CountyCast: Recent Episodes
North Carolina Association of County Commissioners
CountyCast is a podcast series from the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners designed to educate listeners about the level of government closest to the people – counties.
Join host Amber Harris as we share county stories from North Carolina, help people understand county government’s impact and why it matters, and attempt to entertain while celebrating counties and our members.
In this episode, we're joined by NC Senator Lisa Barnes, who is in her first term at the General Assembly, and Commissioner Sue Leggett, who is in her first term on the Nash County Board of Commissioners. Hosts Amber Harris and Ben Christoph find out from their guests how backgrounds in agriculture and commitments to their communities have spurred connections between these two elected officials at the county and state levels.
In this episode, we're joined by NC Senator Lisa Barnes, who is in her first term at the General Assembly, and Commissioner Sue Leggett, who is in her first term on the Nash County Board of Commissioners. Hosts Amber Harris and Ben Christoph find out from their guests how backgrounds in agriculture and commitments to their communities have spurred connections between these two elected officials at the county and state levels.
We kick off the fourth season of CountyCast with NC Representative Terry Garrison, who is in his third term at the General Assembly, and Commissioner T. Davis, who is in his second term on the Warren County Board of Commissioners and serves as NCACC First Vice President. Hosts Amber Harris and Ben Christoph find out from their guests how collaboration between their respective branches of government can work together for the betterment of their communities.
We kick off the fourth season of CountyCast with NC Representative Terry Garrison, who is in his third term at the General Assembly, and Commissioner T. Davis, who is in his second term on the Warren County Board of Commissioners and serves as NCACC First Vice President. Hosts Amber Harris and Ben Christoph find out from their guests how collaboration between their respective branches of government can work together for the betterment of their communities.
The basic principles of creating laws — bill drafting, committee discussion, and passage between the two chambers of the legislature — is fairly well understood. What happens in between, then? What exactly does it mean when proposed bills "go to marinate?" In the throes of the legislative short session, CountyCast host Amber Harris, NCACC's Director of Government Relations, sat down with NC Representative and Chair of the Rules Committee Destin Hall to find out the specifics of how legislation passes through the halls of the General Assembly.
Relevant Links
Rep. Destin Hall — Biography Page
The basic principles of creating laws — bill drafting, committee discussion, and passage between the two chambers of the legislature — is fairly well understood. What happens in between, then? What exactly does it mean when proposed bills "go to marinate?" In the throes of the legislative short session, CountyCast host Amber Harris, NCACC's Director of Government Relations, sat down with NC Representative and Chair of the Rules Committee Destin Hall to find out the specifics of how legislation passes through the halls of the General Assembly.
Relevant Links
Rep. Destin Hall — Biography Page
In celebrating the most prominent Christmas decoration in the most distinguished house in the United States, we recap a special White House Christmas tree send-off from the Ashe County courthouse and talk with Tim O'Connor, Executive Director of the National Christmas Tree Association, about the process to select the winning tree.
Relevant links
National Christmas Tree Association: realchristmastrees.org
NC Christmas Tree Association: ncchristmastrees.com
Ashe County Government: www.ashecountygov.com
"The Preacher's Wife": www.imdb.com/title/tt0117372
"National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation": www.imdb.com/title/tt0097958
The winding, lurching road of vaccine development quickly turned in to a speedy superhighway of vaccine distribution in the United States as the calendar turned to 2021, and true to much of the efforts to mitigate COVID-19, counties were placed at the front and center of the response. Speaking to how vaccination efforts have looked from the mobilization of large networks, to community administration, to the emptying of the vials, we're joined by Hattie Gawande, Senior Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs Advisor from NC DHHS; Gibbie Harris, the Public Health Director from Mecklenburg County; and Brandy Quinn, a Nurse Supervisor from the Onslow County Health Department. Our "Dish With a Commish" spotlight is on Randolph County Commissioner Darrell Frye.
- NC DHHS Office of Government Affairs — www.ncdhhs.gov
- Mecklenburg County Health Department — www.mecknc.gov
- Onslow County Health Department — www.onslowcountync.gov/149/Health
- Redneck BBQ Lab — theredneckbbqlab.com
- 12 Bones Smokehouse — www.12bones.com
- Healthier Together - Health Equity Action Network — covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines/nc-vaccine-strategy/healthier-together-health-equity-action-network
Often, libraries bring to mind simple images like rows of books, stacks of magazines, and strict librarians quieting noisy visitors with a harsh shushing. This episode's guests remind us to not judge a book by its cover as they walk us through the innovative and indispensable work their county libraries have done in providing a community hub to their citizens while balancing COVID-19 precautions. For some perspective on their unique approaches, we're joined by library directors Siobhan Loendorf from Catawba County and Kim Bellofatto of Madison County. Our "Dish With a Commish" spotlight is on Guilford County Commissioner Kay Cashion.
Catawba County Library System — www.catawbacountync.gov/county-services/library/
Madison County Libraries — www.madisoncountylibrary.net
Catawba County Library to Go Program — www.ncacc.org/librarytogo
High Ridge BBQ — www.highridgeadventures.com
JD's Smokehouse — www.jds-smokehouse.com
When others are playing, you will find county parks and recreation departments working — looking to bring entertainment, social engagement, and exercise opportunities to their counties. How, then, did parks and rec managers carry out these responsibilities in the height of COVID-19 when opportunities for getting together needed to be restricted? How has it changed opportunities for recreation departments going forward? To answer these questions and discuss the challenges, highlights, and peculiar controversies of their roles are Bryan Graham, Scotland County Parks and Recreation Director, and Byron Haigler, Cabarrus County Active Living and Parks Assistant Director.
- Cabarrus County Active Living and Parks - cabarrus.preview.dev/departments/active-living-parks
- Scotland County Parks and Recreation - www.scotlandcounty.org/427/Parks-Recreation
- Cabarrus County Finders Keepers - Cabarrus Co. Facebook Page
- Scotland County Geocache - Scotland Co. Facebook Page
- Discover Footgolf - www.footgolf.net
- Papa Bill's B.B.Q. - g.page/papa-bill-s-b-b-q
- Keaton's Barbecue, Inc. - keatonsoriginalbbq.com
With counties being the level of government closest to the people, the youngest citizens in those communities cannot be overlooked when ensuring that basic needs are met, especially in the midst of a pandemic. How does it look for counties to serve those youth who have few channels to make their ideas and challenges known? Why is supporting children so vital for the future of a county? To give practical responses to those questions and discuss how their counties are investing in children, we're joined by Transylvania County Manager Jaime Laughter and Cate Elander, Durham County Early Childhood Coordinator.
- Jaime Laughter Bio Page - https://www.transylvaniacounty.org/staff/jaime-laughter
- Durham City-County Strategic Youth Initiative - www.dconc.gov/county-departments/
- "Transylvania County's Partnership Approach to Early Childhood Outcomes" - CountyQuarterly Fall 2018
- Durham Office on Youth Annual Report - www.dconc.gov/county-departments/departments-a-e/county-manager/special-projects/office-on-youth-annual-reports
Tasked with carrying out one of the most impactful elections in the history of the United States, North Carolina's counties navigated their duty among extraordinary and demanding conditions. As CountyCast continues to tell the story of COVID-19 response from the county perspective, we talk to two county elections directors, Sara Knotts of Brunswick County and Pandora Paschal of Chatham County, to tell us how their teams managed to administer a historic election while keeping ballots secure and voters safe.
- Brunswick County Board of Elections — www.brunswickcountync.gov/elections
- Chatham County Board of Elections — www.chathamcountync.gov/government/departments-programs/board-of-elections
- Combating Misinformation (NC State Board of Elections) — www.ncsbe.gov/about-elections/election-security/combating-misinformation
- How secure is my ballot? | Counties make elections work — Season 2, Episode 1
- "That's now how this works" ad — www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aq_1l316ow8
We invite you to the table this week for expert insight on top-of-mind issues for NC counties during this legislative session, as well as trending topics from #NCPol and the implications from legislative topics in the headlines. Two insiders and General Assembly aficionados, NCACC Government Relations Director Amber Harris and Legislative Counsel Adam Pridemore, pull up a chair with CountyCast producer Ben Christoph to give listeners a glimpse into the happenings on everything from American Rescue Plan funding to county priorities like broadband access and protecting county revenues.
Amber Harris Staff Directory Page - www.ncacc.org/?s=amber&post_type=staff
Adam Pridemore Staff Directory Page - www.ncacc.org/?s=adam&post_type=staff
NCACC Advocacy Hub - www.ncacc.org/advocacyhub
Counties are often required to think outside the box in order to meet a wide spectrum of needs with limited resources. In recognition of counties getting creative to solve problems, NCACC partners with the Local Government Federal Credit Union to present the Excellence in Innovation Awards to county-led programs that exemplify revolutionary thinking and a collaborative spirit. In this episode, we highlight two recipients of the 2020 awards: Tamara Smith, of the Behavioral Health Collective in Union County; and Dave Walker, of the High Country Food Hub in Watauga County.
Behavioral Health Collective: www.unioncountync.gov/departments/social-services/behavioral-health-collaborative
High Country Food Hub: www.highcountryfoodhub.org/about
LGFCU Excellence in Innovation Awards: www.NCACC.org/LGFCUawards
Stamey’s BBQ: www.stameys.com
Bringing back a favorite episode from season one with a COVID-era reprise, we sit down with a newly-elected commissioner and a veteran commissioner to hear their perspectives, see what they’ve learned, and what we can learn from them about their time in office. Our seasoned commissioner, with a decade of experience holding office, is Burke County Commissioner and NCACC 2nd Vice President Johnnie Carswell; and our newcomer is first-term Chatham County Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores.
Johnnie Carswell Bio: www.burkenc.org/156/Johnnie-Carswell
Chatham County Board of Commissioners Bios: www.chathamcountync.gov/government/board-of-commissioners/
NCACC Priority Legislative Goals Info: www.ncacc.org/advocacyhub
JD’s Smokehouse: www.jds-smokehouse.com
Local health departments administer critical health services and information to their communities. When the pandemic took hold, public health workers were in the center of the response and had to rethink the way they work. To take us behind the scenes for a look at how local health departments have adapted in response to COVID-19, we are joined by two county public health directors: Susan Hayes, from Randolph County, and Joshua Swift, from Forsyth County. Our guest for “Dish With a Commish” is George Dunlap, Chair of the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners.
Susan Hayes - www.ncalhd.org/directors/randolph/
Joshua Swift - www.co.forsyth.nc.us/publichealth/bio.aspx
DWAC guest, Commissioner George Dunlap - www.mecknc.gov
Across North Carolina, county offices are typically bustling with people seeking information and resources, staff carrying out county business, and elected officials implementing policy and leading their communities. In a matter of weeks, these units of government had to pivot and strategize on how to provide essential services without any point of reference or handbook on how to navigate a pandemic. To bring perspective on what this shift has looked like, we are joined by Edgecombe County Commissioner Viola Harris and Edgecombe County Manager Eric Evans.
Edgecombe County Commissioners Page - www.edgecombecountync.gov/residents/meet_our_commissioners
Edgecombe County Manager Page - /www.edgecombecountync.gov/departments/county_manager
Hurricanes, floods, mudslides, pandemics—county emergency operations are on the front lines of disaster response and answer the call any time crises strike. COVID-19 has presented a challenge unlike any other, and NC Director of Emergency Management Mike Sprayberry and Deputy Director of Beaufort County Emergency Services Chris Newkirk join the show to talk about the response during the onset of the pandemic and the coordination between the state and counties required to address COVID-19.
- Director Mike Sprayberry - DPS.gov profile
- Beaufort County Emergency Management - Department page
- B’s BBQ - NC BBQ Society
- Sam Jones BBQ - Business website
- The Spongetones - Band website
Capping off a 7-month long process to set the legislative agenda for North Carolina’s counties, the NCACC held its Legislative Goals Conference in mid-January. Listen in to our conversation with two commissioners who guided and facilitated this important task as Legislative Goals Committee Co-Chairs: Commissioner Mike LaBrose of Caldwell County and Commissioner Renee Price of Orange County, who join the show to talk highlights, insights, and why the county story is necessary to advocate for.
- Mike LaBrose - Caldwell County Commissioners Page
- Renee Price - Orange County Commissioners Page
- NCACC 2021-2022 Legislative Goals Packet - PDF document
- “The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same: History of NC Public Education Funding” - CountyQuarterly Winter 2017 Article
As uncertainty reigned in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, small businesses were faced with shortfalls in revenue and meeting new standards for safety in short order, so in turn, counties stepped in to help convene resources and strategies to pull together support for their respective business communities. Joining us to unpack two stories of county response to the impact of COVID-19 on businesses are Tim Love, Director of Economic Development and Governmental Relations for Buncombe County and Sam Varner, Wellness Administrator Randolph County.
- “County Governments Quickly Rally to Help Small Businesses” - CountyQuarterly Spring 2020 article
- “Randolph County Leads Innovative Effort to Help Businesses and Municipalities Reopen Safely” - CountyQuarterly Summer 2020 article
- One Buncombe Fund - Info Page
- Parker's Barbecue - Business Page
We take a look at the issue of food system resiliency and the ways that counties have responded to challenges like food insecurity and coordinating food distribution - two issues that have been magnified during the COVID-19 pandemic. First, we talk to NCACC President Ronnie Smith, a Martin County Commissioner, about his Resilience Initiative, which seeks to promote and encourage counties as a key factor in strengthening North Carolina’s food ecosystem. We also talk with Crystal Smith, Warren County Extension Director, and Leigh Guth, Pitt County Extension Director, about innovative programs both counties have developed to help meet the need for food distribution within their communities.
Stick around for "Dish With a Commish," a new segment where we get to know one of our state's county commissioners and what makes them who they are.
- President Ronnie Smith - Biography Page
- Leigh Guth - Biography Page
- Crystal Smith - Biography Page
- Leroy James Farmers’ Market - Pitt County
- Warren County Farmers’ Market - More Info
- “Cooperative Extension offers backyard agriculture classes” - The Warren Record
- NC Food Insecurity Rates - NCACC Map Book, page 25
- Visit NC Farms - App information
- "Dish With a Commish" Guest - Frank Williams
As part of an organization that represents elected officials, NCACC’s CountyCast takes a deep dive into the impacts and implications regarding all things elections - from county boards of commissioners to statewide offices. To fill us in on takeaways, shifts in demographics, and possible future trends, we are joined by NCACC Associate General Counsel Paige Worsham and NCACC Legislative Counsel Adam Pridemore.
Relevant Links
- Unaffiliated Voter Percent Change Map - NCACC Map Book, pg. 33
- CountyCast S2 Episode 1: How secure is my ballot? | Counties make elections work
- NC State Board of Elections - Elections Results
- Paige Worsham - Contact Info
- Adam Pridemore - Contact Info
- Hear some funny cat noises during the podcast?… that’s surprise guest and CountyCast host Amber Harris’ cat, Rambo
- Elections coverage clips provided by C-SPAN
After a unique sophomore stint telling the county story, we talk with NCACC Executive Director Kevin Leonard as he flips the script to interview host Amber Harris and producer Ben Christoph. Listen in as we discuss how CountyCast has adapted as a platform to highlight the breadth of services counties offer and show that our members are able, willing, and eager to look for creative solutions to problems. Additionally, we take a look forward on what’s to come in season three and square up to our collective taste on North Carolina barbecue.
Relevant Links
- Kevin Leonard - Biography page
- NACo Achievement Award - Award profile
- Barbecue Center - Facebook page
- Buxton Hall Barbecue - Business page
- Leave a review for CountyCast - Apple Podcasts link
Continuing on in our series about disconnected youth and the Pathways Initiative, we highlight the McNair Mentors program and its efforts to increase the number of students seeking out educational opportunities after high school in Rutherford County. Listen in on our conversation with Monica Lee, Executive Director of the McNair Educational Foundation, as she discusses the impacts that a small group of caring and involved community members can have on multiple generations of students, as well as how counties can set out on facilitating a similar program.
Relevant Links
* Monica Lee - Contact Information
* McNair Educational Foundation - More Information
* Pathways Initiative - More Information
* Pathways Report - PDF
When Yadkin County Commissioner Kevin Austin launched the Pathways Initiative as president of the NCACC in late 2019, it sparked a movement to tackle the issues plaguing counties throughout North Carolina where youth find themselves disconnected from both educational advancement and employment opportunities. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges become increasingly pronounced and the need for innovative thinking to equip counties to guide youth towards meaningful and sustainable outcomes is more important than ever. Task force co-chairs Karen Howard, a Chatham County Commissioner, and Mike Labrose, a Caldwell County Commissioner, join the show alongside Laurel Edwards, NCACC Manager of Strategic Initiatives.
Relevant Links
- Kevin Austin - Biography Page
- Karen Howard - Biography Page
- Mike LaBrose - Board of Commissioners Page
- Laurel Edwards - Biography Page
- 2019 NCACC Map Book - PDF File
- Pathways Report - PDF File
- MyFutureNC - More Info
Take a jog, stroll, or bike ride on your local greenway, and you’re more likely to encounter a traffic jam of exercisers than ever before as more people make time outdoors a part of their new normal. Many times, these trails are the result of county partnerships and initiatives that have been decades in the making, and Wake County Vice Chair Sig Hutchinson discusses his passion for and knowledge of the establishment of these trails in this episode.
- Sig Hutchinson Profile (Wake County website)
- Trails and Greenways of Wake County (PDF guide)
- Greenspace app (App Store link)
- "Setting Sights High" Burke County’s Journey to Jumpstart Fonta Flora State Trail (CountyQuarterly Spring 2018)
- East Coast Greenway, NC section (East Coast Greenway website)
What can county leaders expect for relief funding? Where can county staff look for resources as they continue to provide essential services during the pandemic? To discuss how all levels of government are responding to and leading us through this global crisis, we talk to Leslie Mozingo, CEO and owner of Strategics Consulting, and Jim McCleskey, Director of the NC Washington Office for Governor Roy Cooper to provide insight on how congress is addressing the needs of North Carolina counties.
Relevant Links
- Leslie Mozingo Profile
- Jim McCleskey Profile
- NCACC COVID-19 Resources
- Short Sugar’s Bar-B-Q
What’s at stake in the 2020 census? Why does it matter for North Carolinians, and what are the implications for NC counties? From financial resources to legislative representation to economic development, census data will powerfully shape our communities. We revisit our conversation from season one with guests Bob Coats, Census Liaison and State Data Center Coordinator, and Mike Cline, State Demographer, as well as Dominique Walker, former Assistant to the County Manager in Bertie County, and Paige Worsham, Associate General Counsel with the NCACC.
Relevant Links
- CountyCast S1 Episode 21
- NC Office of Budget and Management Staff Directory
- Bertie County Government Website
- Paige Worsham Biography Page
- North Carolina Self-Response Rates
- North Carolina’s Hard-to-Count Communities Map
So much of the work of county government is built on the day-to-day pursuit of practical solutions to systemic and seemingly insurmountable challenges. To promote some of these stories, host Amber Harris and producer Ben Christoph relive the highlights from previous episodes featuring LGFCU Excellence in Innovation Award winners.
- LGFCU Excellence in Innovation Awards
- S1 Episode 9: How can counties promote foster/adoptive services? | “Seeing the light coming back”
- S1 Episode 10: Are counties working to combat recidivism in county jails? | “Building a network of care”
- S1 Episode 12: Parks and recreation getting creative in a rural NC county | Why does community buy-in matter?
- S1 Episode 14: An Inventive EMS Service | A Lifetime of Service in Emergency Management
- S1 Episode 23: Economic development and the underemployed | “Putting your money where your mouth is”
On this episode of CountyCast, we set out to dig up more information on an often overlooked organization—the Cooperative Extension. Listen in as we talk to Dr. Rich Bonanno, the Director of NC State Extension, as well as Wake County Extension Director Katherine Williams and Beaufort County Extension Director Rod Gurganus about the relationships they cultivate in their communities, and the critical services the Extension provide in North Carolina.
Relevant Links
- Dr. Rich Bonanno profile
- Rod Gurganus profile
- Katherine Williams profile
- TurfFiles
- Homegrown
What motivates young leaders to step up to serve in local government? How can the next generation be inspired to accept the call of being a county leader? Three fellows from the NCACC County Management Fellowship Program join the show to
discuss how their experiences in North Carolina counties have helped build a personal foundation of leadership. Joining us are Caleb Cone from Rutherford County, Allysa Rouse with Washington County, and Darian Cobb from Cumberland County, as well as Jason King, NCACC Director of Education and Conferences, who oversees this initiative built to cultivate the future of county leadership.
Relevant Links
- NCACC County Management Fellowship Program
- International City/County Management Association
- Jason King Biography Page
- Debt Setoff - More Info
- Parks and Recreation (TV show)
The right to vote is a fundamental part of democracy, a right that people have given their lives to protect. Fair and secure elections don’t just happen on their own. Currituck County Commissioner Kitty Etheridge and State Board of Elections Public Information Officer Patrick Gannon join us to talk about the hard work and collaboration between counties and state agencies that make this entire effort work.
Relevant Links
- Currituck County Board of Commissioners - co.currituck.nc.us/board-of-commissioners/commissioners-profiles/
- NC State Board of Elections - www.ncsbe.gov/index.html
- Currituck BBQ Company - currituckbbq.com/
- Weeping Radish Brewery - www.visitcurrituck.com/restaurants/family/weeping-radish-farm-brewery-and-eco-farm/
To wrap up season one, we headed to Bertie County where host Amber Harris met with commissioners John Trent, Ron Wesson, and Tammy Lee to talk about their “Tall Glass of Water” project, which is a county-owned public beach access on the Albemarle Sound and represents countless opportunities for recreation, education, and entertainment for the region.
Relevant Links:
- Commissioner John Trent - Profile Page
- Commissioner Ron Wesson - Profile Page
- Commissioner Tammy Lee - Profile Page
- Highlights from Bertie Beach Day 2019
- “Bertie County Manager to Retire” - Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald
- Site X - Coastal Land Trust
- Bunn's BBQ - Facebook Page
Early childhood education is an investment that pays dividends for decades. In this episode we’re talking to Lisa Hayworth and Micki Bare from the Randolph County Partnership for Children, and Pat Cronin from the NC State Institute for Emerging Issues, about how critical intervention early in a child’s life can make a huge difference, and examining how important the right partners and innovative thinking are in improving education systems.
Relevant Links
- Lisa Hayworth Profile - RandolphKids.org
- Micki Bare Profile - RandolphKids.org
- Pat Cronin Profile - NCSU IEI
- Randolph Partnership for Children - More Info
- NC State Institute for Emerging Issues - More Info
Big challenges require creative solutions, so we’re talking about how one county’s smart approach to the challenge of workforce development has paid off by attracting business, generating job placements, and creating proud legacies.
Hugh Sandoe, who works as the Analytics and Optimization Coordinator with Cleveland County, manages the Accelerate Cleveland program, and he joins us to talk about this award-winning solution to connect underemployed citizens to industries in search of skilled labor.
Relevant Links
- Cleveland County Government - clevelandcounty.com
- Bridges BBQ - bridgesbbq.com
- LGFCU Excellence in Innovation Awards - ncacc.org/lgfcuawards
- NCACC County Management Fellowship Program - ncacc.org/304/County-Management-Fellowship-Program
- Accelerate Cleveland - clevelandcounty.com
- “I Love Lucy” Chocolate Factory Scene - youtube.com/watch?v=BXeg22BL8d8
In this episode, we look for ways to address the fact that 50% of occupations available today will be gone by 2050, and ask what counties can do to help prepare the workforce of tomorrow for an evolving job market.
Bringing an abundance of initiative and an arsenal of ideas to this topic are NCACC President Kevin Austin, who serves as Chairman of the Yadkin County Board of Commissioners, and NCACC Manager of Strategic Initiatives Laurel Edwards, who join us as guests.
Relevant Links
- Kevin Austin - Profile Page
- Laurel Edwards - Profile Page
- “Occupational Change in North Carolina and the Future of Work” by Michael L. Walden
- MyFutureNC - Home Page
- President Austin’s NC Music Picks - Arrogance, The Fabulous Knobs, Let’s Active, Corrosion of Conformity
- NCACC Map Book - Link
- Yadkin County “Dream It, Do It” Program - Yadkin Ripple Article
- CountyCast Episode 13: Laboratories of Democracy | County Advocacy From the Ground Up
With the 2020 census approaching, we filled our studio with a census expert, a couple of data enthusiasts, and a county administrator to talk about why the census matters and how this population information can be used to make our counties even better places to live.
Joining us from the State Budget and Management office are Bob Coats, Census Liaison and State Data Center Coordinator, and Mike Cline, State Demographer. Also joining the show is Dominique Walker, Assistant to the County Manager in Bertie County, and Paige Worsham, Associate General Counsel with the NCACC.
Relevant Links
- NC Office of Budget and Management - Staff Directory
- Bertie County Government - Website
- Paige Worsham - Biography Page
- “Counting Our Counties” - CQ Spring 2019 Article
- Make NC Count - Information Page
- United States Census 2020 - Information Page
- Bertie County - Complete Count Committee
- Banana Split at Barbecue Center (Lexington, NC) - YouTube
On a special live recording of the show, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin drops by to impart perspectives on leadership from some of America’s most influential presidents and shares how experience in local government shaped each of their stories. Joining the conversation is Lillian McNeal, a 4-H youth representative from Guilford County, as well as NCACC Deputy Director and General Counsel Amy Bason, to talk about developing the skills good leaders need and the importance of mentoring the next generation of leaders.
Relevant Links
- Doris Kearns Goodwin - Author’s Page
- Amy Bason - Biography Page
- Guilford County 4-H - Facebook Page
As a long-standing yearly tradition, the NCACC convenes county officials from across North Carolina to meet in August to provide educational sessions, facilitate networking opportunities, and to conduct Association business. In a word, it’s a chance for commissioners and staff to connect. Joining us to talk about conference highlights and the theme of connection are Commissioner Jeff Phillips of Guilford County and NCACC Director of Education and Conferences Jason King. Listen in as they share why this conference has implications beyond the three-day meeting and what our host county of Guilford has been doing to exemplify connection and collaboration.
Relevant Links
- Guilford County Board of Commissioners - Information Page
- Jason King - Biography Page
- “The Family Justice Center: Restoring Hope with Care for Survivors, and Support for Caregivers” - CountyQuarterly Article
- GC STOP - Information Page
- “Leadership: In Turbulent Times” by Doris Kearns Goodwin - Book Link
- NCACC 112th Annual Conference - Information Page
Mercy triumphs over judgment. That’s not an idea that will make it in to many blockbuster action movies or courtroom reality TV shows, but when it comes to real life, nothing makes for a better story than the missteps of offenders being wiped clean. Those are the very stories that are being written in Cumberland County, as Commissioner Charles Evans and District Attorney Billy West, along with their team of partners, are working hard to achieve second chances, a new life, a clean slate, for some in their community.
Relevant Links
- Charles Evans - Biography Page
- Cumberland County District Attorney - Information Page
- Life is Worth Living - Project Fresh Start - Home Page
- Episode 10: Are counties working to combat recidivism in county jails? | Reducing costs and assisting incarcerated individuals | “Building a network of care”
- Second Chance Act - S562
The effort to end the practice of modern-day slavery that is human trafficking takes awareness and recognition of the business models in which this market exists. County employees are often positioned to notice the tell-tale signs of trafficking, and their observations and vigilance can be critical. Those in law enforcement and public health spaces often find themselves on the front lines of investigating traffickers and supporting victims.
To talk about the work counties are doing, as well as the steps they can take to tackle this “wicked problem” we’re joined by Renee Price, Vice Chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners and Margaret Henderson, Lecturer and Director of the Public Intersection Project at the UNC School of Government.
Relevant Links
- Renee Price - Biography Page
- Margaret Henderson - Biography Page
- Project No Rest
- Polaris Project
- Truckers Against Trafficking
- UNC School of Government
Some leaders assert their strategies with raucous arguments and a self-reliant mindset. Other leaders choose a wider scope, bringing additional voices to the table and building a spectrum of relationships in order to get things done.
As a lifelong leader and proven convener, Ray Jeffers has worked hard as a Person County Commissioner, among many other roles, to bring people and organizations together. He joins the show to talk about his story and share his vision as a candidate for office with the National Association of Counties.
Relevant Links
- Ray Jeffers Candidate Profile - NACo Site
- Person County - Official Website
- National Association of Counties (NACo) - Official Website
- The Disappointments Room - IMDb Page
- Schutzhund - Wikipedia Page
We get down to the nitty-gritty on the process to come up with the state’s $26 billion budget and discuss how it is that the NC house, senate, and governor develop and negotiate the spending plan. What do the three versions of the budget have in common? What are the sticking points in the budget and how do they impact counties? Why does it take so long? NCACC Director of Government Relations Johanna Reese and Legislative Counsel Adam Pridemore join us to talk about these questions and more.
Relevant Links
- Johanna Reese - Biography Page
- Adam Pridemore - Biography Page
- “Wilber’s Barbecue, one of NC’s iconic BBQ restaurants, has closed” - News & Observer
- "How are public schools funded, exactly? | A history of education funding, including school bonds and the lottery | What we love about NC" - Episode Link
- Our NC Movie Picks - "Best In Show," "Bull Durham," "The Campaign," "The Color Purple," "The Fugitive"
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
Two emergency management experts join the show this episode to talk about what counties do in preparation for and in the wake of disasters. Mike Sprayberry, Director of North Carolina Emergency Management, and Randy Thompson, Vice Chairman of the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners, discuss both the state and county roles in dealing with a natural disaster like Hurricane Florence and share what it looks like to lead collaboratively and recover in the face of emergencies.
- Mike Sprayberry Biography - NCDPS Link
- Randy Thompson Biography - Brunswick County Link
- Sprayberry’s BBQ - Business Link
- ReBuild NC - More info
- ReadyNC app - More info
From the snow-covered CountyCast studio, the NCACC's Director of Government Relations Johanna Reese along with Legislative Counsel Adam Pridemore talk with host Amber Harris about what legislation the General Assembly is working on during this unique session.
- Wilber's Barbecue - Google Maps
- Voter ID Bill - S824
- Hurricane Florence - S823
- Johanna Reese - Biography Page
- Adam Pridemore - Biography Page
Listen in as we talk about what good leadership in local government looks like and touch on the history of county government in North Carolina with NCACC President and Surry County Commissioner Larry Phillips and Executive Director Kevin Leonard.
Call From Craven - Amazon.com
BBQ Center (Lexington, NC) - bbqcenter.net
Commissioner Larry Phillips - Biography Page
In this episode, we talk with Paige Worsham, NCACC Associate General Counsel and Hugh Johnson, NCACC Government Relations Coordinator try to get at what the results of recent elections mean to counties. We discuss the changes in the super majority at the state legislature and what referenda were placed on county ballots, including the passage of local school bonds and local sales tax referenda.
We’ll also talk about former county commissioners' perspectives at the legislature and the critical role that counties play in elections.
- "Humidity, ballot size cause issues with voting machines in North Carolina, officials say" (The News & Observer)
- "Counting Votes Is Easy — Except When Mecklenburg Poll Workers Are Locked Out" (WFAE)
Welcome to CountyCast!
Twice a month, we'll bring you stories about the positive impacts local governments are having on peoples' lives. On our first episode, we're talking to two other NCACC staff members, Hugh Johnson and Paige Worsham, about recent elections and what they mean for North Carolina counties.
Find new episodes every other Wednesday at www.ncacc.org, or wherever you get your podcasts.
The first episode will be available November 14th!