Capitol Connection E-Newsletter – July 2019

2019 Policy Committee Meeting Agendas Now Available

Have an interest in attending a Policy Committee Meeting? This year, you have a unique opportunity to attend committee meetings, in either the northern or southern region of the state, which will be held over the span of two days. Meetings for six of the association's seven standing policy committees will be divided into two days, giving you the opportunity to choose which meeting(s) you would like to attend. Register for the meeting(s) of your choice and visit the ACCG website to discover what topics will be covered at each meeting. All officials are welcome to attend and are strongly encouraged and welcomed to provide their input into the groups’ deliberations. Note: Y ou do not have to be a member of a policy committee to participate .

Meeting agendas and locations can be found here .

Workshop on Implementing Georgia’s Small Cell/5G Law: What Local Governments Must Know

Please join representatives from ACCG, GMA, AT&T and Verizon for a training workshop on Georgia’s new small cell permitting law. The “Streamlining Wireless Facilities and Antennas Act”, effective October 1, 2019, resulted from two years of negotiations between wireless providers and local governments. It establishes a statewide, streamlined process covering all aspects of the permitting of small cell poles, antennas and equipment in local governments’ rights-of-way.

The workshop will review the new small cell technology; various aspects of the law that local governments must know; local permitting conditions and requirements; what can be expected in the roll out of small cells; and crafting appropriate local ordinances to comply with the law. Click here for more details.

Join Us in Athens for the  2019 Legislative Leadership Conference

Registration for the 2019 Legislative Leadership Conference (LLC) is now available! This year's conference will take place October 2-4 at The Classic Center  in Athens-Clarke County. Georgia's county officials will embark on three days full of continuing education opportunities in the ACCG Lifelong Learning Academy and hot topics session. County officials will also engage in policy discussions to finalize the 2020 ACCG Legislative Agenda and Legislative Priorities. Stay tuned for registration!

DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson Elected 2nd Vice President of National Association of Counties (NACo)

Congratulations to Commissioner Larry Johnson on being elected to serve as NACo's 2nd Vice President. " Commissioner Johnson’s platform included world-class infrastructure, entrepreneurship, innovation and prevention." With more than 17 years of government experience, Johnson brings a wealth of knowledge to help NACo continue its mission of strengthening America's counties. More on Commissioner Johnson's new role can be found here. Commissioner Johnson is pictured on the far right.

2020 County Officials Salary Guide

The " Computing County Official Salaries for 2020 " is now available. It provides directions for calculating county official salaries effective January 1, 2020. This guidebook is published annually by ACCG to assist counties in calculating salaries of certain county officials, as well as state officials who receive supplements to their salaries from the county. The procedure set forth in this guidebook has been reviewed and approved by the Constitutional Officers Association of Georgia (COAG), the Magistrate Council of Georgia and ACCG.

Sign Up For An ACCG Policy Committee

With policy meetings right around the corner, now is the time to recommit to serving on an ACCG Policy Committee! ACCG has seven standing policy committees and membership is open to all elected and appointed county officials. Your participation is needed to shape the policy positions ACCG will advocate for leading up to the next legislative session! 

Click  here  to view the committee descriptions  .



Sign up today by filling out this form.

Update on SB 157 - Depositories of Public Funds

Passed during the 2019 session and signed into law, SB 157 adds an option to how public funds may be deposited/invested. This legislation adds operating accounts to the existing authority for banks and their public depositor clients to participate in a shared deposit network for certificates of deposits as a way to provide FDIC insurance coverage for the deposits. As a participant in shared deposit networks, the only noticeable change with SB 157 is that your operating or transaction accounts can now get the same FDIC coverage, allowing the bank to avoid collateralization requirements. The State Depository Board has until the end of the year to develop program requirements and is also charged with determining which companies will be authorized to provide such shared deposit networks. Due to this new opportunity, you may be getting a call from your banker. To learn more about the shared networks and what to expect from your banker, click here.

GA Outdoor Stewardship Program Workshops 

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources Grants Staff invite local governments and NGOs to participate in a two-day grants workshop, covering the  Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program and  Recreational Trails Program. Click here to register for a workshop.