County Commission | The Magazine March 2019 | Page 25

FROM THE COVER
the wasteful spending of limited local and
state resources. Likewise, the reporting
and disclosure requirements placed on
candidates only serve 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
law while not generating additional
unnecessary costs or burdens at the
local level. 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.
Alabama’s Prisons and County Jails Foundation Principle: The State of
Alabama is responsible for administration
of state courts and public safety agencies
and for providing public health and
mental health services for the citizens of
this state. The Association believes the
Alabama Legislature should adequately
fund each state agency responsible for
the delivery of these critical government
services and opposes any legislative or
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 health care and the training
and compensation for officers presents
a challenge well beyond the reach of a
Justice and Public Safety
administrative efforts that mandate
counties to assume any responsibility for
these state functions or that force county
government to assume state functions due
to the state’s failure to adequately meet its
financial or administrative responsibilities.
Additionally, since local government plays
an important role in providing emergency
services at the local level, the Association
urges the Legislature to ensure there is
adequate funding for local programs
and that state and local agencies work in
partnership for the safety and well-being of
all citizens of this state.
Environment, Land Use
and Public Works
Foundation Principle: County government’s
role in the effective administration and
enforcement of Alabama’s law affecting
environmental issues, land use and public
works administration is often confusing.
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