County Commission President, Ricky Harcrow, has recently received two new government appointments. On June 27, 2018 President Harcrow was notified by Speaker of the House, Mac McCutchen of his appointment to the Local Motor Fuel Tax Advisory Committee created pursuant to Act No.2018-469 of the Acts of Alabama.This act establishes procedures for the Department of Revenue to provide taxpayers a system to file and remit county or municipal motor fuel taxes through a single point of electronic filing. The act creates a LMFTA Committee to review the design and operation of the system and make recommendations regarding the system requirements and functionality. Harcrow stated, “I am humbled by the confidence the county commissioners of our state, Speaker of the House McCutcheon, and probate judges have shown toward me. Local governments over the state are strapped for funding in so many areas. I see and hear about it everyday not only in counties over the state but also in our cities and towns. Act 2018-469 will simplify the process so those vendors who have to pay the Motor Fuels Taxes can do so without undue complications. They have requested such action for a long time. This represents NO new tax but simplifies the way the current taxes are submitted to assure that it gets to the right place at the right time. That is very important to us as far as cash flow is concerned, and it took legislative action to assure and correct it. Our oversight committee will assure that the counties and cities receive the funds allotted to them. We are also indebted to Representative Ledbetter and Senator Livingston together with all our legislative delegation for helping get this legislation passed. It is a very important ACT and we appreciate the help received to make it a reality. The first meeting will be held on July 17 in Montgomery at the Department of Revenue’s main office.”
Harcrow has also been elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors of County Risk Services Inc.(CRS), a non-profit corporation, provides administrative and support services for Alabama’s county governments. Sonny Brasfield, Executive Director of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama, stated, “Ricky’s election is another testimony to the leadership role he plays. This new corporation will allow for a more effective and efficient delivery of services that protect and defend county employees and officials all over our state.” Harcrow stated concerning this appointment, “Also as Chairman of the CRS, I and four others will report to the Alabama County Commission Association as a whole. County Risk services will provide administrative direction and claims services, safety assistance, underwriting, legal expertise for counties who are members of the liability and property insurance fund. It will expedite claims, and I am sure will save our local governments a great deal of expense by doing this in house. Yearly audits must be submitted according to law. Up to now this has been handled by an outside company. This program will take effect in January of 2019. By law neither of these boards can compensate their board members, but I am happy to help in any way I can, and I appreciate the confidence of so many over the state whom I have worked with for so long.”
Mountain Valley News (MVN) is your trusted source for weekly hometown news, serving the vibrant communities of DeKalb and Jackson Counties in the heart of Alabama. We're here to bring you the latest stories, events, and happenings, all available conveniently both online and in print. At MVN, we believe that community engagement is essential. We want to hear from you, our valued readers! Share your opinions, insights, and thoughts on our articles by adding a comment below each story. Your perspective matters, and your comments contribute to the rich tapestry of discussions in our community. Together, we can foster meaningful conversations and build a stronger sense of community. Join us in shaping the narrative of DeKalb and Jackson Counties. Your voice is important, and we look forward to reading your comments. Let's make our community news a truly interactive experience! Have a story idea or a topic you'd like to see covered? Feel free to suggest it in the comments or reach out to our dedicated team. We're here to serve you, and your feedback helps us tailor our content to your interests and needs.