Municipal League set to convene this week

The 84th annual Arkansas Municipal League Convention begins Wednesday, with about 1,200 mayors, council members and other local government leaders registered to attend three days of speeches, panel discussions and workshops at the Statehouse Convention Center and Marriott Hotel in Little Rock.

Topics include opioid addiction and abuse in Arkansas; land-use challenges; crime prevention efforts; economic development; and cybersecurity.

Officials will update government leaders on legislation and legal issues affecting towns and cities across the state, including the status of a lawsuit filed earlier this year in Arkansas by cities and counties against opioid drugmakers.

Convention speakers include Sam Snodgrass, an addiction specialist with the Stockton Medical Group, on Wednesday, and Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Thursday.

Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse, the league’s president, and North Little Rock Mayor Joe Smith, first vice president, will preside during the three-day conference. New officers will be elected Friday, the final day of the convention, when Smith will likely be voted into office as the league’s new president.

Three hours of the voluntary certified continuing education program for municipal officials will be offered.

The Arkansas Municipal League is a service and advocacy organization for municipalities. The municipal league offers programs and services to the 500 cities and towns in Arkansas.

Additional information is available at the municipal league website, www.arml. org.