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It’s time to make plans to attend the County Commissioners’ Association of WV’s Spring Board and Legislative Committee meeting scheduled for May 20-21, 2012, at the Mardi Gras Casino & Resort, Charleston, WV. This is a beautiful facility with a lot of nice amenities for your pleasure.
The Meeting will start on Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 3:30 p.m. with a Legislative Wrap up. There will be a welcome reception at 6:00 p.m. and Dinner at 7:00 in the French Quarter Restaurant.
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Legislative Session 2012 is over. As anticipated in presidential election years, and with a lagging economy, the session was a little slow and the legislation actually passed, was somewhat sparse for counties. Approaching our proposed 2012 agenda with these things in mind, CCAWV kept our priorities to a minimum. Our game plan was to look for new revenue sources, but above all, protect the current county resources and programs from erosion. In this context, I think we had a successful session. Several negative bullets were dodged and a few good things succeeded passage. Some good things, as in all sessions, were lost along the way.
We were very pleased that SB 487 passed. This bill broadens the definition of “economic development authority” so that all qualifying counties will have access to their share of coalbed methane severance taxes. Some county’s shares have been on hold in the Treasurer’s office for tax years 2009, 2010, and 2011. We were also pleased for passage of SB 362 that authorizes the issuance of $52.5 million in bonds for capital improvements for Cacapon Resort State Park (Morgan County) and Beech Fork State Park (Wayne County). Congratulations to the Morgan and Wayne County Commissioners on their diligent efforts! The debt service on these bonds will be paid from an additional allocation from the State Excess Lottery Revenue Fund.
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With the 2012 Legislative session completed, county commissioners will face few changes. Through a strong, coordinated effort , we protected the integrity of county commissions and their budgets to provide services in each county. Our opposition to extending authority to class III and IV municipalities to administer TIF without the advice and consent of affected county commissions was heard and we prevailed. One area which strains county budgets remained unchanged; Regional Jail costs will be the same. Budgetary agenda of other associations could have had an impact on county commissions; however, our efforts proved successful and we prevailed.
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An Initiative to Raise Awareness and Understanding of Counties
County Government Works is an initiative to make the American public, who are beneficiaries of government services, and officials at other levels of government, who are partners in delivering those services, more knowledgeable and positive about the contributions of county government. County officials and NACo must tell the story about the effectiveness of county government and how County Government Works every day. This initiative has put in place the tools for county officials to use to ensure that the story is told well and told often.
NEW - Online Game - Counties Work
NACo, together with iCivics, has created an online game, "Counties Work," to educate students, grades 6 through 12, about the important role and functions of county government by letting them run their own county. A curriculum and web quest has also been developed to assist teachers with preparing lessons on county government.
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By Vivian Parsons, Executive Director
Only 2 more days to go in the regular session (the governor has extended the session by 3 days to work on the state budget bill). All bills still in committee at this time have little chance for survival, as bills are to be read on the floor 3 separate days. Rules can, however, be suspended by the body if the votes are there, but we haven't seen much of that this session. As always, call me if you have questions, 304-415-1608.
First a quick update on some bills of special importance we've been following:
HJR 113 - "County Option Homestead Exemption Bill" - Likely dead, has a double reference in Senate and has not moved.
SB 487 - expanding definitions of county economic development authority so counties can receive the monies in the Coalbed Methane Gas Distribution Fund - This bill has passed out of House Finance and is on 1st reading today!
SB 526 - permissive authority for county commission to impose additional transfer tax for dedication to regional jails and drug treatment. - This bill is most likely dead, still sitting in House Finance.
SB 167 - allowing county to accept credit card payments. - This bill is likely dead, still sitting in House Judiciary.
SB 437 - Governor's Substance Abuse bill - This bill is on 1st reading on the House Floor.
SB 468 - Allowing Courthouse Facilities Improvement Authority to issue bonds - This bill is likely dead, still sitting in House Finance.
HB 4547 - Creating the West Virginia Innovation Free-Trade Business Technology Property Valuation Act and the West Virginia Innovation Free-Trade Tax Credit Act - Allows for the use of (5% ) salvage value tax credits - Likely Dead, still in Senate Economic Development.
HB 4030 prioritizes payments of fees from court costs which could cost counties revenues - The Senate Judiciary Committee has passed this bill, but it has a 2nd reference to Senate Finance, which makes passage less likely.
Here are all the bills of county interest we've been following since cross-over day...(remember you can click on the bill number and go to the text of the bill and bill history)