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By MACKENZEE SIMMS | Staff Writer

PELHAM – After hours of continued education, Pelham Council President Maurice Mercer earned the Alabama League of Municipalities’ professional designation of Advanced Certified Municipal Official and was recognized during a graduation ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 30.

To earn the Advanced CMO designation, Mercer completed 80 hours of continued education in topics such as parliamentary procedure, the Alabama Open Meetings Act, public records, ordinance drafting, the state ethics law, tort liability, competitive bid law, zoning and planning, annexation, municipal regulatory powers, municipal revenues and expenditures, personnel actions and leadership development.

Mercer shared his belief that continuing education is a vital aspect of government.

“Continuing education is crucial for elected leaders as it equips them with the latest knowledge and skills to make balanced informed decisions affecting their constituents and communities they serve,” Mercer said. “Staying up to date on laws and best practices ultimately leads to better governance and stronger community outcomes.”

At graduation, Mercer joined other Shelby County officials such as Calera Councilmember Calvin Morgan and Councilmember Kenneth Cost as recipients of the Advanced CMO designation. In addition, Harpersville Mayor Theo Perkins earned the distinction of CMO Emeritus.

Founded in 1935, the Alabama League of Municipalities is an association dedicated to supporting municipal governments through advocacy and training. In 1994, ALM started its Certified Municipal Official program which is currently the second oldest elected municipal official training program in the nation.

ALM Executive Director Greg Cochran shared that ALM’s education program aims to edify municipal leadership for the betterment of Alabama communities.

“Alabama’s municipalities are the foundation of our state’s economy,” Cochran said. “Vibrant communities depend on knowledgeable and engaged leadership, which is exactly what the CMO program encourages through training on the finer points of municipal government.”

Officials that partake in the CMO program can earn one of three tiers of distinction. To earn the base certification of CMO, the official most complete 40 credit hours of training conducted or endorsed by ALM. The second distinction of Advanced CMO requires 80 hours of continued education. The third level of certification of CMO Emeritus entails 120 hours of training.

“Earning the Advanced CMO designation further showcases the commitment of community leaders to be better informed, more effective municipal officials,” Cochran said.

This year, 112 officials graduated during a ceremony in Orange Beach on Wednesday, Oct. 30. Of the 112 graduates, 50 became Certified Municipal Officials, 45 earned advanced designations and 17 graduated as CMO emeriti.

The 2024 graduating class joined the more than 5,200 municipal officials who have attend ALM training since its inception 30 years ago.

Those interested in learning more about the Alabama League of Municipalities of the Certified Municipal Official program can visit Almonline.org.