FROM STAFF REPORTS

CALERA— Calera Mayor Jon G. Graham has earned the professional designation of Advanced Certified Municipal Official after completing several training requirements.

Graham is a member of the 17th graduating class of Advanced Certified Municipal Officials and was recognized for his accomplishments during graduation ceremonies held in Montgomery on Dec. 9.

To achieve the designation of Certified Municipal Official, a municipal official must first complete 40 credit hours of training conducted or endorsed by the Alabama League of Municipalities. Then the individual must complete an additional 40 hours of training to receive advanced certification.

The Alabama League of Municipalities, under the direction of its executive committee, created the training program in 1994. Until that time, no formal training had been offered for elected officials.

The executive committee instituted a series of one-day educational programs designed for mayors and councilmembers who voluntarily wished to receive formal training in municipal government.

In 1998, the executive committee approved a series of training courses to be applied toward advanced certification.

Because of his attendance at statewide and regional educational conferences, Graham has received formal classroom training in subjects such as council meeting procedures, parliamentary procedure, the Open Meetings Act, public records, ordinance drafting, conflicts of interest, the State Ethics Law, duties of the mayor and council, tort liability, the competitive bid law, zoning and planning, annexation, municipal regulatory powers, municipal revenues and expenditures, personnel actions and leadership development.

“All CMO graduates spend many hours over several years attending day-long workshops and lectures on the finer points of municipal government,” said Ken Smith, executive director of the League of Municipalities.  “Earning the Advanced CMO designation is a significant achievement, and I commend our graduates for their dedication and motivation to become better informed, more effective municipal officials.”

The Alabama League of Municipalities was organized in 1935. Through the years, the organization has steadily grown and now serves more than 440 municipalities.

This voluntary membership program brings officials of cities and towns together in fellowship of public service, which strengthens and guides local government in a progressive, responsible fashion.

The primary purchase of the League is to promote understanding of municipal government and administration in Alabama and thereby advance the welfare of the people of this state.