![]( "Commissioners Aaron Bell, Justin Taylor and Thomas Ford display their plaques during the Florida Association of Counties annual conference in Orange County June 13.")
Commissioners Aaron Bell, Justin Taylor and Thomas Ford display their plaques during the Florida Association of Counties annual conference in Orange County June 13.
Four Nassau County commissioners were recognized by the Florida Association of Counties for their achievements.
Commissioners Aaron Bell and Thomas Ford earned the “Certified County Commissioner” designation following completion of a comprehensive study program developed by the association. Each received his designations along with 14 other county commissioners from across the state at the FAC’s annual conference in Orange County June 13.
“The Certified County Commissioner Program has taught me so much about important issues we are faced with as elected officials, including managing growth and protecting the environment,” Bell said.
Ford echoed his statement and added, “The Certified County Commissioner Program also provides elected officials with a greater understanding on Sunshine Law, ethics and ideas on how to provide our residents with the services they desire while keeping taxes low.”
CCC certification is not a requirement to serve as a county commissioner in Florida. However, county commissioners may voluntarily enroll in the program and complete a series of courses totaling 42 hours. The coursework is designed to provide information and enhance skills relevant to a commissioner’s duties and responsibilities as an elected official.
“The program provides an overview into the intricacies of county government where commissioners can learn a variety of valuable tools necessary to assist them in their public service every day,” said Florida Counties Foundation Executive Director Eric Poole. “Those that choose to participate in the program display an exceptional commitment to serving Florida’s counties.”
Commissioner Justin Taylor graduated from FAC’s voluntary Advanced County Commissioner Program, a special leadership program designed for CCC graduates.
The ACC program focuses on leadership with an emphasis on the future of Florida. Participants are tasked with preparing for the future by thinking and acting anew and asserting skillful leadership in times of daunting challenges and rapid change.
“Given that this is a voluntary program, those commissioners who chose to participate have shown an exemplary commitment to the betterment of the communities they serve,” said Poole. “The program is structured in a way that allows veteran commissioners from across the state to work collaboratively on Florida’s most pressing challenges.”
“The ACC Program provided me with an excellent opportunity to network with colleagues from other counties and has helped to maximize my leadership skills,” Taylor said. “I feel certain that program has given me the knowledge needed to effectively represent my district, as well as Nassau County”.
The ACC program is organized as a series of three seminars with 27 total hours of course work. Participating commissioners must commit to fully participate in all three seminars in order to graduate.
In addition to graduating from the ACC Program, Commissioner Taylor was recognized as a Presidential Advocate for his hard work during the 2019 Legislative Session. Commissioner Daniel Leeper also received this designation, but was unable to be in attendance.