Municipal Clerks Gather in Meridian

The Municipal Clerk Academy is held in Meridian for the first time. The academy began on Wednesday, with more than seventy municipal clerks and collectors from across the state gathering this week to participate.

"One of the biggest benefits of this program is the networking they can do while they are here," said MSU Extension Specialist James Camp. "They are in a unique profession where they are often the true leaders of the city. They can make partnerships where they can call on other clerks from around the state when they have a new opportunity in their community."

The president of the clerks and collectors' association says the eighty clerks participating in the academy are committed to bettering their community:

"I think it says a lot to their commitment," said Katie Harbin, President of MMCCAA. "We all came from all over the state. So, to be able to go to your mayor or your board and ask for permission to take off and to come to one central location to separate yourself and learn more so you can better yourself."

Meridian's municipal clerk Brandye Latimer is participating in the academy. Latimer says it's great to have the association to lean on.

"It's important to have that person there to maintain those records and those financial documents," said Latimer. "So, the Municipal Clerk Association is great about giving us the training that we need, the skills that we need, someone to network with when there are questions because there isn't a handbook to say this is what you do on a day-by-day basis."

The conference ends on Friday with an event at the Max.