Features of the NDCCA County Commissioners Handbook

Posted 8/10/23 (Thu)

An online resource for new and veteran commissioners

North Dakota County Commissioners now have a comprehensive and user-friendly online handbook. Making it an online publication allows it to be a “living document” that can be edited as things change or new information is added. You’ll find it at www.ndcca.org/handbook.

Developed by a Commissioner for Commissioners

The idea of handbook for commissioners came from Mountrail County Commissioner Trudy Ruland. In 2017, Ruland enrolled in Rural Leadership North Dakota, a program of North Dakota State University Extension. As part of the program, participants develop projects to benefit their community or profession. Trudy chose to develop a handbook for county commissioners.

Ruland chose the handbook idea because, “It’s something I really wish I had when I first got elected. I’m not so sure anyone who runs for county commissioner really knows all they need to know about the job. This is something new commissioners can use, but it’s even helpful to veteran commissioners like me.”

Trudy worked with NDACo Research Analyst Linda Svihovec. As a former McKenzie County Auditor and Treasurer, Linda had good insights on what kind of information commissioners need. “I certainly had to answer a lot of questions from commissioners over the years, especially new commissioners, so I knew what kind of information needed to be at their fingertips,” Svihovec said.

The handbook is on the North Dakota County Commissioners Association (NDCCA) website. The “Handbook” tab can be accessed from the home page, but commissioners may want to simply bookmark www.ndcca.org/handbook.

Let's explore the noteworthy features that make this web page an essential tool for anyone involved in county governance.

Intuitive Navigation:

The NDCCA Handbook web page starts off with an interactive Table of Contents. When a user sees the topic they want to explore, they just click the item and it zooms straight down to that information. The primary menu at the top of the page includes Policies, Procedures, Resources, Training, and more. This streamlined layout saves time and enables users to locate specific information effortlessly. As an option, there are instructions at the top of the page for how to do a word search.

Comprehensive Handbook:

At the heart of the NDCCA Handbook web page lies a vast collection of guidelines, policies, and procedures related to county governance. Covering a wide range of topics, the handbook provides detailed information on areas such as county administration, fiscal management, land use planning, public safety, and community development. Over time, it will grow in both volume and detail.

Up-to-Date Information:

Probably the biggest advantage of an online document is that it can (and will) be updated as things change, as they often do with each new legislative session. Commissioners don’t have to order a new book or worry about working with old information. By providing current information, the handbook ensures that county commissioners can make informed decisions and effectively navigate the evolving governmental landscape.

Downloadable Resources:

NDCCA Handbook web page provides downloadable materials for county commissioners and officials. These resources include forms, templates, checklists, and other helpful documents that streamline administrative tasks, enhance decision-making, and foster effective governance.

User-Focused Interface:

We hope the NDCCA Handbook serves as an invaluable resource for county commissioners and anyone interested in county government. By harnessing the features of this web page, county commissioners can navigate the many diverse functions of their jobs.

Although the navigation aims to be as intuitive as possible, we invite commissioner input on how to improve it. Just click on the graphic of a suggestion box to offer your suggestions or ask questions. The icon opens an email message directed to Linda.