene Houpe, Iredell – District 12 Director
Scott Mulwee, Burke – District 13 Director
Todd McNeill, Ashe – District 14 Director
Myron Yoder, Polk – District 15 Director
Rebecca McCall, Henderson – District 16 Director
Gayle Woody, Jackson – District 17 Director
Terry Renegar, Davie – District 18 Director
Viola Harris, Edgecombe – Risk Pools Board of Trustees’ Representative
Lance Metzler, Rockingham – County Managers’ Representative
Randy Thompson, Brunswick – Task Force Co-Chair
Kay Cashion, Guilford – Task Force Co-Chair
Dempsey Bond, Martin – At-Large Director
Ed Booth, Beaufort – At-Large Director
Kevin Austin, Yadkin – At-Large Director
Charles Evans, Cumberland – At-Large Director
Pauline Campbell, Robeson – At-Large Director
Brenda Howerton, Durham – At-Large Past President
Fred McClure, Davidson – At-Large Past President
Ronnie Beale, Macon – At-Large Past President
Kitty Barnes, Catawba – At-Large Past President
Darrell Frye, Randolph – At-Large Past President
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