Capitol Connection E-Newsletter – October 2019

ACCG Membership Approves 2020 Policy Agenda

ACCG's membership approved the 2020 Policy Agenda at the 2019 Legislative Leadership Conference that was held on October 2-4 in Athens-Clarke County. The membership also voted Marketplace Facilitator Tax Collection as the top Legislative Priority. 

Please click here to review the approved Policy Objectives and the Guiding Principles - all which comprise the ACCG Policy Agenda.

** ACCG will soon release the 2020 Legislative Toolkit. The Toolkit will provide an overview of the Policy Agenda while offering tools and resources for county officials to communicate the association's issues with their Legislators. The Toolkit will be distributed at District Meetings and will be available on the ACCG website for download upon publication.

2019 District Meetings Agenda Now Available

The agenda for the 2019 District Meetings is now available. During this year's District Meetings, county officials will receive updates on the association's various service programs (retirement, insurance, financial services, etc.); get briefed on the 2020 Policy Agenda; and participate in an educational forum on the definition of "Home Rule" and the process of passing local legislation.

District Meetings present an opportune time for county officials to engage in much-needed conversations with their legislators before the start of the legislative session. Thus, county officials are highly encouraged to personally invite their legislators to attend their District Meeting. More details on each meeting can be found here.

ACCG-DCA Report of Local Government Finances (RLGF) Webinar To Be Held Next Week. Register Today!

ACCG, in conjunction with DCA, will be hosting a webinar on October 22, 2019 from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. on the Report of Local Government Finances (RLGF). This is a mandatory report that must be submitted by counties every year. The webinar will focus on how to complete the report, best practices to ensure accuracy in your reports, and common mistakes and issues that have been identified relating to the submission and completion of this report. 

Registration for the webinar is available below. There will be opportunities for attendees to ask questions during the webinar. If there is a particular question or issue that you would like to submit in advance of the webinar, you can submit them directly to Michele NeSmith at mnesmith@accg.org . This is a great opportunity for both staff and commissioners to learn more about this report.

RLGF Webinar - October 22, 2019 (10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m.)

House Rural Development Council Meetings

The House Rural Development Council continues its meetings around the state through the end of this year. County officials are encouraged to attend or review the meeting materials/live recordings online. Scheduled meetings: October 29, 30 in Woodbine, Camden County, November 12, 13 in Eatonton, Putnam County and December 17, 18 in Americus, Sumter County.

2020 Census Local Complete Count Committee Toolkit Available

Need help in finalizing or finding resources for your 2020 Census Local Complete Count Committee? Check out all the resources available through the Local Complete Count Committee Toolkit provided by ACCG. 

County Freeport Inventory Exemptions Map

Georgia counties have the option to exempt raw materials and goods that are being manufactured, finished goods produced or stored in the state, goods being held in a fulfillment center, and inventory of finished goods held by a business making sales of goods within the state that are not otherwise exempted from sales taxes. These exemptions, referred to as Freeport exemptions, vary by county in terms of Level (I or II), Category (Class 1-4), and percentage exemption provided (20%, 40%, 60%, 80% or 100%). The map, found here, provides an overview of how these exemptions, if any, are applied in each county.

Proposed Department of Public Health EMS Rules

The Department of Public Health has released a notice of proposed rulemaking regarding Emergency Medical Services. The purpose of the proposed rulemaking is to clarify the regulatory structure for oversight and administration of the EMS Communications Program under O.C.G.A. § 31-11-3. 

Cybersecurity Guide for Entities and Organizations in Georgia

The Georgia Department of Law's Consumer Protection Division has developed a Cybersecurity Guide , to work with and support organizations to protect themselves and those they serve. This guide is intended to raise awareness of cyber issues and provide practical information that counties can use to ensure they are protecting their data and their constituents’ data. Review the material in this guide and communicate with those in your network about the importance of cybersecurity and ways to reduce the likelihood and impact of cyber threats. 

Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program  Deadline Reminder

All Conserve Georgia grant and loan pre-applications for the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program are due Thursday, October 31, 2019 . After that time, applications will not longer be accepted. All eligible applicants must complete Pre-applications online.  Click here to start your GOSP Pre-application .