Counties are often required to think outside the box in order to meet a wide spectrum of needs with limited resources. In recognition of counties getting creative to solve problems, NCACC partners with the Local Government Federal Credit Union to present the Excellence in Innovation Awards to county-led programs that exemplify revolutionary thinking and a collaborative spirit. In this episode, we highlight two recipients of the 2020 awards: Tamara Smith, of the Behavioral Health Collective in Union County; and Dave Walker, of the High Country Food Hub in Watauga County.

Behavioral Health Collective: www.unioncountync.gov/departments/social-services/behavioral-health-collaborative

High Country Food Hub: www.highcountryfoodhub.org/about

LGFCU Excellence in Innovation Awards: www.NCACC.org/LGFCUawards

Stamey’s BBQ: www.stameys.com

Bringing back a favorite episode from season one with a COVID-era reprise, we sit down with a newly-elected commissioner and a veteran commissioner to hear their perspectives, see what they’ve learned, and what we can learn from them about their time in office. Our seasoned commissioner, with a decade of experience holding office, is Burke County Commissioner and NCACC 2nd Vice President Johnnie Carswell; and our newcomer is first-term Chatham County Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores.

Johnnie Carswell Bio: www.burkenc.org/156/Johnnie-Carswell

Chatham County Board of Commissioners Bios: www.chathamcountync.gov/government/board-of-commissioners/

NCACC Priority Legislative Goals Info: www.ncacc.org/advocacyhub

JD’s Smokehouse: www.jds-smokehouse.com

Local health departments administer critical health services and information to their communities. When the pandemic took hold, public health workers were in the center of the response and had to rethink the way they work. To take us behind the scenes for a look at how local health departments have adapted in response to COVID-19, we are joined by two county public health directors: Susan Hayes, from Randolph County, and Joshua Swift, from Forsyth County. Our guest for “Dish With a Commish” is George Dunlap, Chair of the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners.

Susan Hayes - www.ncalhd.org/directors/randolph/
Joshua Swift - www.co.forsyth.nc.us/publichealth/bio.aspx
DWAC guest, Commissioner George Dunlap - www.mecknc.gov

Across North Carolina, county offices are typically bustling with people seeking information and resources, staff carrying out county business, and elected officials implementing policy and leading their communities. In a matter of weeks, these units of government had to pivot and strategize on how to provide essential services without any point of reference or handbook on how to navigate a pandemic. To bring perspective on what this shift has looked like, we are joined by Edgecombe County Commissioner Viola Harris and Edgecombe County Manager Eric Evans.

Edgecombe County Commissioners Page - www.edgecombecountync.gov/residents/meet_our_commissioners
Edgecombe County Manager Page - /www.edgecombecountync.gov/departments/county_manager

Hurricanes, floods, mudslides, pandemics—county emergency operations are on the front lines of disaster response and answer the call any time crises strike. COVID-19 has presented a challenge unlike any other, and NC Director of Emergency Management Mike Sprayberry and Deputy Director of Beaufort County Emergency Services Chris Newkirk join the show to talk about the response during the onset of the pandemic and the coordination between the state and counties required to address COVID-19.

• Director Mike Sprayberry - DPS.gov profile
• Beaufort County Emergency Management - Department page
• B’s BBQ - NC BBQ Society
• Sam Jones BBQ - Business website
• The Spongetones - Band website

Capping off a 7-month long process to set the legislative agenda for North Carolina’s counties, the NCACC held its Legislative Goals Conference in mid-January. Listen in to our conversation with two commissioners who guided and facilitated this important task as Legislative Goals Committee Co-Chairs: Commissioner Mike LaBrose of Caldwell County and Commissioner Renee Price of Orange County, who join the show to talk highlights, insights, and why the county story is necessary to advocate for.

• Mike LaBrose - Caldwell County Commissioners Page
• Renee Price - Orange County Commissioners Page
• NCACC 2021-2022 Legislative Goals Packet - PDF document
• “The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same: History of NC Public Education Funding” - CountyQuarterly Winter 2017 Article

As uncertainty reigned in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, small businesses were faced with shortfalls in revenue and meeting new standards for safety in short order, so in turn, counties stepped in to help convene resources and strategies to pull together support for their respective business communities. Joining us to unpack two stories of county response to the impact of COVID-19 on businesses are Tim Love, Director of Economic Development and Governmental Relations for Buncombe County and Sam Varner, Wellness Administrator Randolph County.

• “County Governments Quickly Rally to Help Small Businesses” - CountyQuarterly Spring 2020 article
• “Randolph County Leads Innovative Effort to Help Businesses and Municipalities Reopen Safely” - CountyQuarterly Summer 2020 article
• One Buncombe Fund - Info Page
• Parker's Barbecue - Business Page

We take a look at the issue of food system resiliency and the ways that counties have responded to challenges like food insecurity and coordinating food distribution - two issues that have been magnified during the COVID-19 pandemic. First, we talk to NCACC President Ronnie Smith, a Martin County Commissioner, about his Resilience Initiative, which seeks to promote and encourage counties as a key factor in strengthening North Carolina’s food ecosystem. We also talk with Crystal Smith, Warren County Extension Director, and Leigh Guth, Pitt County Extension Director, about innovative programs both counties have developed to help meet the need for food distribution within their communities.

Stick around for "Dish With a Commish," a new segment where we get to know one of our state's county commissioners and what makes them who they are.

• President Ronnie Smith - Biography Page
• Leigh Guth - Biography Page
• Crystal Smith - Biography Page
• Leroy James Farmers’ Market - Pitt County
• Warren County Farmers’ Market - More Info
• “Cooperative Extension offers backyard agriculture classes” - The Warren Record
• NC Food Insecurity Rates - NCACC Map Book, page 25
• Visit NC Farms - App information
• "Dish With a Commish" Guest - Frank Williams

As part of an organization that represents elected officials, NCACC’s CountyCast takes a deep dive into the impacts and implications regarding all things elections - from county boards of commissioners to statewide offices. To fill us in on takeaways, shifts in demographics, and possible future trends, we are joined by NCACC Associate General Counsel Paige Worsham and NCACC Legislative Counsel Adam Pridemore.

Relevant Links

• Unaffiliated Voter Percent Change Map - NCACC Map Book, pg. 33
• CountyCast S2 Episode 1: How secure is my ballot? | Counties make elections work
• NC State Board of Elections - Elections Results
• Paige Worsham - Contact Info
• Adam Pridemore - Contact Info
• Hear some funny cat noises during the podcast?… that’s surprise guest and CountyCast host Amber Harris’ cat, Rambo
• Elections coverage clips provided by C-SPAN

After a unique sophomore stint telling the county story, we talk with NCACC Executive Director Kevin Leonard as he flips the script to interview host Amber Harris and producer Ben Christoph. Listen in as we discuss how CountyCast has adapted as a platform to highlight the breadth of services counties offer and show that our members are able, willing, and eager to look for creative solutions to problems. Additionally, we take a look forward on what’s to come in season three and square up to our collective taste on North Carolina barbecue.

Relevant Links

• Kevin Leonard - Biography page
• NACo Achievement Award - Award profile
• Barbecue Center - Facebook page
• Buxton Hall Barbecue - Business page
• Leave a review for CountyCast - Apple Podcasts link