Marla Jones, Managing Editor
marla@southerntorch.com
MONTGOMERY, Ala.-- The Association of County Commissions of Alabama initiated and supported legislation in the 2021 session to establish stronger representation for counties on the Board of Control of the State of Alabama Employees Retirement System. Over the last several years, participation in the retirement program by local government has grown significantly – to the point that local employees and retirees actually outnumber the state employees and retirees in the fund.
With the addition of two local government seats to the board, there are now five state employee-related seats, five local government-related seats, and five seats held by state officials or department heads. The Association believes that these changes will serve the employees and retirees, as well as the taxpayers, very well in the coming years.
One of the new seats is reserved for a person elected by the county employees and officials participating in the Employees' Retirement System. This election was held and DeKalb County Commission President Ricky Harcrow easily won the election to this very important position. He will serve for three years as a member of the board that oversees fund assets in excess of $15 billion.
Harcrow won 65% to 35% over his opponent James Fibbe, Jr. He was sworn into office on Tuesday.
“Since the new position created by the State Legislature was important for our county employees and the whole system of course I am grateful for all the support from over the state that I received. It’s an honor to serve our retirees and the people of our state and to receive 65% of all the thousands of people involved was remarkable for me to say the least” stated DeKalb County President Ricky Harcrow. “ I look forward to serving and working with the RSA board together with Dr. Bronner and Let me say thank you again to all the retirement system and to all the different agencies involved.”
Many praised DeKalb County Commission President Ricky Harcrow for his willingness to serve. “Ricky continues to be an outstanding and effective leader for county government in Alabama in so many ways. He is a past president of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama; chairman of the Board of Directors of County Risk Services, Inc.; and a former member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Counties. However, his election to this position might be the most significant of the many roles he plays on behalf of county employees and officials. Today, more than ever, the existence of a world-class retirement program is a major tool in recruiting and retaining the best workers for all 67 of Alabama’s counties. Ricky’s service on this board will only enhance our ability to provide the very best benefits to our employees all over the state and ensures that county employees will have an effective and respected voice at the table” stated Sonny Brasfield, Executive Director of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama.
“His willingness to serve, amid all of his other responsibilities, is another example of why we say that all 67 county governments speak with ONE Voice on behalf of the citizens we serve. We’re proud of his election and look forward to his service over the next three years” concluded Brasfield.
