Write up what a NC county commissioner does and what influence they have

[ejaxon]

A brief paragraph describing what county commissions in NC do, how many commissions there are, and how many commissioners usually serve on one.

[ChrisTheDBA]

In a county commission form of government, a body of elected commissioners enact, interpret, and enforce local ordinances and administer them. They approve budgets, oversee spending and hire county employees.

Other responsibilities may include:

Issuing bonds Managing county parks Collecting and disposing of trash Managing pensions for county employees Assuring water quality Administering courts and jails Collecting property and sales taxes

In most cases, the elected commissioners appoint a separate professional administrator who carries out policies, hires and fires employees, and prepares a budget for the commission's approval.

[ChrisTheDBA]

The ELGL has partnered with a group of UNC or UNCC students to build an ethnic portrait of municipal chief executives and staff.

This might prove to be a good correlator. For instance, Wake County now has African American heads of the school board, commission, and county manager.

[LauraMB12]

additional info: how are county commissioners elected?

it varies by county. here's an overview of each county: http://www.ncacc.org/195/County-Election-Methods

[wandernat]

I made some notes from various county websites and the NCACC website about the role of county commissioner. Just copied and pasted from those sites - echoes what Chris posted above, for the most part. Hoping to write up a blurb soon.

NCACC http://www.ncacc.org/DocumentCenter/View/1094/White-Paper-Basics-of-North-Carolina-County-Government

In North Carolina, all counties use the council-manager form of government. The commissioners hire a professional manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of the county government, while the commissioners focus on county policies.

sets the county property tax rate and adopts the budget each year. The board also establishes county policies by adopting resolutions and local laws (ordinances).

In NC, administer social services and public health county-administered and state supervised

Counties are required to adopt a balanced budget

School boards are separately elected by the citizens and have responsibility for education policies and setting the school system’s budget. but Counties in North Carolina are statutorily required to build and maintain school facilities

DARE https://www.darenc.com/departments/board-of-commissioners/about

The Board of Commissioners serves the people of Dare County by carrying out the responsibilities set forth by the North Carolina General Statutes, including:

Adopting an annual budget Establishing the property tax rate Conducting public hearings and meetings Establishing fees and comprehensive use plans Setting policies, goals and objectives to direct County growth Entering into written contractual or legal obligations for the County Adopting ordinances, rules and regulations for the general welfare

ORANGE [http://www.orangecountync.gov/departments/board_of_county_commissioners/duties_of_a_cc.php Duties of a County Commissioner](http://www.orangecountync.gov/departments/board_of_county_commissioners/duties_of_a_cc.php Duties of a County Commissioner)

Counties in North Carolina are governed by an elected board of county commissioners. In Orange County, commissioners serve four-year terms. The Board of County Commissioners have many duties and authorities, including:

Adopting the county's annual budget by June 30 of each year Establishing the annual property tax rate Appointing the county manager, county clerk, county attorney and tax administrator Appointing various officials and representatives to advisory boards and commissions Providing funding for construction of public school facilities for both public school systems in the county Determining level of local current expense funding for both public school systems in the county (Orange County currently ranked No. 1 in the state in local per pupil funding for 2015-16 year) Regulating land-use and zoning outside municipal boundaries Providing for safety and welfare of all Orange County residents Long-range planning for county needs (Capital Investment Plan) Photo of County CommissionersEnacting local ordinances Calling for bond referenda Entering into contracts Establishing new programs and departments Serve as liaisons to local, state and federal boards and commissions

GUILFORD http://www.myguilford.com/boc/

The Commissioners are responsible for adopting the annual budget and establishment of the property tax rate. They adopt ordinances, or local laws, that govern issues such as development, noise, and animal control. Commissioners are also responsible for appointing volunteers to serve on various advisory Boards and Commissions.

NEW HANOVER https://commissioners.nhcgov.com/us/duties-responsibilities/

The Board is charged with making policy for the administration of County government within the framework of the laws of the State of North Carolina. Counties are partners with the State in providing such programs as health, social services, mental health care, community colleges, and public schools. The Board is responsible for providing and executing policies concerning the operation of the County, enacting local ordinances, and appointing citizens to various boards and advisory commissions. The Board is also responsible for adopting the annual budget which includes establishing the tax rate.

DAVIE https://www.daviecountync.gov/107/County-Commissioners

Responsibilities The Board of Commissioners is responsible for Adopting an annual budget to operate the county departments Adopting and implementing county ordinances Appointing the county manager to administer, oversee, and coordinate the activities of the county departments Planning county government and development Setting county policies Setting the county property tax rate

GASTON http://www.gastongov.com/government/county_commission/index.php

The Board is charged with providing policy direction for the administration of County government and providing for the efficient operation of government services. The Board has established their Priorities as job creation and economic development, education, healthy communities, public safety and quality of life, and strive to incorporate these priorities as guidelines for future policy decisions. The major duties of the Board of Commissioners include assessing and assigning priorities to the needs of the County, adopting an annual balanced budget, establishing the annual property tax rate, maintaining a responsible fiscal policy, and enacting local ordinances. Commissioners are also responsible for appointing volunteers to serve on various advisory boards and commissions.

[jasonajones73]

@wandernat - here is a link to a couple of great resources that you may find helpful - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1V0BvTqh3ycI-QPTqx4hW_sOHuGl7fnsw?usp=sharing