Commissioner Jacobs Participates in NCACC Board Meeting Focused on County Priorities and Future Goals
New Bern, N.C. — On Oct. 16-17, Durham County Commissioner Wendy Jacobs joined fellow members of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC or Association) Board of Directors in New Bern, N.C., for the board’s first meeting under the leadership of NCACC President and Hoke County Commissioner Allen Thomas. The two-day meeting brought together county leaders from across North Carolina to discuss the Association’s priorities, review legislative goals, consider financial and audit reports, and explore opportunities to strengthen the organization’s service to counties and their residents.
President Thomas opened the meeting with remarks outlining his vision for the Association and its work on behalf of North Carolina’s 100 counties. The agenda also included the swearing-in of board members, officer reports, board introductions and discussions focused on NCACC’s organizational mission, member engagement and future direction.
“I am excited and honored to be serving on the NCACC Board of Directors this year and representing Durham County in this statewide role. We just had a productive first convening in New Bern!” Commissioner Jacobs said. “I am looking forward to helping lead President Thomas’s Presidential Initiative as a co-chair of Forward Focus-Charting the Future of Social Services and partnering with county and state leaders on strategies to address the challenges and negative impacts we are experiencing with implementation of H.R. 1 while ensuring social services remain strong for our many residents in need.”
Friday’s sessions included an introduction focused on strengthening understanding and collaboration, followed by the review and approval of financial reports and other official matters. The board also received updates from NCACC executive committee members: President Thomas; President-Elect and Ashe County Commissioner Todd McNeill; First Vice President and Wake County Commissioner Shinica Thomas; and Second Vice President and Randolph County Commissioner David Allen.
On Saturday, President Thomas presented his presidential initiative, “Forward Focus: Charting the Future of County Social Services,” highlighting the challenges facing county departments of social services as they implement House Resolution 1 (H.R. 1) and the importance of coordinated advocacy to support the communities they serve.
“As we look to the future of social services, it will take all of us working together to tell our counties’ stories, highlight the challenges we face and advocate for the changes needed to support our communities,” said NCACC President Allen Thomas.
Board members also reviewed proposed legislative goals and the process for developing them, an important step in shaping the Association’s advocacy priorities for the upcoming legislative cycle. In addition, the board heard a report from the Property Tax Committee. For more information about the NCACC board, visit ncacc.org.