A provision in the state budget, Section 7.17 of S.L. 2015-241, set new transparency requirements related to certain financial data of state agencies, counties, municipalities, and local school administrative units. The law mandates full compliance by April 1, 2016. But what does it actually require?

A provision in the state budget, Section 7.17 of S.L. 2015-241, set new transparency requirements related to certain financial data of state agencies, counties, municipalities, and local school administrative units. The law mandates full compliance by April 1, 2016. But what does it actually require?

The Town of Renewville has ambitious redevelopment plans for several key—but tired and/or underdeveloped—properties along its Main Street. As we know from a prior post examining the limited situations in which a local government may discuss property acquisition in closed session, the Renewville town council intends to kick-start the redevelopment process by acquiring several of those key properties directly.

The Town of Renewville has ambitious redevelopment plans for several key—but tired and/or underdeveloped—properties along its Main Street. As we know from a prior post examining the limited situations in which a local government may discuss property acquisition in closed session, the Renewville town council intends to kick-start the redevelopment process by acquiring several of those key properties directly.

Local government property tax offices are very good at what they do, with collection rates averaging around 98%.  But nobody’s perfect.  Mistakes happen.One common mistake is when property that should be taxed isn’t.  Perhaps the tax office never knew the property existed.  Or the tax office had the property on its tax rolls but for some reason failed to levy taxes on that property.

Local government property tax offices are very good at what they do, with collection rates averaging around 98%.  But nobody’s perfect.  Mistakes happen.One common mistake is when property that should be taxed isn’t.  Perhaps the tax office never knew the property existed.  Or the tax office had the property on its tax rolls but for some reason failed to levy taxes on that property.

During the 2015 legislative session, the North Carolina General Assembly enacted the Iran Divestment Act (S.L. 2015-118; SB455) (“the Act”) which prohibits state agencies and local governments from entering into contracts with entities that the North Carolina State Treasurer has determined are engaged in certain investment activities in the Iranian energy sector. What does this mean for local governments?

During the 2015 legislative session, the North Carolina General Assembly enacted the Iran Divestment Act (S.L. 2015-118; SB455) (“the Act”) which prohibits state agencies and local governments from entering into contracts with entities that the North Carolina State Treasurer has determined are engaged in certain investment activities in the Iranian energy sector. What does this mean for local governments?

Amanda works in the information technology department of Paradise County government. She is nonexempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act, meaning that she is entitled to overtime premium pay for hours worked over 40 in a week. But she is entitled to pay only for hours she actually works. Amanda has been accepted to the School of Government’s Municipal and County Administration course. She is excited to get a chance to understand the larger responsibilities and workings of local government, which will better enable her to design and code programs for the county’s very different departments.

Amanda works in the information technology department of Paradise County government. She is nonexempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act, meaning that she is entitled to overtime premium pay for hours worked over 40 in a week. But she is entitled to pay only for hours she actually works. Amanda has been accepted to the School of Government’s Municipal and County Administration course. She is excited to get a chance to understand the larger responsibilities and workings of local government, which will better enable her to design and code programs for the county’s very different departments.