2012 Legislative Leadership Conference The Classic Center Athens-Clarke County Sunday, September 30 - Tuesday, October 2. Sunday, September 30

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1 2012 Legislative Leadership Conference The Classic Center Athens-Clarke County Sunday, September 30 - Tuesday, October 2 Sunday, September 30 Registration 3:00 5:00 pm -Firehall Opening Reception UGA Special Collections Library 5:30 7:00 pm Reconnect with your county peers during the conference opening reception at the University of Georgia Special Collections Library. This beautiful new facility opened in February 2012 and houses the Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, the Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies and the Walter J. Brown Media Archives and Peabody Collection. Explore the three interactive galleries featuring exhibits from Georgia s political history (including a replica of Senator Russell s office), recognized photographs and memorable media clips from national events and other interesting collections you won t want to miss. A shuttle will run between the Classic City Hilton Garden Inn, Hotel Indigo and Foundry Park Inn and the library between 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm. ACCG staff will be at each hotel to connect you and the shuttle! page 1

2 Monday, October 1 Registration 7:00 am 6:00 pm -Fire Hall Breakfast 7:00 8:30 am Commissioners Training Program 8:30 am 3:15 pm Capital Improvement Programs -Athena Ballroom I/J County Government Law -Athena Ballroom G/H CCAP Managing Growth: A Blueprint for County Government -Parthenon Ballroom I CCAP: Hot Topics Parthenon Ballroom II Standard of Excellence Session 2013 Tax Reform Implementation: Is Your County Ready? 8:30 11:30 am Significant tax reform changes that will impact local revenues statewide go into effect in early Counties need to take steps now to prepare. For example, the sales tax exemption on energy used in manufacturing goes into effect on January 1, County officials and staff should discuss whether to implement a local energy excise tax to replace these lost revenues or identify how to adjust the budget to account for this decrease in funds. In addition, the sales tax on motor vehicles is scheduled for elimination on March 1, 2013, and the annual ad valorem tax on vehicles will start to phase out. These revenue sources will be replaced by a new title ad valorem tax that will be collected and distributed by the county. ACCG will highlight the decisions and implementation actions your county needs to take before the end of the year and answer questions about these and other tax reform changes. Vicki Lambert of the Georgia Department of Revenue joins ACCG Legislative Director Clint Mueller to discuss these changes. page 2

3 County Communications Staff Workshop 10:15 11:15 am -Willow Room Lunch Partnering with the State to Ensure Best Use of Taxpayer Dollars: A Review of State Statutes and Other Requirements 12:15 3:15 pm Georgia counties, like the state, are challenged with stretching limited taxpayer resources to meet service demands. This job is made all the more difficult when certain federal and state-mandated programs continue to fall on counties to implement and fund. This session explores ACCG s ongoing efforts to reduce and remove outdated or unnecessary mandates on county governments and explains how ACCG is working with various state partners to streamline government, reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies and save real taxpayer dollars. It also provides attendees with an opportunity to share any state requirements they feel should be addressed at the Georgia General Assembly with ACCG staff. Presenters are State Senator Rick Jeffares, Jim Frederick of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and David Word with Joe Tanner and Associates. LOST Roundtable 12:30 2:00 pm -Willow Room Hear tips and strategies learned from LOST negotiations taking place around the state. Business Session 3:30 pm -Athena Ballroom A/B/C/D Adoption of Business Session Procedures Report of Policy Council and Adoption of 2013 ACCG Policy Statement Other Business Opening Reception 5:30 6:30 p.m. -Athena Ballroom Pre-Function Area page 3

4 Dinner 6:30 pm Welcome to Athens-Clarke County Mayor Nancy Denson Election Trends in 2012 Matt Towery, Chairman & CEO, Insider Advantage Georgia When it comes to state and national politics, Matt Towery has a pulse on what s happening. As the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Insider Advantage Georgia and James Magazine, people turn to Matt Towery to get insight on elections, legislative issues and other hot political topics. He has appeared on national programs ranging from ABC's "Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher," FOX News "The O'Reilly Factor," CNBC's "Hardball with Chris Matthews," NBC's "Leeza" and CNN's "Talk Back Live" and "Inside Politics with Judy Woodruff." In addition, he has also served as campaign strategist for a number of national political campaigns. Tuesday, October 2 Breakfast and Certificate Presentation 7:30 am Commissioners Training Program 8:30 am 3:30 pm Federal and State Relations: The Art of Getting Things Done -Athena Ballroom I/J Planning for Quality Growth -Athena Ballroom G/H CCAP Advanced County Law -Parthenon Ballroom I CCAP Tax Policy: Concepts and Practices -Parthenon Ballroom II Standard of Excellence Session: page 4

5 As Criminal Justice Reform Implementation Begins, Attention Turns to Juvenile Justice Reform for :30 am 11:30 am During the 2012 session of the Georgia General Assembly, legislators passed HB 1176 which paved the way for sweeping changes to the state s criminal justice system. State agencies and local governments now are working to implement the required changes and assess the financial and other impacts. Because of the far-reaching nature of criminal justice reform, the juvenile code rewrite was put on the back burner last year. However, the Criminal Justice Reform Council has been tasked with looking at a new piece of legislation specific to juvenile justice. Learn about the impact that criminal justice reform is having on state and local government budgets and how proposed changes to the juvenile justice system may increase costs to counties for hearings, prosecutors, attorneys and more. Lunch Standard of Excellence Session: Life after TSPLOST What s Ahead for Transportation in Georgia 12:30 pm 3:30 pm The referendum on the regional TSPLOST was marked by heated debate in many areas of the state with vocal supporters and opponents. While three regions passed the referendum and are planning for the resulting transportation investment, the rest of the state must consider next steps. But what is Plan B? Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) officials, legislators and others will discuss possible approaches under consideration as well as changes to the GDOT Local Maintenance and Improvement Program (LMIG) and additional sources of revenue for transportation and economic development projects. Participants will also get updated on several federal transportation issues, such as changes to the implementation schedule for retroreflectivity on road signs, as well as discuss how to use national and state infrastructure banks to leverage local funding and complete transportation projects more efficiently. page 5