|
|
|
Requirement to Adopt 911 Resolutions
Act 12 of 2015, the comprehensive amendments to the 911 Emergency Communications Act, requires counties to adopt a resolution "authorizing acceptance of the funds." Public notice must be given of the intent to adopt the resolution, and the adopted resolution is to be forwarded to PEMA. Counties that have not already done so should be sure to take action by the end of September at the latest. A more detailed explanation, a sample resolution, and filing instructions are available in the 911 Sample Resolution on Receipt of Funds document on the CCAP 911 Funding and System Reform web page.
|
|
CCAP Committee Appointments for 2016
Do you want a voice in creating CCAP policy? If so, email Lori Dabbondanza for a committee interest form. Committee appointments will be made by the incoming CCAP President, Bob Thomas. You will be notified of your appointment prior to the Fall Conference in November.
The CCAP standing committees are: Academy for Excellence in County Government, Agriculture, Assessment and Taxation, Community and Economic Development, County Governance, Courts and Corrections, Election Reform, Energy, Environment and Land Use, Human Services, Military and Veterans Affairs, Resolutions, Technology and County Criminal Justice System Best Practices for the 21st Century. Current members and a description for each committee can be found on the CCAP website.
|
|
2015 Regional Innovation Strategies Program Webinar
The White House Rural Council, US Department of Agriculture, and the US Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration's Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship invite you to attend the 2015 Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) Program Opportunities for Rural Communities Webinar. This year, up to $2.5 million of the i6 competition funds will be rewarded to rural organizations focused on expanding capabilities for entrepreneurs. Special considerations will be given to applicants prioritizing populations and communities that are underrepresented in innovation and entrepreneurship.
The webinar will be held August 18, 2015 at 2:30 p.m. and will outline the parameters of each competition, discuss tips on the application process, and provide general guidance on ways to build a competitive proposal. To register, follow this link. After the formal presentation, OIE will open the session for Q&A. Please submit any questions you have ahead of time via email to oie@eda.gov, using the subject line, "Questions for Rural Webinar.
|
|
Updated DCED County Commissioners Manual Available
The fourth edition of DCED's "Manual for County Commissioners," updated in August 2015, is now available. This is a manual for all of Pennsylvania's counties and county commissioners and their home rule counterparts. Several CCAP staff people helped with updating this manual.
The primary goal of the manual is to provide an easily-read, comprehensive information source for county commissioners in the performance of their statutory duties. In addition to review of structure and statute, the manual attempts to cover some of the more common governmental functions assigned by local practice and custom and to describe common approaches in dealing with county operations.
The manual offers helpful information and suggestions for incumbent and new commissioners and adds to the general descriptions of how county government operates.
|
|
Historic Courthouse Series to be Featured on PCN
CCAP worked with the Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) to produce five television shows as part of its ongoing Historic Courthouse Series. CCAP will provide links to the series on the CCAP website. PCN will also re-air these shows later in the fall. Cumberland County is featured this week, and the remaining schedule is as follow:
CAMBRIA COUNTY COURTHOUSE
Thursday, September 10, 7 p.m.
Saturday, September 12, 2 p.m.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY COURTHOUSE
Thursday, August 13, 7 p.m.
Saturday, August 15, 2 p.m.
LACKAWANNA COUNTY COURTHOUSE
Thursday, August 20, 7 p.m.
Saturday,August 22, 2 p.m.
WARREN COUNTY COURTHOUSE
Thursday, September 3, 7 p.m.
Saturday, September 5, 2 p.m.
WESTMORELAND COUNTY COURTHOUSE
Thursday, August 27, 7 p.m.
Saturday, August 29, 2 p.m.
|
|
Urban Stormwater Project Grants
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the August 8 PA Bulletin that it is now accepting applications for the construction of urban stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) to reduce the discharge of nutrients and sediments delivered to local waters and to the Chesapeake Bay ( formal notice).
Applications are due October 9. Counties within the Chesapeake Bay drainage area are eligible to apply. The maximum funding amount per applicant is $200,000. Construction must be complete within 2 years. Federal requirements will apply to construction procurement, and funding recipients will be selected on a competitive basis.
Examples of projects include, but are not limited to: Bioretention/raingardens; Bioswales; Permeable pavement; Urban nutrient management; Urban stream restoration; Urban tree planting; Vegetated open channels; Vegetated roofs; Wet ponds and wetlands; Other projects that reduce the flow of stormwater into MS4s or CSS.
More information and a copy of the application will be posted on DEP's MS4 Stormwater webpage. Questions should be directed to Leif Rowles at DEP by calling 717-783-2290 or send email to: lerowles@pa.gov.
|
|
Indigent Defense Survey
NACo is working with the U. S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, as it conducts the National Survey of Indigent Defense Systems (NSIDS). The NSIDS is the only national census of indigent defense that collects information on staffing, budgets, caseload and the functions of all service delivery methods used to provide indigent defense. This study looks at the structure of indigent defense across the nation and is asking for participation from state and local jurisdictions for all components of the indigent defense system.
NORC at the University of Chicago is acting as the data collection agent on behalf of BJS and has sent communications to many county offices asking for a response to the survey. If your office has received communication from NORC at the University of Chicago asking for a response to a survey about indigent defense systems in your county you are urged by NACo to respond. This study will provide a much more complete picture of how indigent defense services are provided across the nation.
Please contact NORC toll-free at 1-877-346-5354 or
NSIDS@norc.org with any questions you may have or if you require a copy of the survey.
|
|
CCAP Releases Statement on Budget Impasse
Earlier this month CCAP, on behalf of Pennsylvania's counties, released a statement calling for a resolution to the budget impasse. CCAP, through its board officers, explained that while counties have not yet borne the full burden of the budget impasse, it is expected that the delay of state funds will begin to impact county operations when payments due in August do not come. The full press release is available online.
In addition, CCAP has set up a separate web page where collecting all of the county impacts from the budget impasse and related media reports. Members can also find all of our grassroots materials - talking points, sample letters, sample letters to the editor - here as well as on the Legislative Action Center.
|
|
2015 CCAP Salary Survey Now Available
For the first time, the CCAP Salary Survey is available online in an interactive format. The 2015 CCAP Salary Survey includes over 14,000 county positions from 52 Pennsylvania counties! Access to the survey is available at no cost for all CCAP members and their staff. This includes all county elected officials, all county staff members and staff of any county related entity. Others may purchase access for a fee. The survey is posted on the CCAP website.
A user ID and password are required for access. Please use this link to register for access to the CCAP Salary Survey. Your user ID and password will be unique to you and your county and should not be shared. Please allow up to 24 hours for the processing of your user ID and password. NOTE: Even if you are registered to the CCAP website, a separate user ID and password will be required for the CCAP Salary Survey. All users will need to register using the link above for access.
CCAP conducted a webinar on July 30 to show how to use the survey and will soon be posting on the CCAP website a link to the recording of that webinar. Thanks to all who participated in this year's survey! There was a tremendous response and CCAP is thrilled be able to reintroduce this powerful resource for members.
For more information, contact Julia Jackson, Deputy Director, Insurance Pool Operations at (800) 895-9039 x 3305.
|
|
NACo Launches New Website and Redesigned Logo
NACo has launched a brand new logo and website. The unique, modern logo emphasizes counties, including the American flag which emphasizes the counties' intergovernmental partnership with the federal government and NACo's role in uniting America's 3,069 county governments. Four stars are also included to represent NACo's four regions, west, central, south and northeast.
Along with the new logo there is a a dramatic update in the overall look and feel of NACo.org. NACo teamed up with Taoti Creative for a completely new, fresh-looking site. Not only does the site look great, but NACo has completely overhauled its functionality to enhance the user experience. The new NACo.org is easier to navigate because it takes a topic-centered approach to the information architecture.
Visit NACo.org to view the new logo and experience the redesigned site.
|
|
New Guidance Available on Assisting Individuals with Homelessness
A new document has been released from the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness in collaboration with the Social Security Administration (SSA), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and SAMHSA intended to improve practices and collaboration among SSA field offices, VA Medical Center staff, organizations and agencies that provide services to people experiencing homelessness, and other community-based partners.
The strategies focus on assisting individuals experiencing homelessness with the initial disability application and medical determination process.
Key strategies include:
- Assisting People Experiencing Homelessness with the SSI/SSDI Application Process
- Coordinating with SSA Field Offices, Community Organizations, and other Federal Agencies
- Coordinating with Other Benefits and Entitlements
- Working with Veterans and Other Special Populations
- Assisting SSI/SSDI Beneficiaries Post-Entitlement
To view the document, or for more information, visit the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness website.
|
|
Updated Budget Talking Points Available
On June 26, the House and Senate Republican leadership announced that they would advance a $30.2 billion state budget for FY 2015-2016 without the Governor's agreement. Their budget represented an increase of slightly more than $1 billion (3.6 percent) over FY 2014-2015 but less than the $31.6 billion budget proposed by Gov. Wolf in March. It did not include any tax increases.
The Republican budget was amended into HB 1192 which was approved by the House and Senate. Gov. Wolf vetoed HB 1192, issuing his veto message on the evening of June 30. Reports indicated that the Governor invited legislative leaders to meet with him to discuss how to move forward with a negotiated budget plan.
Reflecting the current status of the FY 2015-2016 commonwealth budget, updated Talking Points and a Human Services Budget Sample Letter are now posted to the Legislative Action Center, under the Commonwealth Budget header. More information including a link to frequently asked questions outlining which funds may continue to be distributed and which are found on CCAP's
Budget News and Updates page, as is the Governor's veto message. There is also a detailed budget analysis showing county line items on the CCAP Budget web page.
|
|
Save the Date - 2016 NACo Legislative Conference
The 2016 NACo Legislative Conference will be held from February 20-24, 2016. The NACo Legislative Conference is held on an annual basis in Washington, DC. This meeting brings over 2,000 elected and appointed county officials from across the country to focus on legislative issues facing county government. Attendees hear from key Administration officials and members of Congress and are offered a myriad of additional educational opportunities addressing current and hot topic issues. A day of lobbying on Capitol Hill the last day rounds out an information-packed conference. More information available at this link.
|
|
Local Government Training Opportunities
The Pennsylvania Local Government Training Partnership is a training initiative between the Governor's Center for Local Government Services and Pennsylvania's statewide associations, including CCAP. There are many options for upcoming training sessions, as well as sessions that can be downloaded and viewed at your convenience. PACourses offered through the partnership are designed to keep municipal officials current on new laws and legislative requirements and enhance their ability to govern more effectively. Year-round, statewide training is provided in the areas of local government administration, finance, community and economic development, public safety, land use and planning, public works, recreation, environmental, and tax collectors.
For more information, or to register for a course, visit the PA Local Government Training Partnership website.
|
|
| Upcoming NACo Webinars
Registration is now open for the following NACo webinars:
In addition to these webinars, there are recordings of webinars from the past six months on a range of topics. To access these recordings, or for additional details and registration information, please click here.
|
|
|
Job Postings
As counties notify us of current vacancies we post them on our website and list them in the Update.
Additional information on each posting can be found by clicking on the name of the vacancy you are interested in. To submit a job posting, refer to the CCAP website. For additional information on submitting a job posting contact Mandi Glantz at mglantz@pacounties.org.
|
| Upcoming Events
For a complete listing of upcoming events refer to the CCAP website.
|
|
|
