County employees earn awards, elected to committees from ACCA

Published 11:06 am Monday, September 23, 2024

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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

More Chilton County employees were recognized by the Association of County Commissions of Alabama (ACCA) in August for awards, and to serve on committees.

Chilton County employees Terry Hinton and Tiffanee Thornton were presented with a Certificate in County Administration by the ACCA at the organization’s 96th annual convention in Orange Beach from Aug. 20-22. To receive the certificate, the employees approved to participate in the program must complete 60 hours of coursework to earn the certificate.

“The Association is proud of Terry, Tiffanee and the other county employees across Alabama who have demonstrated their commitment to becoming better public servants by participating in this education program,” Sonny Brasfield, ACCA Executive Director, said in a press release. “This is a proven program that requires participants to do more than simply show up for class. It involves a tremendous amount of dedication to making local government services better for our state’s residents.”

Additionally, Chilton County Commissioner Jimmie Hardee was elected to serve as a member of the 2024-2025 Legislative Committee of the ACCA. Hardee will be the Chilton County representative on the committee that features one chairman and one representative from each of the 67 counties in Alabama. Hardee will work with six steering committees while in this role to formulate the association’s legislative agenda for the 2025 Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature.

“Counties are a creation of the State, which means they can only do what the State authorizes them to do,” Brasfield said in the press release. “For this reason, counties must maintain an incredibly close working relationship with the Legislature, which is why serving on this committee is a tremendous honor and responsibility.”

The ACCA is a statewide organization speaking for all 67 counties with one voice. It promotes improved county government services in Alabama, offers educational programs for county officials and their staff members, administers insurance programs for county governments and employees, offers legal advice and represents the interests of county government before state and federal organizations and agencies.