Two Broward County Commissioners have been chosen for leadership roles in the Florida Association of Counties
Commissioner LaMarca Commissioner Sharief
Submitted by Kimberly Maroe
Commissioner Chip LaMarca is vice chair of the Urban Caucus 2012 Policy Leadership Committee. Commissioner Barbara Sharief serves as chair of the Health and Human Services Policy Leadership Committee. Both commissioners were appointed by Florida Association of Counties (FAC’s) president to serve on these committees.
The Urban Caucus Commit-tee members consider, discuss and recommend legislative policies most favorable to counties throughout Florida with large populations of more than 75,000 people, such as Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
“Although all of Florida’s 67 counties are important, urban counties, unlike small counties, must provide services for mill-ions of people, with annual budgets that stretch into the billions,” said Commissioner LaMarca. “We also generate a lot of revenue for the state of Florida and our needs are different from counties with small populations.”
Commissioner Barbara Sharief is the chair of the Health and Human Services Committee. The Health and Human Services Committee focuses on issues related to social services, health care, behavioral health, elder care, child welfare, emergency medical services and workforce development.
“The stakes are high this year. Counties stand to lose mill-ions and millions of dollars with the changes in Medicaid funding,” said Commissioner Sharief. “There is a multitude of legislation that has the potential to negatively impact health care and human services.”
Policy committees generally meet twice a year, a meeting in the fall and a wrap-up meeting at the legislative conference in late November.
During the association’s annual Legislative Conference, the general membership approves the legislative program and priorities for the ensuing legislative session.
FAC is the only association representing Florida’s counties – bringing together the collective experience and know-ledge of 377 county commissioners and supported by thou-sands of county professional staff.
FAC provides the cohesive platform that enables county officials and staff to speak with a unified voice on behalf of all Floridians.
Through FAC, counties are better able to serve not only their communities, but the en-tire state of Florida.
