1. Join the ACCA Advocacy Survey!
County Commissioners: Text the word “commissioner” to 22333
County Employees: Text the word “employee” to 22333

2. Once you hit send, you have JOINED the survey
DURING THE SURVEY: For each question, you will text the letter that corresponds to the answer of your choice to

3. Report from North Jackson
Sonny Brasfield, Executive Director Association of County Commissions of Alabama

4. Report from North Jackson
Unifying the County Voice
Strategic Plan is being implemented
Serves as guidepost for activities over time
Will require active support of entire Association and affiliate groups

5. Report from North Jackson
Unifying the County Voice
Charting path for full support of all 67 counties, especially on the difficult issues
Nurture culture that encourages input and ownership, while recognizing that compromise is necessary
Such input requires commitment from the membership
Support of incoming president Steve McKinnon

6. Report from North Jackson
Growing Leaders – PLAN 2018
Members of PLAN 2016 are already serving in leadership roles with Association
Program involves 20 second-term Commissioners
PLAN 2018 emphasizes Passion, Leadership, Accountability and Networking
Leadership retreat in September
Passion Projects to be reported next August

7. Report from North Jackson
Nurturing Working Relationships
Partnership with Sheriffs is beneficial for all
Communication lines with Tax Officials continue to grow
Optimistic that relationship with Probate Judges can mature over time
Essential for ONE Voice

8. Report from North Jackson
Focal Point for Infrastructure Improvement
2017 Session provided valuable lessons
Infrastructure MUST be an issue in every Legislative race in 2018
Counties must keep the issue on the forefront and must ask candidates for their commitment
A more unified support is essential

9. Report from North Jackson
Reenergizing Affiliate Organizations
Affiliates are at the heart of Association’s arsenal for improving and protecting counties
Staff changes and reorganization will lead to more time devoted to affiliates in coming year
Commissioners must renew support for the time and cost necessary for their staff to be leaders in this arena

10. Report from North Jackson
Education for County Employees
Continued increase in participation
Expansion to non-commission offices
Work groups evaluated and revised adjusting agendas during 2017
Staff work load for the Association is tremendous

11. Report from North Jackson
Education for County Employees
New emphasis on Engagement of more employees from more offices
Almost 300 county employees participated this year
Expansion of commissioner support is essential

12. Report from North Jackson
Alabama Jail Training Academy
Much-needed certification for jail employees
Partnership with Alabama Sheriffs Association (ASA) and National Institute for Jail Operations (NIJO)
Each class has exceeded 100 registrants this year
Total of almost 600 attendees

13. Report from North Jackson
Alabama Jail Training Academy
Some growing pressure to shift to regional delivery
Pilot class in Baldwin County later this fall
Additional track for Jail Administrators only will begin with pilot class in November in Prattville
Financial Support from Insurance Funds
Association Workload here is also significant

14. Report from North Jackson
Ballot Measures to be Implemented
Voters spoke loud and clear
House and Senate now take separate vote on proposed local constitutional amendments (Amendment 3)
Counties now have options on administrative decision-making (Amendment 4)
Will need to aggressively look for opportunities to use powers granted by Amendment 4

15. Report from North Jackson
Another Successful Legislative Session
Five Association ‘Strategic Goals’ accomplished
Numerous other legislative policies enacted
Amendment to Poll Books legislation very discouraging
Need for more engagement was clear

16. Report from North Jackson
Legislative Committee Restructure
Proposed by-law amendment
Only 33 counties even submitted a name for the new ACCA Legislative Committee by the deadline
Meeting for committee members after Business Session
Will serve in leadership role in the coming year
Change is essential for future success

17. Report from North Jackson
Reform Efforts
Juvenile Detention and Transportation
Emergency Management Accreditation
Solid Waste Siting Process
Medicaid Eligibility for Inmates
Legislative efforts to approve Local Sales Tax Exemptions continue to grow
Subsidy for Incentives for Rural Broadband

18. Report from North Jackson
Insurance Program Continues to Improve
Participation at all-time high
More than $3.6 million will be returned to participants this year alone
Safety “message” being implemented by counties but more emphasis is needed
Conversion to fully digital program on the horizon

19. Report from North Jackson
Property Insurance Growth
First full year will be complete in December
Only counties in Liability Fund are eligible for coverage
Participation of 39 counties during first year of operation far exceeds goals
Underwriting and implementation challenges have presented issues and consumed much staff time

20. Report from North Jackson
Property Insurance on Horizon
Additional counties have expressed interest in joining and confident growth will continue
“All Perils” coverage will be MAJOR benefit for counties going forward
Perhaps property coverage opens avenues to add even more liability participants

21. Report from North Jackson
Value of Insurance Programs
Do new Commissioners fully understand the importance and invaluable resource?
Requires support and understanding of the value of counties working “together” during good and bad times
Strength of a “county-owned” program rather than being subject to private carriers
False narrative of “keeping money at home”

22. Report from North Jackson
Debt Setoff Returning Money to Counties
$94,052 returned in 2015
$394,295 returned in 2016
$1,575,804 returned so far in 2017
2018 to include more Hospitals and others
What about your county?

23. Report from North Jackson
Joint Bid Program Saving County Dollars
Decade-old Joint Bid Program still very important
Saves counties money & Staff time
Revised bidding program for the coming year to allow for products to be more customized
Do new commissioners understand the importance of this program?

24. Report from North Jackson
QUESTIONS