Each week ACCG shares snapshots of counties, highlighting activities from around the state and the ACCG team at work. Email your photos to locallens@accg.org.

Note: Local Lens submissions submitted prior to 12:00 p.m. on each Friday will be included in that week's edition. Submissions received after that will be included in the following week’s newsletter.

September 19, 2026

Cobb County PARKS Natural Resource Manager Charlie Monroe was honored with the 2026 Martha Louge "Excellence in Leadership" Award during a board of commissioners meeting. The award, selected by the EXCEL Management Development Program, recognized Monroe for his commitment to high standards in innovation, environmental stewardship, and community engagement.

Habersham County Emergency Services Prioritizes Mental Health Through Annual Peer Support Summit


Habersham County Emergency Services hosted its Third Annual Peer Support Summit, which provided staff an opportunity to learn about mental health, discuss healthy ways to cope, and better understand the challenges that can come with the incidents and experiences faced by first responders. The event also featured speakers who shared their knowledge and personal experiences with the team.

Glynn County collaborated with the City of Brunswick and the Jekyll Island Authority to hold a Remembrance Ceremony at the Courthouse for the 25th Anniversary of September 11. In addition to remarks offered by Chairman Wayne Neal, Mayor Cosby Johnson, and keynote speaker Larry Thompson, the ceremony honored first responders for their courage and compassion, and the families who have carried the weight of that day for 25 years.

The Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency/Office of Homeland Security (EMA/OHS) hosted a Tactical Emergency Casualty Care Course for first responders to enhance their emergency medical response capabilities. The course included evidence-based training focused on the management of traumatic injuries in high-threat and complex emergency environments.

Lowndes County Receives A Special Donation from Local Funeral Home

The Lowndes County Fire Rescue Department and the Valdosta Fire Department received a "Music the Comfort Monkey" donation from Music Funeral Services. The specially selected comfort monkey will ride along with firefighters during emergencies involving children to offer a small sense of comfort and reassurance in moments that can be frightening and overwhelming.

During a board of commissioners meeting, members of the Cherokee County Legislative Delegation presented a Georgia House of Representatives Resolution, which renamed I-575 and Riverstone Parkway as "Rep. Mandi L. Ballinger Memorial Interchange." The resolution honors the late Rep. Ballinger for her dedication to combating child abuse, strengthening protections for domestic violence survivors, and reforming the juvenile system.

Paulding County Fire Lieutenant Recognized for Extraordinary Performance

Paulding County Fire Lt. Daniel Norton was recognized for his extraordinary performance at the World Police & Fire Games, where he earned both a gold and bronze medal in jiu-jitsu. Lt. Norton was honored with an official State Senate Resolution, as well as a letter from Gov. Brian Kemp, recognizing his outstanding achievement, professionalism, and service.

GCIP Intern Demonstrates His Skills in Jasper County

Christopher Moore, a natural resource management major at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, spent his Georgia County Internship Program (GCIP) experience with Jasper County’s Administration Department. Moore documented and verified prescription rights-of-way for county-maintained roads using deeds, plats, easements, and surveys, which helped the county confirm maintenance authority and legal access.

Interested in hosting your own GCIP intern? Click here to learn more and apply for 2027.

ACCG in Focus

ACCG in Focus highlights the work of various ACCG departments and the dedicated staff behind them, showcasing the initiatives and collaborations that enable the association to advance Georgia’s counties.

ACCG County Consulting Services Associate Speaks on FLOST at Rockdale County Town Hall

ACCG County Consulting Services Associate Clark Harrell joined Rockdale County Commissioners for a town hall discussion on the upcoming Floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST) referendum, which voters will decide on in November. Following the presentation, Harrell and the county commissioners answered questions from the public.

Members of the ACCG and Georgia Municipal Association Policy Councils met in Macon-Bibb County for the Joint ACCG-GMA Policy Council Meeting. The two-day event allowed city and county officials an opportunity to strengthen their connections while discussing issues affecting local governments and receiving legislative updates on topics of shared significance from subject-matter experts. The first day began with each association hosting their individual policy council meetings where the ACCG Policy Council determined the Proposed 2027 Policy Priorities to be considered by the full membership at the Legislative Leadership Conference.

Registration is now open for the 2026 Legislative Leadership Conference (LLC) taking place October 7-9 at The Classic Center in Athens-Clarke County. Attend the LLC to play a key role in shaping ACCG’s advocacy efforts by voting to approve the 2027 Policy Priorities. In addition, take advantage of the opportunity to explore, in greater depth, topics that affect your county through various conference educational opportunities and connect with fellow county leaders to share ideas and insights. Click here to learn more.

ACCG-Jerry R. Griffin Scholarship (Grant) Program

The ACCG-Jerry R. Griffin Scholarship (Grant) Program was created by the ACCG Board of Managers in 2025 to foster lifelong learning, enhance engagement among county officials at the state and national level, and increase conference participation at select ACCG and National Association of Counties (NACo) events. The non-competitive scholarship grants funds to county officials and/or staff for the reimbursement of expenses associated with attending ACCG and NACo conferences in 2026 and 2027. Click here to learn more.

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