Popular Government

Drug testing of public employees is considered a search under the Fourth Amendment and therefore must meet certain requirements aimed at protecting people's privacy. What are these requirements, and when do they apply?

To address public health and environmental problems posed by disposal of large appliances and scrap tires, North Carolina has introduced an innovative funding method; one that also may work with old computers, TVs, and other electronic goods.

Audit committees help ensure the independence of contract and in-house auditors, whose role is to monitor the financial health of an organization. Such committees are little used in North Carolina government, however. This article explains why and discusses situations in which local governments should consider creating an audit committee.

"Participatory evaluation," an alternative to traditional approaches to evaluation, changes the nature of the activity from a process with potential conflict to an opportunity for program improvement and partnership.

This issue of N.C. Journal contains three articles:

• Study of Juvenile Representation in Delinquency Proceedings Under Way
• New Law Expands State Authority to Act in Event of Bioterrorism
• School Receives Grant to Promote Partnerships in Community

This issue of At the Institute contains three articles:

• Zoller Hired to Head Business and Finance
• Professional Associations and Businesses Join Challenge for Building
• Renovation and Expansion