1,300 city, town officials to attend state Municipal League meeting

More than 1,300 mayors, council members, and other city and town officials are registered to attend the Arkansas Municipal League’s 85th convention when it opens Wednesday.

The convention is the largest gathering of municipal public officials in the state and is run by the Arkansas Municipal League, a service and advocacy organization for the state’s 500 municipalities.

Key topics at this year’s convention include:

■ An overview of legislation passed during the Arkansas Legislature’s 92nd General Assembly affecting cities and towns.

■ The role of municipal employers when it comes to medical marijuana.

■ Using new Opportunity Zones for economic development.

Twenty-one concurrent workshops include topics such as:

■ The collection of online sales taxes.

■ The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act’s new audio recording requirement.

■ Cybersecurity.

■ Building design regulations.

■ Street and infrastructure funding.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson will speak at noon as part of the awards luncheon on Thursday.

On Friday, the convention will conclude with the new officers and awards luncheon at noon. The new league president and officers for the year 2019-2020 will be introduced, and individuals will be honored for their service to municipalities during the past year.

Panels, seminars and workshops will be held at the Statehouse Convention Center and Marriott Hotel in Little Rock.

Municipal officials from across the state will elect new officers, update the Municipal League’s policies and goals, and discuss local and national issues affecting towns and cities.

The convention will also include three hours of the league’s Voluntary Certified Continuing Education Program for municipal officials.

North Little Rock Mayor Joe Smith, Municipal League president, and Jonesboro Mayor Harold Perrin, first vice president, will preside during the convention.