THE FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES PRESENTED CHARLOTTE COUNTY COMMISSIONER ROBERT SKIDMORE WITH THE CERTIFIED COUNTY COMMISSIONER DESIGNATION FOLLOWING HIS COMPLETION OF A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY PROGRAM DEVELOPED BY THE ASSOCIATION.  SKIDMORE RECEIVED THE DESIGNATION ALONG WITH 48 OTHER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DURING AN AWARDS CEREMONY HELD AT THEIR CONFERENCE IN HILLSBOROUGH.  THE CERTIFICATION IS NOT A REQUIREMENT TO SERVE AS COUNTY COMMISSIONER, BUT COMMISSIONERS MAY VOLUNTARILY ENROLL IN THE PROGRAM AND COMPLETE A SERIES OF COURSES TOTALLING 42 HOURS.  THE COURSEWORK IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND ENHANCE SKILLS RELEVANT TO A COMMISSIONER’S DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL.  THE COURSEWORK COVERS MANY TOPICS, INCLUDING COUNTY GOVERNMENT ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, COUNTY GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE AND AUTHORITY, ETHICS AND SUNSHINE LAW, AND EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION.