Office of State and Local Government Programs

Iowa State University Extension State and Local Government Programs reach public officials in all 99 Iowa counties and in a majority of the state's 950 incorporated cities every year. The Office of State and Local Government works with various state, county and municipal organizations and their affiliates to deliver educational programming to enhance government service delivery through the professional development of elected and appointed staff.

The Municipal Professionals Institute and Academy operated by ISU Extension has been in existence for more than 30 years and remains the largest of similar programs in the United States and Canada. The program, which brings participants to Ames each summer for in-depth training, provides the foundation education for various professional certifications. City officials who want additional training also can participate in the Academy of Advanced Education.

While the Municipal Professionals Institute is the most structured of Extension's state and local government programs, regional meetings are held each year, often cosponsored by Extension partners such as the Iowa League of Cities or the Municipal Finance Officers Association. Training also is offered at annual meetings of many of the partner organizations.

Other special programs include training for township trustees and township clerks and mayor/council orientation sessions after each election. Orientation and facilitation sessions also have been conducted for members of the Iowa Association of School Boards and various affiliates of the Iowa State Association of Counties.

Download the updated City Clerks/Finance Officers Handbook for 2013.