A publication of The County Commissioners' Association of West Virginia ! October 2013 ! www.ccawv.

org

CCAWV Attends WVU Extension's Community Leadership Academy

! On October 3rd and 4th, Commissioners and other community leaders from across the state descended upon Morgantown for WVU Extension Service's Community Leadership Academy.! This year's theme, "Working Together", was integrated into all of the Academy's sessions.! The keynote speaker, Ed Morrison, discussed his concept of "Strategic Doing" and led participants though an exercise based on a small town's success story.! Participants learned how to entice members of their communities to participate in community development, and to discover and use existing resources to move projects towards measurable goals. ! Students at the Community Leadership Academy were also treated to a lunchtime address by WVU's President, Jim Clements. Participants could elect to pursue either a Community Leadership or a Local Government Leadership track.! Each track o"ered a robust program of continuing education workshops led by engaging instructors.! In addition, this year WVU Extension Service rolled out a new recognition program for individuals who complete stepped "tiers" of instruction: Bronze #24 hours of instruction$, Silver #48 hours$, Gold #72 hours$, Platinum #96 hours$, and Titanium #120 hours$. At the Titanium level, individuals are placed in a mentorship program to recruit and guide new participants. ! Register Today for Your 2013 Regional Meeting! ! Dates have been nalized for the 2014 Regional Meetings! !The eight regional meeting provide an opportunity for commissioners to interact with their legislators in an informal, round table setting.! During the meetings, which are hosted by di"erent counties each year, legislative priorities as determined by the CCAWV Board at the Fall Board Meeting are discussed.

Fondly Remembering CCAWV Past President

It is with great sadness that CCAWV shares the news of the passing of longtime member and mentor, Joe Coburn of Mercer County.! In 1959, Joe entered the world of public service when he was elected Deputy Sheri".! Joe was rst elected to the o%ce of County Commissioner in 1972 and served again in 1977.! He ran again in 1997 and was in his twenty&ninth year as a County Commissioner when he passed.! In addition to tirelessly serving the residents of Mercer County, Joe was an active member of CCAWV, serving on our board of directors as an ex o%cio member up until his passing.! We are honored to have had such a shining example of public service among our ranks.! We extend our deepest condolences to his family.! He will be missed.

D ire c tor 's D i scu ssion with V i via n P a r s o n s

Good news!! The RJA board voted to keep the per diem rate at '48.25 for FY 2015.! At the October 17th Board meeting, Director Joe DeLong reported on the FY 2013 nances.! The RJA saved 48( over last year by streamlining their P&Card purchases and increased revenues from inmate phone usage by 11( by adding more phones & implementing a new rate.! Further, through a pilot program currently in one jail, that increased the number of employees and is using a new method of sta%ng to reduce overtime, RJA has saved '240,000 for FY 2013.! The Governor has approved implementing the same program in 2 more jails #Southern and Western$ and Director DeLong hopes they will be up and running by January 1, 2014.! RJA also negotiated new federal per diem rates of '65/day an estimated increase of 16(.! Considering these results over all and the projected number of inmates for next year, DeLong recommended that the per diem stay at '48.25.! He had hoped to propose a slightly reduced rate, but with DOC currently pulling some 600 of their inmates out of the RJA system into newly renovated DOC facilities, and the possibility of 400 more going out of state, he feared the RJA budget could not absorb all the resulting e"ects if per diem was lowered also.! The board agreed not to lower the per diem and risk having to raise it again, midway through the county budget year.! Delong also went over the current per diem formula and important factors that are not addressed in it.! He listed 4 things that are prudent to consider when setting the per diem:! 1$ projected inmate population changes; 2$ ancillary revenues from inmates; 3$ federal inmate per diem revenues; and 4$ fugitive inmates #who by nation&wide agreement, stay for free.! For this reason RJA will propose legislative rule changes that will allow RJA to look at all factors that could REDUCE the per diem rate, a proposal supported by CCAWV.

2013

-2014

Bo

tors c e r i D ard of

President Tim McCormick, Ohio (234-3628) Vice-President Nancy Cartmill, Cabell (526-8634) Immediate Past President Ron Watson, Harrison (624-8500) District 1-- Western Division Don Mason, Marshall (845-0482) John Stender, Tyler (758-2102) Danny Greathouse, Hancock (564-3311) District 1 -- Eastern Division Chair: Janice LaRue, Mineral (788-5921) Bernie Fazzini, Harrison (624-8500) District 2 -- Western Division Agnes Queen, Lewis (269-8200) Jerry Linkinoggor, Clay (587-4259) District 2 -- Eastern Division Chair: Mike Taylor, Randolph (636-2057) J.R. Keplinger, Hardy (530-0284) Donnie Tenney, Upshur (472-0535) District 3 -- Western Division Chair: Mickey Brown, Boone (369-1561) Rick Handley, Mason (675-1110) District 3 -- Eastern Division Bob Pasley, Wayne (523-5246) Jack Woodrum, Summers (466-7100) Denise Scalph, Fayette (574-4290) CCAWV 2309 Washington Street East Charleston, WV 25311 (304) 345-4639 info@ccawv.org Vivian Parsons Executive Director vivian@ccawv.org Megan Stroup Administrative Assistant megan@ccawv.org

Pr e sid ent ' s Messa ge by T i m M c Co r mi c k

Trick or treat!!! It's that time again for the little ghosts and goblins to make their rounds!!! I hope you will all make your rounds and take part in the!Regional Rountable for your area. This is your chance to make contact with your legislators and discuss the CCA's legislative agenda. It's a great opportunity to get some quality face to face time with them and have those discussions. Hopefully ever yone had a representative go to the ACA!workshops that were made available. Some great info was disseminated to hopefully make our lives easier.!Great job of organizing by Vivian and Megan!!!! Thanks to both of you for all you do!!! I will keep this short so I can get to our local tent makers to get my ghost costume made!!! If there are any questions on the CCA legislative issues, just call Vivian or your local legislative committee rep and they will be able to ll you in. Have a safe and Happy Halloween!!!

Spotlight on a County Commission: Monongalia County

Crowning Achievement: Receiving approval of the legislature and Governor for excise tax TIF district & a '45Million project. Biggest debacle or most embarrassing moment: Changing meeting times back and forth to assist with newly elected Commissioners' schedules. Best advice for other County Commissioners:" Don't make promises you can't keep. Funniest thing to ever happen at a commission meeting:" We all know the secret signal to shut up and move on. Please list County Commission sta#:" Diane DeMedici, County Administrator

Eldon A. Callen Place where I grew up: " I am still trying to gure out where that might be! Real life occupation:" Lawyer Years' experience as a County Commissioner:" 2+ years You would be surprised to know that I: " Was once blown out of a tank by friendly re. My p e r s o n a l p h i l o s o p h y :" Everyone should be treated with respect, regardless of their situation and/or opinions. What do you like most about being a County Commissioner?" Listening to people and assisting them with any problems they may have. What do you like least about being a County Commissioner?" People who turn a debate on issues into a personal attack. Who would you invite $living or d e a d % to yo u r n e x t Co u n t y Commission meeting and what would you discuss? " My parents.! I would like to know how they thought I am doing as a County Commissioner.

L. W. Bartolo P l a c e w h e re I g re w u p :" Morgantown, WV Real life occupation: " Retired from the Federal Prison Systems and a small business owner Years' experience as a County Commissioner:" 4 1/2 years You would be surprised to know that I: " Spent 24 years in Federal Prison & working, that is! My personal philosophy:! Enjoy each day, it's a gift. What do you like most about being a County Commissioner?" Making decisions that are in the taxpayers' best interests, not for other reasons. What do you like least about being a County Commissioner?" The limited powers granted to the County Commission by the State. Who would you invite $living or d e a d % to yo u r n e x t Co u n t y Commission meeting and what would you discuss?" The authors of the U.S. Constitution to see what they thought about where government is today.

Tom Bloom P l a c e w h e re I g re w u p :" Philadelphia, PA Re a l life o c c u p a t i o n :" Mo r g a n t o w n H i g h Gu i d a n c e Counselor Years' experience as a County Commissioner:" 6 months You would be surprised to know that I: " I co &wrote the Boogie Cadence as a bass drummer at WVU My personal philosophy:" Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it. #Thomas Paine$ What do you like most about being a County Commissioner?" It is the ultimate in community service. What do you like least about being a County Commissioner?" Newspaper editorials in a one newspaper town. Who would you invite $living or d e a d % to yo u r n e x t Co u n t y Commission meeting and what would you discuss? " Thomas Je"erson ) his ideals are still ever present in our U.S. Constitution and our everyday Commission meetings.

County Commission Outreach

Bringing public awareness to the o!ce of County Commissioner

Calendar of Events ! CCAWV Regional Roundtables November, and December 2013 Stay tuned for dates and locations! " CCAWV Legislative Conference January 26 & 28, 2014 Charleston Marriott Charleston, WV " 2014 Spring Board Meeting May 18 & 19, 2014 Wheeling Island Wheeling, WV " 2014 CCAWV Annual Conference August 3 & 6, 2014 Pullman Plaza Huntington, WV

Across the nation, the new Healthcare Exchanges opened on October 1, the rst part of many changes to existing healthcare laws.! Instead of the relief the A"ordable Care Act #ACA$ was intended to provide, it has, for many, been a source of confusion and headache as individuals and employers struggle to determine exactly how the new laws will a"ect them.! As a service to our members, CCAWV put together a panel of experts to provide a day&long training on the ins and outs of the ACA.! ! With representatives from PEIA, the private insurance sector, the WV O%ces of the Insurance Commissioner, and Bailey & Wyant PLLC, CCAWV hopes that participants will walk away with a better understanding of their obligations, both as employers and as individuals, under the new laws.! Topics covered included a general overview of the ACA by the WV O%ces of the Insurance Commissioner; a discussion on what public employers are doing to help by PEIA; the role of private providers and tips by Shenandoah Valley Group; and some issues from the perspective of employment law by Bailey and Wyant.! CCAWV would like to extend a hearty thank you to all the presenters!! We hope to be able to provide additional guidance in the future as these new laws roll out.

CCAWV Endorsed Partner