Newsworthy (Summer 2009) - Under Study
Oconee County elected officials now have detailed information about the legislative and executive form and function of their government through assistance provided by Vinson Institute local government specialists.
The goal of the study was twofold, according to Harry Hayes, Vinson Institute faculty member and local government projects manager. "Officials were particularly interested in identifying approaches related to operations, communications, and organization that they can consider in order to meet current needs of the county. At the same time, the study findings help to establish a benchmark for documenting the respective roles and relationships for both current and future elected officials," he explained.
Institute faculty worked closely with the county attorney to make certain that the alternative approaches are within the legal authority currently granted under existing statutes, Hayes emphasized.
The study methodology encompassed interviews, assessment of comparable counties' legislation, and research on current practices. This included a combination of information from Oconee County, data from state and federal governments, other counties, and input from Vinson Institute faculty. Oconee data was in the form of organizational documents and records and interviews with elected officials and staff. Data from comparison counties came from the U.S. Census, Georgia statutes, the Department of Community Affairs, the Association County Commissioners of Georgia, and directly from the Georgia comparison counties.
"We hope that this type of data-driven, objective study provides Oconee officials with information and insights to help ensure that they are serving residents at the optimum level," Hayes concluded.
