Citizens’ Academy Week 2: County Government, Budget and 911 Operations

Participants in Week 2 of the Campbell County Citizens’ Academy got a closer look at how county government makes decisions, manages public funds and handles emergency calls.

Judge/Executive Steve Pendery introduced the class to the Fiscal Court and its role in county government, while Assistant County Administrator Kim Serra explained the county’s departments and the services they provide.

Finance Director/Treasurer Laura Lewis then walked participants through the county budget process, including where county revenue comes from and how those funds are allocated and spent. In their feedback after the session, participants identified the budget, tax dollars and county spending among the information they found most valuable.

Later in the evening, the class visited Campbell County Consolidated Dispatch, where Director Kimberly Dornheggen took participants inside the 911 center and explained its operations.

For many participants, that was a highlight of the night. Several mentioned the dispatch center in their feedback and said they appreciated the opportunity to see an operation that residents normally experience only from the other end of a 911 call.

Week 3 will introduce the class to Campbell County Cooperative Extension Services, Solid Waste & Recycling and the Campbell County Conservation District.

The Campbell County Citizens’ Academy is a free program that gives residents and business owners a closer look at county government and the people who provide county services.