Counties make NCGM special for their residents

An enthusiastic group of high school students were hosted by Darke County, Ohio commissioners on student Government Day April 22. The event has been held for more than 20 years. and this year it was held in conjunction with National County Government Month. Photo courtesy of The Daily Advocate.

Counties across the country held activities to celebrate National County Government Month. Here are some examples:

San Luis Obispo County featured NCGM on its website

San Luis Obispo County, Calif. featured NCGM on the front page of its website with a photo of the Main Street Bridge in Cambria. The caption beneath the photo tells readers that "Investing in your community matters, which includes transporta tion and infrastructure projects and services that are the building blocks for safe, health, livable, prosperous and well-governed communities."

The message encouraged residents to "get involved, volunteer, thank a county worker or just enjoy the new bridges, repaved roads and other benefits of infrastructure projects in SLO County." The county held a volunteer work day and a tour of the county airport as part of its NCGM activities.

Somerset County activities for NCGM

Somerset County, N.J. held a series of activities at different county locations during NCGM, such as free emergency preparedness training, a medicine collection drop-off at the Sheriff 's Office, a household hazard ous waste drop-off and an open house by a dozen county divisions at the Human Services Building and events at county senior centers.

The county has participated in this national effort to raise public aware ness about counties for 25 years, since NACo started it in 1991.

Counties adopted NCGM proclamations, resolutions

El Paso County, Colo. and St. Mary's County, Md. both passed proclamations for NCGM. The Fillmore County, Minn. Board of Commissioners approved a resolution recognizing NCGM in March. When approving the resolution, Chairman Duane Bakke noted the transportation theme for NCGM and pointed out that Fillmore County has added the half-cent sales tax to fund local road and bridge improvements because of the uncertainty of state and federal funding.

Other counties that adopted proclamations include Catawba County, N.C.; Deschutes County, Ore.; Fannin County, Texas; Grundy County, Iowa; Roosevelt County, N.M.; Williamsburg County, S.C.; Hubbard County, Minn.; Sandoval County, N.M.; Brazoria County, Texas; and Chisago County, Minn.

Winners selected for Cape May County My County Poster Contest

Winners of the 23rd annual My County Poster Contest in Cape May County, N.J. were announced in late April as part of the county's NCGM activities. The 12 winners had their posters on display in the courthouse. The annual event is held to bring awareness of the responsibilities of county government to fourth graders, who regularly study the topic as part of their curriculum.

Atlantic County featured online quiz, fun facts and full schedule of events

Atlantic County, N.J. celebrated county government month with an online quiz about the county, fun facts on the website and a full sched ule of events that included health screenings, volunteer appreciation ceremonies, park cleanups and child safety seat inspections.

Phelps County endorsed state bill to provide funding for infrastructure

In a special meeting, the Phelps County, Mo. Board of Commission ers, noting the transportation and infrastructure theme of NCGM, voted to endorse Missouri Senate Bill 540, which proposed a six-cent-per-gallon tax on motor fuel with an annual adjustment for inflation.

Guest column highlights county government in Larimer County

During NCGM, The Coloradoan, a daily newspaper in Larimer County, Colo., ran a guest column by Com missioner Lew Gaiter III that high lighted the role county government plays in serving its citizens and the differences between counties and municipalities. Gaiter concluded by saying that all local governments "work hard to ensure the needs of our communities are met."

Ride-along offers look at state of bridges and culverts

Following the transportation and infrastructure theme of NCGM, Peoria County, Ill. officials took a reporter on an inspection tour of bridges, culverts and road projects and live-tweeted during the tour. It was done to inform residents of the highway department's activities and the services the county provides.

Open houses and tours mark NCGM

The City and County of Honolulu held a Honolulu Hale (City Hall) open house on April 28 in celebration of NCGM. Featured were displays of county programs, services, vehicles and apparatus. Tours of Honolulu Hale included an opportunity to watch Council committee meetings in progress and meet councilmembers. In addition, the county showcased the Royal Hawaiian Band and Glee Club on the Hale lawn.

Gila County, N.M. marked NCGM with a series of events that included an open house at county offices. On Earth Day, the county landfills accepted green waste at no charge to encourage residents to clear property of weeds and brush in preparation for wildfire season. The county also sponsored an art contest for all schools within Gila County focused on "Recycling and Our Environment."

Stearns County, Minn. hosted an open house at its highway depart ment to enable adults and kids to see various road repair and maintenance equipment used by the department. Some of the machines on display included snowplows, pavers, rollers and bulldozers. But the best part, according to one official, was seeing how much fun the kids had checking out the displays.

Hernando County, Fla. celebrated NCGM by having two open houses, one at the government center and the other at the health department. The open houses included presentations by county staff and department displays.

Cumberland County, N.C. pro vided tours of its emergency commu nications center as part of its NCGM activities. Twin Falls County, Idaho also held an open house during which elected officials met and spoke with residents.

In Lake County, S.D. fourth grad ers toured the county courthouse to learn what each department does. The five county commissioners led the tours and used the visual aid of a dollar bill to explain to the students where tax money is spent: 62 cents goes to the county schools, 21 cents to the county itself, 16 cents to town ships and cities, and 1 cent to the fire department and water district.

County employees offer their views on public service

Albemarle County, Va. took a slightly different approach to NCGM. The county produced a video in which county employees described what public service means to them. Emergency personnel and other county figures are featured in the four-minute clip.

Several speak of the positive impacts county government has had on the community, like renovating a volunteer fire department building to better protect the public. "It's one community, as far as I'm concerned," said Mandy Burbage, senior planner. "I enjoy being part of the government that makes it a great place to live."

Try transit offered in Manatee and Sarasota counties

Try Transit Day, the annual day to promote transit in Florida's Manatee and Sarasota counties by offering free rides throughout the counties was the feature activity for NCGM because of this year's theme. In addition, Manatee County held a number of activities and displays to highlight county services, including a series of workshops for veterans.

Displays, demonstrations highlight county services at mall

Summit County, Utah went to a local outlet mall for NCGM providing information booths and demonstra tions by county departments and agencies including public works, planning, health, recreation and the sheriff 's office.

New airport terminal part of NCGM

Onslow County, N.C. showed off the new terminal at the Albert J. Ellis Airport as part of its NCGM activities. "It's a huge economic development tool for the community and for the county to help generate additional jobs and additional busi nesses," said Airport Director Chris White. He estimated the airport adds $191 million in economic impact each year and helps generate about 340 local jobs.