Marcus Jackson Earns Advanced Certified Municipal Official Award – Elmore-Autauga News

Report on Municipal Official Certification and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Certification Details and Contribution to SDG 11 and SDG 16

On October 30, 2025, Councilman Marcus Jackson of Prattville, Alabama, was awarded the Advanced Certified Municipal Official (CMO) designation. This achievement follows his Basic CMO certification in 2019 and signifies the completion of over 80 hours of advanced training. The curriculum directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

• Leadership Training: Fosters effective and accountable governance, a key target of SDG 16.
• Infrastructure Development: Equips officials to plan and manage resilient and sustainable urban infrastructure, directly aligning with SDG 11.
• Fiscal Responsibility: Promotes transparent and accountable public financial management, contributing to the development of strong institutions under SDG 16.
• Community Development: Provides skills to create inclusive, safe, and sustainable communities as envisioned in SDG 11.

Councilman Jackson is now pursuing the CMO Emeritus designation, demonstrating a commitment to lifelong learning and the continuous strengthening of institutional capacity.

The Certified Municipal Official (CMO) Program: A Framework for Sustainable Governance

The CMO Program, administered by the Alabama League of Municipalities (ALM), is a critical mechanism for advancing sustainable governance. Its objectives are intrinsically linked to the SDGs by equipping local leaders to:

• Make informed policy decisions, which builds effective and inclusive institutions (SDG 16).
• Promote transparency and accountability in local government (SDG 16).
• Enhance community quality of life through better urban management (SDG 11).

Legislative Mandate and Commitment to SDG 4 and SDG 17

The state of Alabama has institutionalized its commitment to capable local governance through recent legislation, reflecting principles of SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

1. The Alabama Municipal Official Training Act: Signed into law on May 3, 2024, this act mandates formal training for all elected municipal officials.
2. A Multi-Stakeholder Partnership (SDG 17): The law was developed through a partnership between the ALM and state legislators, demonstrating a collaborative approach to achieving governance goals.
3. Institutionalizing Lifelong Learning (SDG 4): By requiring formal training, the act ensures that municipal leaders are equipped with current knowledge, reinforcing the principle of quality and lifelong education to build institutional capacity for sustainable development.

Conclusion: Advancing Local Governance through Education

Councilman Jackson’s achievement exemplifies the impact of structured professional development on local governance. The CMO program and the supporting state legislation provide a robust framework for ensuring that municipal officials in Alabama are prepared to build sustainable, resilient, and inclusive communities. This commitment to continuous education directly contributes to the realization of multiple Sustainable Development Goals, primarily SDG 11 and SDG 16, by fostering strong, accountable institutions capable of effective community and infrastructure management.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article’s primary focus is on strengthening local governance. The Certified Municipal Official (CMO) program and the Alabama Municipal Official Training Act are designed to build “effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels,” specifically the municipal level. The training equips leaders to make “informed policy decisions” and promotes “transparency,” which are core principles of this goal.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The article highlights a commitment to continuous professional development and lifelong learning for public officials. Councilman Jackson’s progression from Basic to Advanced CMO, and his pursuit of the Emeritus level, exemplifies a dedication to “lifelong learning.” The program provides officials with the “knowledge and skills needed” to govern effectively, aligning with the goal of providing relevant skills-based education.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The training program’s curriculum, which includes “infrastructure… and community development,” directly contributes to building sustainable communities. The stated purpose of the training is to “enhance community quality of life” and ensure leaders can manage municipal operations effectively, which is essential for creating inclusive, safe, and resilient human settlements.

2. Specific SDG Targets

1. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
   • The article explicitly states that the CMO program helps leaders “promote transparency” and “govern more effectively.” The mandatory training established by the Alabama Municipal Official Training Act is a systemic effort to ensure all municipal institutions benefit from “knowledgeable, capable leaders,” directly addressing the development of effective and accountable local government.
2. Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.
   • The CMO program provides specialized, relevant skills for the “job” of a municipal official. The training in “leadership, infrastructure, fiscal responsibility, and community development” equips these adults with the specific competencies required to perform their public service duties effectively.
3. Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.
   • The article describes a program that builds the “capacity” of local leaders for municipal management. By training officials in governance and community development, the program directly strengthens their ability to plan and manage their cities and towns in a more sustainable and effective manner.

3. Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Existence of a legal framework for training public officials.
   • The article explicitly mentions the “Alabama Municipal Official Training Act,” which was signed into law. This law serves as a direct indicator that a system has been established to ensure public officials receive formal training, contributing to Target 16.6.
2. Number of training hours completed by officials.
   • The article specifies that Councilman Jackson has completed “over 80 hours of advanced municipal training.” This quantifiable measure can be used as an indicator to track the level of engagement and skill acquisition among officials, relevant to Target 4.4.
3. Number of officials achieving certification.
   • The article mentions different tiers of certification: Basic CMO, Advanced CMO, and the CMO Emeritus award. The number of officials who earn these designations serves as an indicator of the program’s success in building capacity for municipal management, which relates to Target 11.3.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: elmoreautauganews.com