Several city officials were recently recognized by the Arkansas Municipal League for maintaining or achieving their status and certifications as municipal officials.
El Dorado City Councilmembers Paul Choate and Dianne Hammond and City Clerk Heather McVay were honored during a banquet on the opening night of the AML's 2020 Winter Conference, which was held Feb. 12 -14 in Little Rock.
Choate, who is midway through his first term as a city council member, achieved his status as a Certified Municipal Official through the AML's VoluntaryCertified Continuing Education Program.
He was one of numerous city officials across the state who completed 15 core, Level 1 hours and six continuing education hours of study in several subjects, including budgeting, personnel management and methods of effective leadership.
To maintain certification, graduates must complete six hours of continuing education workshops each year.
"Each time I go to one of these sessions, I learn something that helps to better the city of El Dorado. It gives me the opportunity to network with someone who is in the same position," Choate said.
"A lot of communities are fighting the same issues as we are, whether it's on a larger scale or a smaller scale," he continued. "If I can pick up an idea that I think might help El Dorado, then it's worth the trip."
With the certification, Choate joined Hammond, McVay,and Councilmember Billy Blann as Level 1 Certified Municipal Officials.
Choate and Hammond represent Ward 4, with Choate in Position 1 and Hammond in Position 2, and Blann represents Ward 1, Position 2.
The education program will continue with workshops that will be held throughout the year at the AML's North Little Rock headquarters and in June at the league's Annual Convention in Little Rock.
The AML is also expanding its certification program this year by offering Advanced Level 2 workshops for municipal officials who have achieved Level 1 status.
Choate, Hammond, Blann and McVay are all working toward the Level 2 certification.
McVay said she is looking forward to participating in the inaugural, Level 2 classes, noting that a Level 3 designation has also been added to the continuing education program, with certification classes expected to begin in 2021.
McVay said she has held her Level 1 certification since 2014 and she is looking forward to the opportunity to advance to the next level of certification.
"I'm excited about it and there seems to be more people who want to participate in ongoing education," she said.
Hammond made similar statements, saying that she expects to complete the Level 2 certification requirements by the end of the year.
She and McVay said some of the Level 2 classes that will be offered include municipal finance and disaster preparedness.
"They added the Level 2 because they felt like the Level 1 classes had become repetitive," Hammond said.
"The Level 2 classes are going to introduce us to more information that we need to know, especially with the things that are going on in the city now," she added. "I've gone to all but one class since I started going. They're very educational and something that I feel like all city council members should be involved in."
A new Certified Municipal Personnel designation for key municipal personnel such as department heads and finance directors will also be offered this year.
The AML is a service and advocacy organization for the municipalities of Arkansas, offering programs and services to 500 cities and towns in the state.