Local Government Education

Every four years, some 3,000 local elected officials are given responsibility by the electorate for the formulation, adoption, and implementation of public policy in Mississippi's 82 counties and 297 municipalities. Typically, from one-third to one-half of these officials will be newly-elected, having never held public office. In addition, some 2,000 major appointed county and municipal officials assist these elected officials in governing and providing services.

These local government officials need orientation with respect to their duties and responsibilities when they are new to office. They also need continuing education throughout their term of office to help them stay current in the face of constant change. Local government law and practice change with each session of the Legislature.

The better educated a local official, the better job he or she will do in meeting the needs of the citizens. Through a variety of workshops, seminars, and training programs ranging in length from two hours to two weeks, we help fulfill the educational needs of these officials. We serve as the "educational arm" of the following associations of local government officials and special-purpose state agencies, working with them to plan and implement a variety of educational programs and publications:

• Building Officials Association of Mississippi (BOAM)

• Mississippi Assessors and Collectors Association (MACA)

• Mississippi Association of County Administrators/Comptrollers (MACAC)

• Mississippi Association of County Board Attorneys (MACBA)

• Mississippi Association of County Engineers (MACE)

• Mississippi Association of Governmental Purchasing/Property Agents (MAGPPA)

• Mississippi Association of Supervisors (MAS)

• Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)

• Mississippi Chancery Clerks Association

• Mississippi Chapter of the International Association of Assessing Officers

• Mississippi Chapter of the International Association of Personnel in Employment Security (MS-IAPES)

• Mississippi Municipal League (MML)

• Mississippi State Tax Commission

• Municipal Clerks and Tax Collectors Association of Mississippi (MCCA)

In designing and implementing educational programs for local officials, we collaborate with individuals, organizations, and firms in the private sector and with most of the state-wide elected officials and agencies within the three branches of state government. In particular, on the state level, we coordinate major educational efforts with the Office of the State Auditor, the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of the Secretary of State, and the Mississippi State Tax Commission.

Certification Programs

In cooperation with the Office of the State Auditor, we oversee legislatively-mandated certification programs for county purchase clerks, receiving clerks, and inventory control clerks and manage the professional education programs for county supervisors and county administrators required by the County Government Reorganization Act of 1988. With the Mississippi State Tax Commission, we provide legislatively-mandated certification training for tax assessors and appraisers. Our three-year Certification Program for Municipal Clerks and Tax Collectors and the Mississippi Education and Certification Program for assessors and appraisers are nationally recognized. We assist the Office of the Secretary of State in coordinating a training program for county and municipal election officials. Starting this year, in cooperation with the Mississippi Association of Governmental Purchasing/Property Agents, we will manage a new certification program for state and local government purchasing and property professionals.

Leadership Development

We work in the area of leadership development providing leadership training programs for citizens and government officials. Hundreds of individuals have received intensive training in principles of leadership, communications, community development, and government.

Programs for Youth

In cooperation with the 4-H Youth Development program area of the Extension Service, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, we coordinate an annual Legislative Page Program for youth participating in Mississippi 4-H clubs. We also support the Mississippi Association of Supervisors's county government education program for elementary schools.

Technical Assistance

We provide technical assistance, on a "time-available" basis, to counties and municipalities in such areas as general management, financial administration, personnel administration, leadership development, economic development, community facilities and services, and solid waste management. In addition, technical assistance in the areas of information technology and web site development and maintenance is provided to local units of government and associations of local government officials.