County Commission | The Magazine January 2020 | Page 20

FROM THE COVER
Alabama County Platform 2020
Alabama County
Foundation
Principles
The 11 Foundation Principles of the Association of County Commissions
of Alabama (“Association”) were established by the Association’s
membership to promote the core values and positions of Alabama’s 67
county governments. These foundation principles form the cornerstone
from which all county policy positions, legislative priorities and general
legislative advocacy are derived in order to promote the improvement of
the State of Alabama and its instrumentalities.
Alabama Governmental Structure Mandated and Unfunded Legislation Revenue Protection
Foundation Principle: The relationship
between Alabama counties and the Alabama
Legislature is established in constitutional
and statutory law. The preservation of a
constitutional relationship between the State
of Alabama and its counties, as well as a
workable and productive statutory allocation
of responsibilities between the state and
the counties, is essential to the delivery
of services. Therefore, Alabama counties
encourage the Alabama Legislature to fully
fund state agencies and oppose the shifting
of costs and administrative responsibility of
state functions to the local level through the
state budget process. Foundation Principle: Without the authority
to levy taxes or even collect fees for services,
Alabama counties constantly struggle to
provide an adequate level of services to
ensure health, safety and prosperity of local
citizens. Alabama’s constitution provides
protection from the enactment of mandated
and unfunded responsibilities onto county
government to ensure the financial integrity
of the commission. The Association strongly
supports the intent of Alabama’s constitutional
language prohibiting the enactment of
unfunded mandates and opposes the
establishment of such mandates through
federal or state administrative actions. Foundation Principle: Counties are partners
with the State of Alabama in the collection
of revenue and the delivery of services
funded by the collection of such revenue.
Many taxes collected by the counties as well
as the state are earmarked for distribution
between the two levels of government to
ensure the provision of services. Likewise,
the Legislature considers the abatement or
exemption of many taxes levied by or on
behalf of the county commission. County
services cannot be funded during either the
short- or long-term if the necessary revenue
is interrupted. The Association opposes
mandated abatement or exemption of the
About the Alabama
County Platform
For 67 counties to speak with “One Voice,” there must be agreement on
what will be said. Every move the Association makes on policy is grounded
in the Alabama County Platform, a single document with many authors. The
legislative positions and goals staked out here reflect the input of every
county commission as well as leaders from affiliate and minority groups.
The ACCA Legislative Committee, comprised of representatives from all 67 counties, prepared the 2020 Platform for review and approval
by the ACCA Board of Directors. The board’s recommendation was then approved by a vote of the full Association membership at the
Legislative Conference in early December.
COMPONENTS OF THE PLATFORM
The Platform is organized in four parts:
1. FOUNDATION PRINCIPLES: In just a few sentences, each of the 11 Foundation Principles states the county position in timeless, “big
picture” fashion. If the only thing someone knew about Alabama counties were the Foundation Principles, he or she would have a solid
framework for understanding core issues and responsibilities.
Sample: Foundation Principle — Alabama’s Prisons and County Jails
Alabama’s prison system faces a crisis not unlike the crisis duplicated on a daily basis in each of the 67 county jails. The watchful eye of the federal
courts, the never-ending expense of providing jail services, the growing costs of healthcare, and the training and compensation for officers presents a
challenge well beyond the reach of a county commission devoid of revenue-generating powers. On the other hand, an efficient local law enforcement
agency and jail is necessary to maintain order and to ensure the safety of all Alabamians. The Association is gravely concerned that all reform efforts,
statutory changes or administrative rules be considered only in light of direct, indirect and unintended consequences generated at the county level.
20 | JANUARY 2020