Hall County Board of Commissioners Chairman Richard Mecum was recently named as the 2015-2016 Chairman of the Public Safety and the Courts Policy Committee for ACCG, Georgia’s county association. The appointment was made by ACCG President and Gwinnett County Chairman Charlotte Nash during the 2015 ACCG Annual Conference held at the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center.
Legislative advocacy and public policy development are two of the primary services that ACCG provides to Georgia counties. The association uses a consensus-based policy committee process to bring together county commissioners and county staff to discuss issues of concern to county government that require changes to state and federal laws and agency policies. Policy committees develop positions on key issues, which become part of the County Platform. The County Platform is voted on by the membership at the ACCG Legislative Leadership Conference held annually in October. ACCG policy staff use the County Platform to guide advocacy efforts on behalf of counties during the legislative session.
“Policy committee leaders serve an essential function by leading their peers in the discussion of critical issues facing Georgia counties,” said ACCG Executive Director Ross King. “These committees provide a forum for learning more about key policy issues, and our chairs and vice chairs are responsible for helping to lead the discussion and develop consensus.”
The Public Safety and the Courts Committee considers issues pertaining to the funding and administration of the court system, criminal justice, public safety, law enforcement, corrections, jails and 911 operations. The committee also looks at alternatives to incarceration as a means of limiting the fiscal and social costs on county government. Additionally, the committee handles issues including emergency management, disaster relief and civil defense.
“I am pleased to have the opportunity to serve as Chairman of this committee and to work on legislative issues that have a direct impact on our community,” said Chairman Mecum.
Chairman Mecum will lead the Public Safety and the Courts Policy Committee with Barrow County Commissioner Ben Hendrix, who was named Vice Chairman.