County Commission | The Magazine January 2020 | Page 21

FROM THE COVER
local proceeds of any taxes as well as the
alteration of the allocation formula used to
distribute tax proceeds between the state and
its counties.
County Operations and
Budget Authority
Foundation Principle: The county governing
body serves as both the legislative and
administrative branch of government at the
local level – carrying out budgetary duties as
well as providing administrative leadership
for many functions. The budgetary, personnel
and administrative functions carried out by
the county commission are essential to the
financial and operational health of county
government in Alabama. The Association
opposes any efforts that will obstruct the
county commission’s ability to effectively
govern and to maintain the administrative and
financial well-being of the services delivered
by the county commission.
County Expenditures for
Compensation and Benefits
Foundation Principle: The county
commission is charged with making
budgeting decisions within the revenue
available to provide the most effective and
efficient services to the citizens in each of
the 67 counties. Legislatively-mandated
adjustments in salaries and benefits pose a
threat to the delivery of such services. For
this reason, the Association opposes any
legislation that mandates any expenditure
of county revenues for the payment of
compensation, salary supplements, expense
allowances, or benefits for current or former
government officials or employees.
Economic Development and the
Alabama Trust Fund
Foundation Principle: Alabama counties play
an ever-growing and vital role in the state’s
economic development efforts — providing
services, financial support and community
leadership necessary to attract and retain
important employers. Counties must be
able to access the revenue necessary
to carry out this function and must be
included in any reforms and initiatives that
alter Alabama’s law regarding economic
incentives and requirements. Revenue
from the Alabama Trust Fund is essential to
meeting these goals and must be protected
from unnecessary raids and expenditures.
The Association will actively oppose any
removal of revenue from the Alabama
Trust Fund and seeks to be a partner in
those economic development efforts that
emphasize a partnership between the state
and its counties.
Election Administration
Foundation Principle: Alabama’s election
laws must maintain an unquestioned level
of integrity and objectivity while avoiding
the wasteful spending of limited local and
state resources. Likewise, the reporting and
disclosure requirements placed on candidates
serve only to bolster such efforts to garner
public confidence in the election process.
The Association supports efforts to eliminate
many of the unenforceable and overbroad
provisions of Alabama’s election laws while
not generating additional unnecessary costs
or burdens at the local level.
Alabama’s Prisons and County Jails
Foundation Principle: 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
2. QUADRENNIAL GOALS: Flowing out of the Foundation Principles are Quadrennial Goals, with each one representing a legislative change
needed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of county government.
Sample: Quadrennial Goal related to Alabama’s Prisons and County Jails
To repeal the intermediate sanction provisions of the 2015 Alabama Prison Reform Act requiring counties to hold prisoners awaiting transfer to
State custody for the 45-day periods of incarceration for probation or parole violations.
3. LEGISLATIVE POLICIES: Also flowing out of each Foundation Principle, these Legislative Policies are specific statements about how
counties view detailed aspects of the issues. These are generally phrased as statements of support, opposition or belief.
Sample: Legislative Policy related to Alabama’s Prisons and County Jails
Opposition to pleading down individuals charged with a Class D Felony to a misdemeanor status for the purpose of those
convicted persons serving time in county jails rather than a state prison.
4. QUADRENNIAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS: This list of new laws shows the progress to date on Quadrennial Goals.
Sample: Quadrennial Accomplishment related to Alabama’s Prisons and County Jails
Act 2019-133
Changes to Sheriffs’ Feeding Accounts
This law established a statewide process to ensure all feeding monies are treated as public funds and clarified the sheriff is not
personally responsible for any shortfall in the feeding account. The law created a Prisoner Feeding Fund in each sheriff’s office and
required feeding monies to be received and disbursed separately from the other office funds. Among other changes, the law also
increased the state’s portion of the county inmate feeding allowance from $1.75 to $2.25 per prisoner per day.
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