Sandy Springs City Councilwoman Melody Kelley received the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute Certificate of Recognition during the Georgia Municipal Association’s annual Cities United Summit in Atlanta on Jan. 28.
The Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute, a cooperative effort of the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) and the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, provides training opportunities for city officials, according to a GMA press release.
“This is a remarkable achievement,” said GMA CEO and Executive Director Larry Hanson. “We commend Dr. Kelley for this accomplishment and for the dedication shown in using this valuable resource to become a more effective city official.”
A city official must earn a least 42 credits, including at least 18 hours from a list of required classes to receive the certificate, according to the release. More than 70 courses make up the training program.
“I’m convinced that the Municipal Training Institute is one of the most valuable resources our state offers to support locally elected officials,” Kelley said, according to the release. “I have completed 51 hours of (in-person) municipal training. I look forward to sustaining this level of engagement as a service to my constituency.”
Based in Atlanta, GMA is a voluntary, non-profit organization that provides legislative advocacy, educational, employee benefit and consulting services to all of Georgia’s 537 cities.