Commissioners A.M. “Hupp” Huppmann and Klynt Farmer were both presented with the Certified County Commissioner (CCC) designation from the Institute of County Government (ICG) during an awards ceremony held at the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) Annual Conference and Educational Exposition held in Orange County, Florida.
The CCC designation is a voluntary program of study designed for county commissioners to learn information and enhance skills relevant to their duties and responsibilities as an elected official.
Upon completing the program, Commissioner Huppmann stated, “I’m grateful that the Florida Association of Counties has this type of program in place. It allows new Commissioners such as myself to quickly gain insight and valuable knowledge in complex areas of a properly functioning local government. Education is a key element to effectively serving the citizens of Nassau County. I look forward to starting work on the Advanced County Commissioner Level I and II programs.”
Commissioner Klynt Farmer added, “The Certified County Commissioner program is a great resource to Commissioners. Not only does it allow us to gain knowledge that can be used to better serve our constituents, it also allows us to hear about important issues that counties are facing around the State and to learn from their experiences. I can’t say enough great things about this program. I am also looking forward to becoming an Advanced County Commissioner so I can continue to maximize my leadership skills.”
The CCC educational program is an initiative comprising 45 hours of coursework. This program's curriculum encompasses a diverse range of courses, such as growth management, financial management, and ethics, as well as elective courses such as affordable housing, emergency management, and resiliency.
“Due to the voluntary nature of the CCC program, a commissioner who dedicates themselves and their time is making a profound commitment to their community,” shared Eric Poole, the Executive Director of the Institute for County Government. “Their pursuit reflects their determination to challenging themselves to be the most effective public servant possible.”
Alongside Commissioners Huppmann and Farmer, 19 commissioners earned the CCC designation at the FAC award ceremony. A total of 554 commissioners have graduated from the program since its inception in 1996.
The CCC program is made possible through a continuing partnership with the University of Florida/IFAS Extension, located in all 67 counties in the State of Florida.
To learn more about ICG and the CCC designation, please visit flicg.org.
Founded in 1929, the Florida Association of Counties has represented the diverse interests of Florida’s counties, emphasizing the importance of protecting home rule – the concept that communities and their local leaders should make the decisions that impact their community. The Florida Association of Counties helps Florida’s counties effectively serve and represent their communities through Advocacy, Collaboration and Education.