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By JOYANNA LOVE | Managing Editor

Clanton City Clerk Jonathan Seale recently became a Certified Municipal Clerk.

“Having the certification is a great tool,” Seale said. “It allows me to continue to go to classes and get updated on things that I can then bring back to Clanton and implement and suggest to the mayor and to the council. If we see a trend that is happening or there are issues that are coming up in the legislature that we need to be made aware of, that is a real good opportunity to learn about (it) and get a lot more detail.”

Seale said he began working on the certification in 2019.

“It normally takes three years, COVID obviously delayed us a year,” Seale said.

Documentation of completing the requirements was submitted to the International Institute of Municipal Clerks in November, and Seale was notified this month that he had received the certification.

An applicant’s experience on the job as a clerk is also a major component considered in the certification process.

The certification is the next step for municipal clerks looking to increase their knowledge and skillset. It serves as an added “validation” of a clerk’s abilities, Seale said.

Prior to completing this certification, Seale had become a Certified Municipal Revenue Officer.

Municipal clerks from various counties stay in contact via email and often answer questions for each other.

“We always say the clerk’s association throughout Alabama is one big family, and that’s so true … It is a huge great network that we are blessed to have,” Seale said.

Seale said he wanted to complete the certification for personal as well as professional development. It was also a way to continue learning about the ways that local government operations are changing.

“I love continuing education and professional development,” Seale said.

Seale will be continuing this through completing the International Institute of Municipal Clerks’ Master Municipal Clerk program. Classes are held twice a year through The University of Alabama.