Alabama League of Municipalities Graduates 98 Local Officials in Mobile as Fairhope Mayor Sherry Sullivan Gives Commencement Address

MOBILE, Ala. — Winning an election is only the beginning for Alabama’s mayors and council members. Once in office, they must learn how to run a city or town, from managing public money to following state law.

On Oct. 20, the Alabama League of Municipalities recognized 98 municipal officials from across the state who completed training designed to help them do that job well. The League held its annual graduation and awards ceremonies at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center, and Fairhope Mayor Sherry Sullivan, the League’s immediate past president, delivered the commencement address.

“With the world continuously changing, lifelong learning is essential for the betterment of our communities, and the Alabama League of Municipalities remains dedicated to providing intentional, engaging opportunities for municipal officials to learn best practices and skills to be their best selves,” League Executive Director Greg Cochran said.

“The League is proud to celebrate 98 graduates of our Certified Municipal Official program for working hard over the year to earn these distinguished certifications that will allow them to better serve their cities and towns.”

What the training covers

The Certified Municipal Official program, known as CMO, offers in-person and online instruction in government operations and practices that help officials follow state laws. Courses cover subjects including:

• Municipal budgeting and finance
• Ethics
• Public records
• Zoning and land use
• The duties of mayors and council members

Those topics reflect the everyday responsibilities of local officials, who approve budgets, oversee spending, make land-use decisions and must comply with the state’s ethics and open records laws.

Training now required for new officials

According to the League, mayors and council members who have not yet earned basic certification must complete 10 hours of training each year during their first term that began after Jan. 1, 2025, for a total of 40 hours. Those hours include 20 hours of core instruction and 20 hours of noncore training.

After earning basic certification, mayors and council members must complete five hours of training each year.

Officials can continue their education beyond the basic level by pursuing advanced and emeritus designations. Emeritus certification requires at least 120 credit hours of continuing education plus 15 participation points.

This year’s graduates

The League said this year’s ceremony recognized:

• 50 basic Certified Municipal Officials
• 41 advanced Certified Municipal Officials
• 8 CMO emeriti
• 11 officials receiving CMO Tier II emeriti recognition
• 1 official receiving CMO Tier III emeritus recognition, for training beyond 120 credit hours

Twelve graduates earned their basic and advanced certifications at the same time.

Three towns earn achievement awards

The League also presented Certified Municipal Achievement Awards to Glencoe, Hokes Bluff and Shorter. Established in 2018, the awards recognize municipalities where the mayor and every council member each complete at least 40 credit hours of training within a year.

Glencoe and Hokes Bluff are in Etowah County in northeast Alabama, and Shorter is in Macon County in east-central Alabama. Earning the award requires every elected member of a town’s governing body to participate, not just a few.

A long-running program

More than 5,200 municipal officials have participated in the League’s training program since it began 32 years ago. The nonpartisan League represents more than 450 incorporated cities and towns in Alabama and has supported municipal government through advocacy and training since 1935.

Mayors and council members who want to continue their training can review their completed courses and credit hours through the League’s online Member Portal. They can also find upcoming training opportunities there, including online classes, regional sessions and conferences held throughout the year.

A big week for Mobile and Baldwin leaders

The graduation was part of a busy stretch of League activity involving the region. The League recently selected Mobile and Chickasaw among 12 communities for its 2027 Economic Development Academy, and Sullivan served as the League’s president before her current role as immediate past president.

Why it matters

Local government decisions affect residents’ daily lives, from road paving and trash pickup to police and fire protection, utility rates and zoning. Many mayors and council members in Alabama’s smaller cities and towns serve part time and come to office from other careers. Training programs like CMO help them understand the legal and financial responsibilities that come with public office and can reduce costly mistakes.

Key facts

• Event: Alabama League of Municipalities annual graduation and awards ceremonies
• Date: Oct. 20, 2026
• Location: Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center
• Speaker: Fairhope Mayor Sherry Sullivan, the League’s immediate past president
• Graduates: 98 Certified Municipal Official program graduates
• Achievement awards: Glencoe, Hokes Bluff and Shorter