You are the most significant driver of innovation
President’ s PERSPECTIVE
Hon. Bill Stricklend President
Turning obstacles into new possibilities
You are the most significant driver of innovation
4 | COUNTY COMMISSION
Imagine sitting down to work at your desk tomorrow morning, only to find all of your office supplies missing. No paper. No stapler. No printer or computer. Would you head home for the day, or would you improvise?
It’ s difficult to imagine, but there was a time when there was no such thing as a sheet of paper or a stapler to hold all the pieces together. There was no such thing as a printing press, and certainly no computers. But today, doing the massive work of county government would feel virtually impossible without them.
The amenities we enjoy – take for granted even – are all the result of one word: innovation. It always starts with a question – a question that, when asked, appears to have no answer. But inevitably, there is someone that answers the clarion call to look past the obstacles to see the possibilities.
It all boils down to people, because people are the most significant drivers of innovation. The true innovators of the world know they can’ t always play it safe. They know it requires doing the homework and having the courage to take a chance without fear of failure.
That’ s no secret to us. Innovation takes place in the halls of county government each and every day. For decade after decade, county leaders and employees have overcome numerous hurdles – from understaffing and budget cuts to inadequate technology and limited local power – by identifying innovative and creative solutions to address the needs and challenges they face on a daily basis.
This issue of the magazine is filled with examples of county innovation right here in Alabama.
Whether it’ s improving healthcare access for county employees or promoting county initiatives on social media, the programs highlighted here demonstrate how our counties are striving continuously to serve their constituents more efficiently and cost-effectively.
Our Association is no different. In the last 30 years alone, this organization has developed program after program that have yielded millions of dollars in savings for county governments. The joint bid program was the brainchild of county engineers who decided that there had to be a better, more efficient way for counties to purchase items like heavy equipment and corrugated metal piping. The program has now expanded to offer regional, pre-need contracts for debris removal as a result of the engineers’ hard work and commitment.
The Association’ s self-insurance funds also provide a service that is tailored to the needs of Alabama counties. The funds now return millions to counties in refunds each year, which can undoubtedly be attributed to the input and leadership of county employees and officials who provide their time and expertise to serve on the insurance boards.
And every year, for as long as I can remember, county leaders in Alabama have converged on the Association office to determine innovative ways to improve county government through the legislative process. Those efforts have resulted in laws that have greatly improved local government operations. The Limited Self-Governance Act is a prime example of county innovation. Almost one third of Alabama counties are now creating local programs