Agenda - 01-05-1987 - Laserfiche WebLink

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STATEMENT OF PURPOSE The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners hereby affirms its constitutional premise that counties, like individuals, cannot profitably and happily exist in isolation. Their destinies are intertwined. They must progress or fail together. Their problems are . largely the same; if they are to be solved speedily and effectively, all counties must band- themselves together to work for the common good. Many common problems exist among the counties of North Carolina and, where common problems exist, cooperation is necessary. The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners establishes as a principle the goal of providing control of essential services- at the level of government most capable of delivering them. Counties cannot be effective partners with the State and Federal governments if their primary revenue source, the property tax, is eliminated or is further eroded without replacement with revenue sources that are secure and predictable. Any restructuring of responsibilities should he coupled with a restructuring of revenue sources for counties in order that the sources of , revenue are reflective of the economy in the same proportion as those of the State. The Association believes strongly in maximu=m local authority consistent with attainment of statewide objectives. To this end, we believe in flexibility of form, function and finance. County officials recognize their responsibilities to carry out policies formulated by the General Assembly. At the same time, state policy makers should recognize the limitations of the county revenue base and the variations in revenue producing capabilities among counties. The Association believes that every child should have equal access to a high quality basic education program designed to prepare students for successful living, work, and good citizenship in a modern society. Recognizing that the responsibility for public education in our country is that of the states, the Association believes that adequate state resources must insure equal access to the Basic Education Program for all North Carolina children. The Association supports a continued Federal role in the funding of educational services. The Association further believes that citizen control of public schools is essential to guarantee continued widespread understanding and support for this major responsibility of government: the education of its people. Joint cooperative action between boards of county commissioners and local school boards is essential to the successful delivery of excellent public education. The free exchange of information and ideas among the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, the North Carolina School Boards Association, and the North Carolina Department of Public Education is likewise necessary to promote understanding of the variety and complexity of issues related to public education.