County Commission | The Magazine October 2018 | Page 7

of commissioners in November.
Those of you who will continue to
serve actually now must take on the
responsibility to find your place —
no, to actually take your place — as
part of the new leadership.
This coming year presents an
outstanding opportunity for us to
finally do something about our
crumbling road and bridge system.
We will welcome in a new Legislature
— one that we believe is better
poised to address our infrastructure
needs. But that is only going to
happen if this organization assumes
the reins of this effort and demands
that we, finally, address this problem
in a fair and positive way.
You will be asked to come to
Montgomery; to speak out in your
community; to use your influence;
and to ensure that we do not fail. I
am fully committed. And if you are
not fully committed right now, then
I challenge you to get your heart
right. Cause it is going to take every
one of us. Every one. And we simply
cannot fail.
There are so many other issues
that also must be addressed in the
coming months.
The U.S. Supreme Court has
cleared the way for states to initiate
programs to collect revenue from
electronic retail sales delivered
into Alabama. Because of this
Association, and the insight of its
staff, we have been a national leader
on this subject since 2014. Just this
past session, many of you played key
roles in securing the passage of an
amendment to our SSUT law. We
almost certainly will face the need to
make further changes this session as
we look boldly toward protecting the
future of our communities.
Those who wish to push
responsibilities down to county
government are almost certain to
again try to fund the growing need
During the President’s Banquet, Tony Cherry exhorted county leaders to work energetically
for the betterment of all 67 counties.
for juvenile justice reform on the
backs of the county commissions.
With Steve’s leadership we pushed
back on this issue last session
and won a major victory — but
our opponents will be back. The
question is whether you will take
your place and
help us be ready.
The need for
mental health
reform, changes
to the process
for funding the
feeding of jail
inmates and the
reform of the
governance of our
state Retirement
System by
providing a
stronger voice for
local government
are other issues
that we will
tackle together
in the coming
months.
There are
so many other
public policy
questions
that must be
answered. But the hour is late, and
I know that you are probably ready
for me to sit down. But I can’t let
this Convention end without asking
for your support of the changes that
are just around the corner for
this Association.
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