By Jessie Burchette

Salisbury Post

Rowan County commissioners will be commuting to Hickory for three days to learn about county government.

All five commissioners, County Manager Bill Cowan and Carolyn Athey, clerk to the board, are attending a session offered by the UNC School of Government. The instruction concerns essentials of county government. Classes started this morning.

The session is recommended for new commissioners but also serves as a good refresher course.

Cowan said he’s attended the course several times and has always found it useful. “It changes some from year to year, but it’s about the basics,” he said.

Officials from the N.C. Association of County Commissioners, staffers from the Institute of Government and officials from other counties conduct the various classes

Topics range from clarifying roles and responsibilities of governing boards to the county’s role in economic development.

Other topics include how commissioners work together and how to do business in the public.

The session stretches from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at the Holiday Inn. The registration fee is $375 each or $2,625 for the seven participants.

Commissioners Jon Barber and Tina Hall, elected in November, will be attending the session for the first time.

Commissioners plan to make the commute daily in two vehicles.