Guilford County has been hosting a number of statewide government-related conferences lately.
On Friday, Oct. 20 and Saturday, Oct. 21, the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) Board of Directors held a conference in Guilford County.
It was the group’s first meeting to convene under the Association’s new leader –107th President/Burke County Commissioner Johnnie Carswell, who kicked off a new year-long term in that job.
The NCACC brings county leaders together to work toward common county goals in the state – such as the end of unfunded mandates for counties and more help with expanding broadband internet. It’s a place where counties can take collective action in an effort to persuade state and federal lawmakers regarding laws and policies that affect counties in North Carolina.
“This group of county leaders will provide direction to our association, one of the few organizations in North Carolina that represents every single resident,” Carswell said this week. “This is a crucial time as counties work to collaborate on addressing the overdose crisis through the use of national opioid settlement funds.”
During the two-day meeting, various board members were sworn in to seats that represent counties from across the state.
Board members also heard a presentation on the state of the economy delivered by Dr. Mouhcine Guettabi, the associate professor of Economics at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, and the group also received a briefing on the association’s work in assisting counties with planning for and using national opioid settlement money.
Carswell provided an update to the board on his presidential initiative, “One More Thing,” which is “focused on empowering North Carolina counties to invest opioid settlement dollars for the greatest impact.”
The board also heard updates on legislative and financial matters.
