Madison County commissioners, staff member recognized

Madison County commissioners Phil Vandiver, left, and Steve Haraway, right, receive institute diplomas from Debbie Wood, president of Association of County Commissions of Alabama. (CONTRIBUTED)

MONTGOMERY -Madison County elected officials have completed training that will allow them to better serve constituents.

Commissioner Roger Jones was elected to a second term on the Association of County Commissions of Alabama board of directors.”We are excited about Jones’ leadership abilities and dedication to strengthening county government in Alabama. We believe he will continue to be an excellent member of the association’s board of directors,” association president Debbie Wood said.

“County government in Alabama is undergoing tremendous changes. Our board members must provide the leadership necessary to help our counties face these changes on the local level,” she said.

Commissioner Phil Riddick was re-elected to serve as a member of the association’s legislative committee. This committee formulates the association’s agenda for legislators’ actions in the upcoming year. Members include association past presidents still active in county government and representatives from the association’s 12 districts.

Jones and Riddick represent District 2, which includes Limestone and Madison counties.

Madison County Administrator Kevin Jones accepts his diploma from Debbie Wood, president of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama. (CONTRIBUTED)

In addition, Commissioners Steve Haraway, Edward Sisk and Phil Vandiver completed 50 hours of education with the Alabama Local Government Training Institute on the county commission’s basic responsibilities.

The program emphasizes budgeting, personnel matters and planning, along with road and bridge responsibilities. In 1994, the Alabama Legislature started the mandatory program for first-time county commissioners as a joint effort between the association and Auburn University.

Madison County Administrator Kevin Jones earned professional certification from the County Government Education Institute. This certification involves 72 hours of course work in six courses of 12 hours each.

“No matter how much experience you bring with you, county government is highly specialized, so new commissioners find they have much to learn,” association executive director Sonny Brasfield said. “Commissioners first elected in 2012 have made their education a top priority. They wasted no time and should be commended for their dedication to their county responsibilities.”

For more information, call 334-263-7594 or visit alabamacounties.org.