Education & Conferences

Small County Technical Assistance Program 

In order to help small counties deal with increasing heavy demands being placed upon their limited financial and staff resources, the Florida Association of Counties and leaders from small counties created the Small County Technical Assistance Services (SCTAS) Program. In 1993, with the help of the strong leadership of key legislators, the Florida Legislature authorized the program statutorily and has provided funding each year. SCTAS serves the 32 counties under 75,000 in population by providing management technical assistance in a broad range of areas.

This program has resulted in a service delivery mechanism for brokering a network of resources and management assistance to small counties. It allows these counties to improve the level of employee training, strengthen overall administrative and financial capabilities, and enhance cost efficiency and effectiveness of county services to local constituents. The assistance provided also helps counties maximize their own available resources and works to facilitate sustainable internal resources.

Examples of the various services offered to the small counties include:

Growth Management:

  • Development/Update of Comprehensive Plan Elements
  • Concurrency Training and Assistance
  • Comprehensive Plan/Land Development Code Amendments
  • Adopting/updating the 5-Year Capital Improvements Schedule
  • Facilitating Goal Setting/Visioning
  • Digitized GIS Mapping

Alternative Revenues:

  • Special Assessment & Impact Fee Studies
  • Cost Allocation Studies
  • Evaluating and Implementing Local Option Taxes and Fees
  • Bi-Annual Alternative Revenue Options Analysis (Scheduled for 2008)
  • Individual County and Regional Workshops

Human Resources:

  • Salary Surveys
  • Individual County and Regional Employee/Supervisory Training
  • Pay and Classification Studies
  • Employee Performance Evaluation Training and Tools
  • Bi-Annual Salary Survey of Key Administrative Positions (2007 Update)

Education and Training:

  • Commissioners Training through CCC Program
  • Leadership Development Training for Elected and Appointed Officials
  • Facilitating Organizational Visioning and Goal Setting
  • Commissioners Public Meetings Training

Technology:

  • Comprehensive Conditions and Needs Assessments
  • Web Page Creation/Enhancement
  • Integrating Information Among County and other Agencies
  • Integrating GIS with County Operations/Public Use

For further information, contact: Jim Parrish, SCTAS Manager, (850) 668-3384 or JParr82143@aol.com.