Newton Citizen

Photo by Kristen Ralph

COVINGTON -- Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Kathy Morgan will continue to shape county policy for the Association County Commissioners of Georgia this year, as she has been reappointed vice chairman of the General County Government Policy Committee.

The committee is the legislative advocacy and public policy development arm of ACCG. The association uses a consensus-based policy committee process to bring together county commissioners and county staff to discuss issues of concern to local government requiring changes to the state statute and legislation under consideration by the Georgia General Assembly.

"Policy committee leaders serve an essential function by leading their peers in the discussion of critical issues facing Georgia counties," ACCG Executive Director Ross King said. "These committees provide a forum for learning more about key policy issues, and our chairs and vice chairs are responsible for helping to lead the discussion and develop consensus."

The General County Government Committee handles issues involving the structure of county government and intergovernmental relations between counties, constitutional officers, the courts and federal, state and city governments. Other issues include elections, ethics, home rule, service delivery and planning and zoning.

"I am pleased to have the opportunity to serve as vice chairman of this committee and to work on legislative issues that have a direct impact on our community," Morgan said in a prepared statement. "It is important as chairman that I help our legislators understand how their decisions on these issues affect our county and the local level."

In addition to legislative advocacy ACCG also provides leadership development, civic and community engagement programs and membership services such as retirement and insurance programs and discounts for counties and county employees.