Sheriff Andy Taylor holds a fundraiser to raise money for, and promote awareness of, his office’s drug abuse resistance education (D.A.R.E.) program. The office raises approximately $5,000 in cash and checks from the fundraiser (selling Aunt Bee’s famous pies) and … Read more

North Carolina’s open meetings and public records laws contain the core transparency requirements for local governments. They’re so often considered together that they can be thought of as first cousins, or even siblings. But they’re not twins, and the North … Read more

Every now and then a city or county wants to serve beer and wine, or maybe even mixed drinks, at an official event. It might be a retirement party in the council chambers or perhaps a reception for a new … Read more

For those of us who work with local taxes, the most important news out of the General Assembly this summer was what didn’t happen. The legislature did not create any major new property tax exemptions.  The long-awaited overhaul of the registered … Read more

During the 2012 Session, the North Carolina General Assembly enacted significant legislation that completely reorganized and updated the state’s emergency management statutes, extended the legal length of law enforcement and emergency management vehicles, and created the criminal offense of terrorism.  … Read more

UPDATE OCTOBER 2015: During the most recent legislative session, the General Assembly enacted S.L. 2015-109, which removed the sunset provision and thereby made the prohibition on the contingent fee audit contracts described below permanent. In 1993, the North Carolina Supreme Court held that … Read more

The county board of commissioners is holding a public hearing on a controversial rezoning. The hearing has been going on for an hour and there are many interested citizens waiting to speak. The board chair knows the agenda for the … Read more

In North Carolina, public mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services are provided through local government agencies called area authorities (also called “local management entities” or “LMEs”). Each board of county commissioners, either singly or jointly with other boards … Read more