Algona Mayor David Hill recently received an Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership (CML) from the Association of Washington Cities (AWC).

Hill completed more than 60 hours of training credits to earn the distinction and demonstrated valuable service to his community.

The CML program is designed to enhance the ability of elected municipal officials by providing knowledge and skills to effectively operate within the law, plan for the future, secure and manage funds and foster community and staff relationships.

To earn the certificate, the official attends a variety of AWC sponsored municipal workshops; including sessions on budgeting, community planning, personnel and leadership. The courses help the mayors and councilmembers learn the essentials of municipal service and improve their ability to work with council colleagues, city staff and citizens.

AWC is a private, non-profit, non-partisan corporation that represents Washington’s cities and towns before the state legislature, the state executive branch, and with regulatory agencies.

Membership is voluntary, however, AWC maintains 100-percent participation from Washington’s 281 cities and towns. The goal of AWC is to create and maintain livable cities and towns throughout the state.