CountyCast

It’s nearly impossible to overstate the value of county emergency services and the impact those services have on their communities. Even then, some departments go above and beyond and add a deeply caring and personal approach to their day-to-day responsibilities.

This is exemplified in Nash County, where one of this week’s guests, Brandon Taylor, manages the Community Paramedicine program, a cutting-edge project in the field of healthcare delivery. We’re also joined by Nash County Director of Emergency Services, Brian Brantley, who has more than 40 years of experience in county emergency services.

Relevant Links
Nash County Emergency Services - Department Site
Community Paramedic Program - LGFCU Award Evaluation
LGFCU Excellence in Innovation Awards - More Information

Since the NCACC’s founding 110 years ago, grassroots advocacy has been a hallmark of the organization's identity. Join us as we talk to the Association's President-Elect, Commissioner Kevin Austin, along with Government Relations Coordinator Hugh Johnson, to examine how challenges at the local level are addressed with innovative thinking that often results in important policy shifts at other levels of government.

Relevant Links

• Kevin Austin - Biography Page
• Hugh Johnson - Biography Page
• Stamey’s BBQ - Business Site
• Little Richard’s BBQ - Business Site
• FIBER NC Act - H431
• County Assembly Day - More Information

Given the shared notion that exercise, play, and outdoor space are vital for a thriving community, how can a county make sure it serves its residents in this area while being efficient with resources? Harnett County Assistant County Manager Brian Haney as well as Parks and Recreation Director Carl Davis join the show to talk about their award-winning solution to provide a community resource and share how other counties can replicate similar programs.

To find out more about the LGFCU Excellence in Innovation Awards and to submit your program for consideration, visit ncacc.org/lgfcuawards. The deadline to apply is May 31.

Relevant Links

Brian Haney - Biography Page
Carl Davis - Biography Page
Boone Trail Community Center & Library - Project Evaluation
Stephenson’s BBQ - Facebook Page
B’s BBQ - Facebook Page
Parks and Rec (TV) - Wikipedia

There is a wide scope of services that counties provide, from office administration, to waste management, to law enforcement — and all of these services carry risks which must be accounted for and minimized. NCACC Risk Control Manager Bob Carruth has built a career in navigating and educating on the liabilities that county governments face, all of which has earned him the unofficial title of “Safety Bob.”

Listen in as Bob shares his insights and personal stories on the nature of risk that counties work to manage, as well as new challenges that county leaders can expect to mitigate in the future.

Relevant Links
Bob Carruth - Biography Page
NCACC Risk Management Pools - More Information

It is a crucial role of the sheriff’s department to serve and protect the citizens of a county, and in New Hanover County, this includes building a network of support for formerly incarcerated individuals so that they “are released from jail with a plan, instead of questions; hope instead of worry,” through a project called Community1.

We’re joined by the founder of the Community1 program, Officer Anthony Johnson from the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, as well as Sarah Stoloff, an intern with the program, to talk about the collaborative process that brought about this one-of-a-kind project.

Relevant Links
New Hanover County - Sheriff’s Office Website
“Community1” program - Award Evaluation
LGFCU Excellence in Innovation Awards - Information Page

Foster care placement is a critical function of county Departments of Social Services. When children are in need of families, staff in these departments step in to coordinate and ensure the needs of children and the families that care for them are met. Join us as we talk with Alison Clark who leads these efforts in Cleveland County as a dedicated promoter of her county’s foster care program as well as a passionate advocate for children in need of homes in her community.

Relevant Links

• Cleveland County - Department of Social Services
• “Healthy Kids for Healthy Parents” - Program overview
• LGFCU Excellence in Innovation Awards - More information
• Bridges BBQ - Business page

One month into the legislative session, we check in on trending topics at the General Assembly and discuss how they might affect counties with NCACC Government Relations Coordinator Hugh Johnson. Listen in as we talk about state budget projections and how they play into the priorities of county governments across the state of North Carolina.

Relevant Links

• Hugh Johnson - Biography Page
• Consensus Revenue Forecast & State Budget Outlook - Fiscal Research Division Report
• Little Richard’s BBQ - littlerichardsbarbeque.com

In our first episode on the current legislative session, the NCACC’s Executive Director Kevin Leonard and Legislative Counsel Adam Pridemore bring you up to speed on education funding, a trending topic in the North Carolina General Assembly. Listen in for the backstory on how state and local leaders have long discussed the issue of funding schools, what the conversation looks like currently, and potential ballot measures heading into upcoming elections.

 Show Links

• Kevin Leonard - Biography Page
• Adam Pridemore - Biography Page
• Statement by the NCACC to Committee for the Study of Public School Finance - Article from 1958
• Persistence Pays... Senator Harry Brown’s Path To and For Education - CountyQuarterly Article
• 2019 Debt Affordability Study - NC Treasurer's Report
• Building North Carolina’s Future - Senate Bill 5
• County Funding of Public Schools - NCACC Resource Page

Six weeks in to her position as a county commissioner, Vickie Adamson from Wake County joins us to share her journey from candidate to elected official. Commissioner Darrell Frye, who has served in Randolph County for 37 years, also joins to add his insight into the important work that county commissioners do. Listen in to hear two perspectives on county government and how some issues are shared by both urban and rural residents.

• Vickie Adamson - Biography Page
  
• Darrell Frye - Biography Page
  
• College BBQ, Salisbury - Facebook
  
• Lexington Barbecue - Website
  
• Stamey’s BBQ, Greensboro - Website
  

Join us for a lesson on the nuts and bolts of county administration as told by Hertford County Manager Loria Williams and for a glimpse of how commissioners serve their counties from Onslow County Commissioner Mark Price.

• Loria Williams - Biography Page
• Mark Price - Biography Page
• G.S. 105-535 - Quarter-Cent Sales Tax
• Government Center - Hertford County
• Albert Ellis Airport - Onslow County