Georgia County Government - May/June 2008 - (Page 53)

ResearchCorner The ACCG Policy Process – Your Key to Involvement lthough the 2008 legislative session just ended in April, it is time for the ACCG policy process to begin anew in order to prepare for the 2009 legislative session. Your input in this process is crucial to the success of our legislative agenda and in identifying those issues that are most important to counties. The policy process begins with the selection of the vice-chairman and chairman of each policy committee. These positions are selected by the ACCG president and are given to commissioners who actively participate in the policy process. The vicechairman and chairman each serve a two-year term. Once selected, they will meet with their assigned ACCG staff member in order to prepare for the first round of policy meetings in June. ACCG has six policy committees: General County Government, Economic Development and Transportation, Health and Human Services, Natural Resources and the Environment, Public Safety and the Courts, and Revenue and Finance. Each of these policy committees will discuss issues relevant to their area throughout the policy process. Although each committee will typically meet twice before the Fall Conference in October, many will create subcommittees to discuss those issues that require additional information or debate. At the final meeting, the committee will modify and adopt their policy platform. Th is platform will be finalized by the Resolutions Committee at the Fall Conference in October and then will be adopted by all voting members in attendance at the conference on the subsequent day. Once the platform is finalized, a priority list is generated by the Board and presented at each district meeting so that county officials and staff who were unable to attend the conference will be informed of our top issues and have an opportunity to ask questions. These policy groups are very important to our legislative process. In order for our organization to champion or defend issues, we need your input on the needs of our counties. Although the 2008 session is over, there are still several reoccurring issues that have an impact on counties such as trauma, tax reform and transportation funding. In order to advocate your position on these issues, we need your guidance. If you have not signed up for a policy committee, please get involved. The leadership positions are reserved for commissioners; however, county staff can participate as voting members on any committee. The more involved your county is in the process, the more your county will get out of it. ■ A By Michele NeSmith Research and Policy Development Director These policy groups are very important to our legislative process. In order for our organization to champion or defend issues, we need your input on the needs of our counties. ACCG has six policy committees. Each of these policy committees will discuss issues relevant to their area throughout the policy process. MAY/JUNE 2008 www.accg.org 53 http://www.accg.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Georgia County Government - May 2008

Georgia County Government - May 2008 Contents President’s Message County Matters ACCG 2008 Annual Meeting: Highlights County Focus: Clayton County Negotiating a Professional Service Firm Contract: Part 3 Counties Get Involved in Efforts to End Sexual Abuse of Children Smart Growth Scorecard Gives Communities a Way to Grade New Developments Wireless Technologies Critical for First Responders Research Corner: The ACCG Policy Process RDCs Assist the USS Georgia Flag Project Extension News: Animals Take Spotlight in Disaster Planning Georgia’s Grand Old Courthouses: Grady County NACo News: Green Initiative Launches Searchable Database Insurance News: ACCG Announces New Inmate Medical Savings Program County Parade Index of Advertisers

Georgia County Government - May 2008

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