Clerks, recorders and treasurers from across the state gathered for five days of training as part of the 53rd Arkansas Municipal Clerks Institute, held September 14-18 at the Arkansas Municipal League’s North Little Rock campus. The Institute featured both Certification Class and Advanced Academy courses, covering an array of essential topics including an overview of municipal government in Arkansas, introduction to municipal accounting and audits, and record retention best practices. Members of the League staff provided updates on federal and state grants and recent legislation affecting cities and towns, including the Freedom of Information Act.

The 53rd Institute, the first since moving to the League’s education department, was a success, Director Kim Jones said. “The 55 students of this four-day intensive training are returning to their cities and towns armed with new awareness of best practices, applicable laws and ways to better serve their citizens. Certification Class students attended 20 classes, for a total of 34 hours. The curriculum included topics directly related to their positions, led by experts from the League, state agencies and current practitioners. Advanced Academy students participated in 14 hours of leadership, succession planning and updates.”

The next Municipal Clerks Institute workshop will be held October 23-24 in Brinkley. For more information, please visit armuni.org/MCI.