Advocacy services at state and federal government levels
Advocates at the state legislature, including promoting legislation beneficial to counties and opposing legislation that is harmful
Undertakes federal advocacy through the National Association of Counties and NCACC’s federal consultant
Policy expertise
Provides expertise in multiple areas, including health and human services, justice and public safety, education, finance, elections, environment and transportation, and to state executive and legislative staff on the effect of decisions on counties
Liaison between state agencies and counties
Regular communication on legislative developments
Reports on state government legislative and executive activities through speaking engagements, electronic newsletters, videos, podcasts, and webinars
Hosts webinars and provides information as needed to equip county managers and others on legislative actions and other hot topics
Offers year-round live and web-based education and leadership programs for newly elected and veteran county commissioners – often in partnership with the Center for Public Leadership and Governance at the UNC School of Government – to provide them the knowledge and skills needed to lead and govern their counties
Relationship building opportunities
Provides free access to networking forums including District Meetings, County Assembly Day and Steering Committee Meetings
Credentialing
Recognizes commissioners for their commitment to lifelong learning through the Local Elected Leaders Academy and the Advanced Leadership Corps
Youth development
Helps develop future county leaders through NCACC YouthVoice, which annually teaches county government and leadership skills to students ages 14-18
Provides support and funding for the NCACC-ICMA County Management Fellowship Program, which provides a hands-on, full-time mentoring experience for recent masters-level graduates to promote careers in county management
Administers Debt Setoff Program which returned $19.3 million to local governments in 2019 and $324 million since inception
Facilitates EMS Medicaid which returned $41.9 million to counties in 2018 and $471 million since inception
Awards program
Offers LGFCU Excellence in Innovation Program which awards $10,000 to county employees for innovative work and serves as a method to share best practices
Cost savings programs
Endorses and administers cost savings programs for purchasing, surplus material sales, vehicle fleet management, cyber security services, employee retirement and life insurance benefits, medical, dental, vision and prescription discounts for citizens, and management consulting
Offers North Carolina Property Tax Solution (NCPTS), a resource available to counties to streamline and optimize all aspects of the property tax process
Collaborative nine-member Oversight Committee that serves to continuously improve NCPTS and promote best practice sharing among member counties
Proactive consultation and legislative monitoring of tax-related developments by David Baker, NCACC Director of Tax and Revenue Outreach and former Director of the Local Government Division of NC Division of Revenue
County operations consultation
Advises county management by providing ongoing outreach and support on developing budgets and trouble-shooting county-specific issues
County strategic planning support
Provides retreat facilitation and board leadership development, resource and consultation teams and recruitment assistance for vacant county positions
Serves as a resource to county commissioners, county attorneys and county staff on understanding legal aspects of issues impacting counties
Files amicus briefs with appellate courts on county issues of statewide significance
Analyzes legal impacts of proposed legislation
Provides regular communications and forums to keep counties apprised of developing legal matters that could impact counties
Annual Attorneys Conference
Organizes statewide Annual Attorneys Conference to provide continuing legal education credits pertinent to counties and a forum for county attorneys to discuss common issues and approaches
Communicate the positive impact of county government
Tells the story of North Carolina counties through CountyQuarterly magazine, which is mailed to all county commissioners, managers, clerks, legislators, county libraries and others, and CountyCast podcast, distributed on a bi-monthly basis
Distributes periodic videos, newsletters and emails to keep membership and others informed on Association and county-related issues
Tools to help counties tell their stories
Provides “take home” press release templates for customizing and sending to local media to promote county involvement in Association events and meetings
Provides resources and other information and news through Association’s website, www.ncacc.org