Core CCC Courses
The program content for each core course is designed to cover fundamental information necessary to effectively serve as a county commissioner. To be certified, commissioners must earn a minimum of 30 credit hours of core curriculum. Each core course is equivalent to 6 hours of credit. The majority of these programs are offered once a calendar year.
New Commissioner Workshop (Mandatory)
This in-depth course is designed to help officials transition into their new governing roles. Participants will gain an understanding of the wide range of topics that are important for their job including legal requirements, nature of county organization, finance and budget, and strategies for success in this role.
Ethics, Public Records & Sunshine Laws (Mandatory)
This course is designed to give commissioners an understanding of Florida’s stringent laws. Participants will broaden their knowledge of ethics requirements for elected officials, understand the Sunshine Law and Public Records Law, learn about reporting requirements, and become familiar with the process of an ethics complaint.
Financial Management
This course provides guidance for commissioners to better manage their county’s fiscal affairs. Participants will gain a basic understanding of the state’s fiscal trends, budgeting process, revenue sources available to their counties and the what, when and how to issue debt.
County Government Structure & Authority
This course looks at the authority that has been granted to counties by all sources, including the citizens. Participants will broaden their knowledge of county government form and function, of state government and how it relates to federal government, and of mandates and the impact they have on counties.
Growth Management & Land Use Decisions
This course is designed to give commissioners an understanding of the history of land use planning in Florida and how we got where we are today. Participants will learn the realities of implementing comprehensive plans including how amendments, development approvals, and exceptions should be handled.
County Government Roles & Responsibilities
This course looks at the functions of county government. Participants will better understand state mandated county government services including public safety, transportation and health and human services.
Mandatory Core Course Information
The New Commissioners Workshop is mandatory for commissioners elected after 1996. However, if the New Commissioners Workshop is not completed, participation in all five of the other core classes may be substituted.
The Sunshine, Public Records & Ethics Laws Course is mandatory. Commissioners may substitute the 12-hour on-line course, Florida Code of Ethics, Sunshine Law & Public Records Act, offered by the Florida Institute of Government. The on-line course will count as 6 hours of CCC credit. FAC staff can provide information on this program.
“The knowledge I gained while going through the Association’s CCC program was like getting a PhD in county government.” Commissioner Robert Abbott Flagler County