NC Towns Talk Benefits of MAS

The North Carolina League of Municipalities is an association that was created back in 1908—100 years ago—to serve all our cities and towns in North Carolina. As plants and mills and factories left the rural parts of our state, and with them a lot of population, those cities and towns were left with a problem. Some of them could come back on their own; others, however, would need some basic help to get that footing. And once they get that footing, they're going to be able to prosper again.  

The North Carolina General Assembly saw this problem. They knew it and they came up with a solution. With funds allocated from the General Assembly, NCLM created the Municipal Accounting Services program. The General Assembly gave the North Carolina League of Municipalities this appropriation to help us provide general technical assistance that our cities and towns need and provide the implementation of this new accounting software to bring our cities and towns in line with where they need to be financially. 

Ashley Eure, Hertford: The software that we had at the time, we were struggling. If you needed any assistance, you know there was no assistance there. 

Janet Gerald, Kingstown: We currently had been using a software that was not giving us the results of everything we would need for our financial program. 

Wendy Holland, Pikeville: Prior to going live with this new system, I felt like we weren't getting all the information that was needed actually to perform our jobs. 

Judi Lannon, Aurora: We found ourselves without an auditor. And so my audits were late and I was getting all kinds of inquiries. I needed a lifeline. 

Joel Killion, Bailey: When you're out here in the front lines and trenches and you feel like you're alone, it is hard to do your job. 

Katie Atkins, Caswell Beach: The finances are one of the most important things in local government and if you have staff and programs that don't offer the tools and resources, then I feel like your staff cannot give 100% to the citizens. 

We found that some of our towns did not need a full on computer software accounting program, but they just were small and needed that basic finance training and help. We are able to go to them, to sit in their office, and give training one-on-one, personally helping answer those questions, providing mentoring. We're trying to meet their needs where they are. And it's becoming very effective. 

Ashley Eure, Hertford: As far as having help from the League, if you run into any situations or you have any problems you can't figure out how to a report, they're there to help you. Whereas any other software that I know of, you don't have that. 

Wendy Holland, Pikeville: We learn everyday something new that we can do, produce, help with our billing. Before, we didn't have any of that offered with our software. 

Janet Gerald, Kingstown: I can see the benefits. I can see the results  

Angela Smith, Rose Hill: I think it's a useful tool to provide guidance for the town and the employees of the town. 

Keren Parker, Rose Hill: I think it's very informative, very beneficial, especially for someone like me that is starting off. 

What this means is more efficient government. City finance employees who are more successful, able to keep the city within required accounting standards. They're happy and supported. They're more likely to stay. 

Judi Lannon, Aurora: It's taking me as a clerk finance officer, back to the elements of what I need to be focused on. That had to happen in order for the town of Aurora to move forward like it should and function like it should as a municipality. 

Tracy Shearin, Castalia: I love that they are teaching me not just how, but why. 

Wendy Thompson, Jonesville: We understand more about our software program. We understand more about the information that we are giving out and it's given us confidence. 

Ashley Eure, Hertford: I do not know if I could do my job without them and what I've learned from them. 

Wendy Holland, Pikeville: I don't know what I’d do without the League, because with the software and the League’s help, when you call and they're there to assist you and help you, it makes the whole package worth it. We've come a long ways. 

Katie Atkins, Caswell Beach: I think the MAS program is a crucial program and it's made my transition into this position smooth. It has boosted my confidence. 

Joel Killion, Bailey: Going through this so far has allowed me to know what I'm doing well, what I can sharpen on. As a result, each time we're done with our training  I feel a little bit more confident. 

Judi Lannon, Aurora: I can say that the League of Municipalities has been wonderful to not only this town, but all small towns in North Carolina. 

Joel Killion, Bailey: To know that I have someone I can call makes all the difference in the world. When I came into this role, I didn't know who I could call. And I was having to figure a lot out on my own. 

With the funds, the General Assembly has appropriated, we've also been able to provide grant writing help, helping our town supply for millions, and grants and receiving millions in grants. In addition to legal assistance from specialized attorneys, they would not normally be able to reach or to afford to retain. 

Chancer McLaughlin, Hope Mills: Our experience has been nothing short of remarkable. It allows us to go after funding in a way that we were not aware of, that indirectly puts us in a situation where we have a stronger platform to meet the needs of our residents. That's the power of this. 

Angela Reece, Black Mountain: This really was a godsend. Through the program, we were able to be connected with Parker Poe, attorney firm. With their levels of expertise, the wealth of knowledge that those folks had to guide us through this process was amazing. 

Doris Walton, Hertford: It's the writing of a specific grant for a specific project at a time where we're rebuilding and the League to offer that service to us, I can't put a value on it. 

Trey Sanderson, Nashville: They're here to come in and partner with you and make your your policies and procedures more sustainable, make your town more secure, make your citizens more secure. They teach and they grow and they equip and it doesn't cost anything. 

Hands down, these successes are a direct result of the General Assembly's actions. We absolutely would not have been able to provide the level of training and technical assistance without the generosity of the legislative appropriation, seeing the success, the pride and the hope that these towns have is just the beginning. With continued support, North Carolina's municipalities will continue to serve their communities with professionalism and financial accountability. 

Chancer McLaughlin, Hope Mills: I want the state to understand that this is something that we really appreciate having an opportunity to participate in. 

Trey Sanderson, Nashville: So without this program we would not be able to offer our staff an understanding, a growth opportunity for us all to get better, for our town to get better, and for our citizens to have a better experience. 

Ashley Eure, Hertford: Just having that help and having somebody there to help you, to guide you, I mean it's that has been tremendous for us. The MAS program has really helped that and I really hope that they will be able to continue to help more towns. 

Wendy Holland, Pikeville: I would like to see the funding for the program continue to help small towns like it has helped the town of Pikeville. I think it’s a wonderful program, I really do, and I think others will find the same thing if given the opportunity and the funding to go on the software. 

We thank our state legislators for your trust in us with these programs and we hope we'll be able to continue the good work. 

Wendy Thompson, Jonesville: I pray the state sees the benefit for the state, for the local government and for the citizens in keeping this program going and funding it.