Commissioner Named To Statewide County Association Post

August 21, 2008

President of the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) and Suwannee County Commissioner Randy Hatch has announced that Escambia County Commissioner Gene Valentino will serve as Co-Vice Chair with Holmes County Commissioner Raymon Thomas for FAC’s Finance, Transportation and Administration Policy committee. The FAC is committed to preserving home rule authority for our communities by restoring the partnership between counties and the state legislature.

“Valentino is dedicated to Escambia County and to ensuring that counties can continue to protect finance and transportation issues in the best interest of the state of Florida,” said President Hatch, “FAC is committed to working with the state legislature to restore a strong partnership to better serve the people of Florida.”

Each year FAC represents Florida’s 67 counties, focusing our legislative efforts in preserving ‘home rule’. Home rule is the ability of local governments set or remove regulations to better serve the unique environment of their county and its citizens. What may work for a large urban county does not necessarily work for a small rural county and each county should have the authority to make this imperative unique decision.

“I’m honored to serve this Finance, Transportation, and Administration Policy team. Creatively jump-starting growth of our transportation infrastructure is absolutely essential in supporting long-term economic growth, statewide,” said Commissioner Gene Valentino. “We must think “out of the box” if we are serious about Florida’s future.”

Commissioner Valentino’s history and commitment to finance and transportation issues qualify him to lead FAC in determining statewide policy that carefully balances the ‘home rule’ authority with the interests of the state, personal and professional rights. The mission of the FAC is “to preserve and promote democratic principles by working to keep appropriate authority at the level of government closest to the people, and to increase the capacity of Florida counties to effectively serve and represent the citizens of the state through legislative action, education of public officials, and enhancement of public awareness about the role and functions of county government.”

Founded in 1929, the Florida Association of Counties is a non-profit association representing the diverse interests of Florida’s 67 counties. Created in 1998, the Florida Association of Counties County Commissioners Voluntary Certification program has trained 196 county commissioners on the complexities of county government and public life.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News