• Topics: Clouser, Rodney L | Food and Resource Economics | County Commissioner Certification

A Survey of Education Program Needs for the Florida Association of Counties County Commissioner Training Program¹

The following is the executive summary of a much larger report, which is only available in pdf format. To access the complete report, please click here or go to (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/FE/FE63400.pdf).

Introduction

Florida Cooperative Extension has partnered with the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) and the Florida Counties Foundation (FCF) since 1998 in surveying Florida County Commissioners and County Administrators approximately every two years. The survey collects information regarding attendance at FAC-FCF sponsored events, willingness to pay for educational programs, worth of events and programs attended by commissioners and administrators, desired locations for educational activities and, most importantly, the type and amount of training needed by commissioners on various topics that would assist them as an elected policy maker.

The results of the 2005-06 survey are presented as an executive summary that follows. In addition, for the first time the executive summary, survey questionnaire and PowerPoint presentation of results are being made available via a link for those who would like to view or print the entire document.

Executive Summary

2006 County Commissioner and County Administrator Educational Survey

1. The survey response rate was large. A total of 250 surveys or 56.3 percent of all surveys were returned. The usable survey response rate was 55.4 percent (246 total surveys).

2. Almost three of every four commissioners (73 percent) who responded to the survey had been in office eight years or less.

3. Eighty-five percent of commissioners and administrators responding to the survey were from counties with a population less than 500,000.

4. Ninety-four commissioners or 48 percent of commissioner respondents to the survey are CCC (Certified County Commissioners) graduates.

5. Seventy-six percent of CCC graduates (some have not graduated yet) indicated they were interested in some type of postgraduate CCC curriculum and 71 percent of them would prefer a policy-based postgraduate curriculum.

6. Only thirty-eight percent of respondents support use of nationally or professionally recognized speakers if it would double the registration price of CCC events.

7. Survey respondents are open to use of technology in securing a maximum of six hours of credit towards certification: 75 percent would be likely to use web-based classes, 67 percent would be likely to participate in streaming video classes, 30 percent would be likely to participate in real time distance education classes and 40 percent would be likely to participate by use of taped (DVD, VCR) classes. There was little support (17 percent) for phone conference classes coupled with computer graphics.

8. More than six in ten respondents support authorization of computer-based classes for CCC credit.

9. The overall top-voted training topics in the policy and procedure area were growth management, land use planning and zoning, alternative revenues, economic development, strategic planning and community visioning and natural resources issues related to water and land use. The top training topics in the people and personal area were strategic thinking and planning, leadership skills, developing a policy framework, conflict resolution and listening skills.

10. When asked to rank only the three top training topics the most requested topics in the policy and procedure area were growth management, budget and financial management, alternative revenues, land use planning and zoning and strategic planning and community visioning. The most requested training topics in the people and personal area were leadership skills, strategic thinking and planning, developing a policy framework, constituent services and conflict resolution skills.

11. Preference for workshop locations in rank order is Orlando, Tallahassee, Tampa, Gainesville, West Palm Beach and Jacksonville.

Summary

Participation and returns of surveys by county commissioners and county administrators are at high levels. Prior to University of Florida Cooperative Extension becoming involved with the survey in 1998 the typical response rate was about 15 percent. In 1998, the survey response rate increased to 32 percent and, in 2002, the response rate was over 56 percent. Survey respondents indicated support for receiving some educational training through use of technology rather than at a location specific site.

From an educational standpoint, the most important education needs of those serving as county commissioners or administrators are:

• Policy and procedure topic areas: growth management, land use planning and zoning, alternative revenues, economic development, strategic planning and community visioning and natural resources issues related to water and land use.

• People and personal topic areas: strategic thinking and planning, leadership skills, developing a policy framework, conflict resolution and listening skills.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, Dean.

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