Wednesday, 16 August 2023
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Open Meetings Training Class
Open, accessible meetings are a hallmark of local government and are important for communicating with residents and businesses. This class examines the requirements of Georgia’s Open Meetings Act, what constitutes a “meeting” and the limited circumstances authorizing executive sessions. The importance of proper notice as well as meeting agendas, summaries and minutes are discussed. Class participants are apprised of potential consequences for failing to follow the law.
Time1:00 PM - 4:00 PMSpots available47
1:00 PM

Succession Planning: Preparing for Tomorrow’s Workforce
Currently, a quarter of the local government workforce is age 55 or older and more than half is age 45 or older. The inevitable exodus of long-serving and knowledgeable city employees could pose significant consequences to city operational efficiency and effectiveness. This class represents a beginning step for city officials to understand the value in developing a succession plan for their city to ensure it has qualified employees in place to provide high-quality services to city residents and businesses.
Time1:00 PM - 4:00 PMSpots available47
1:00 PM

Thursday, 17 August 2023
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Grant Resources
Grants and technical assistance from state and federal agencies often seem out of reach for small cities, but they don’t have to be. This session consists of a city panel discussion followed by a presentation on GMA’s grant resources. The panel is set up to highlight the efforts of both city staff and elected officials when it comes to funding community projects with competitive grants. Many times small cities do not have a dedicated grants administrator, and staff often have to wear multiple hats. The panel discussion will provide small cities with tips, best practices and the confidence to navigate the grants process and demonstrate to cities that they too can build relationships with agency contacts and compete for grant funding! The session will conclude with a live walk-through/demo of GMA’s grants resources on website.
Time10:15 AM - 11:15 AMSpots available47
10:15 AM

Phishing & Cybersecurity
With ransomware attacks attacking local governments more than any other industry—even more than schools or healthcare organizations—a perfect storm exists as local governments are also often the least-equipped to handle a cyberattack. Many local governments do not even have the “basic basics” in place such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), endpoint detection and response (EDR), and data backup. We will answer the question, “Where do I begin with cybersecurity?” and present a checklist that distills tips, best practices, and recommendations that organizations can use to score themselves, find cybersecurity gaps, and create an action plan.
Time10:15 AM - 11:15 AMSpots available44
10:15 AM

Workforce Development
Local governments are facing a number of challenges in fielding a qualified, empowered, and stable workforce. In this session, Georgia Cities Solutions will discuss how cities can review current workforce challenges, develop a plan of action to meet those challenges, and a job recruitment strategy to address those needs.
Time10:15 AM - 11:15 AMSpots available49
10:15 AM

Grant Resources
Congress has approved historic levels of funding for infrastructure for the next four years. These funds can be the key to making transformational change in communities across Georgia, but small cities often have limited capacity to apply for and manage federal grants. GMA wants every city, regardless of population size or staffing levels, to have the information they need to compete for grant funds to complete important projects. Participants will learn about GMA’s one-stop shop for information about state and federal grant funding opportunities for a variety of projects; tips on how to get ready to apply for grants; where to find technical assistance for grant writing; and best practices recommended by peer cities and agency experts for success when applying for grant funds.
Time11:20 AM - 12:20 PMSpots available42
11:20 AM

Phishing & Cybersecurity
With ransomware attacks attacking local governments more than any other industry—even more than schools or healthcare organizations—a perfect storm exists as local governments are also often the least-equipped to handle a cyberattack. Many local governments do not even have the “basic basics” in place such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), endpoint detection and response (EDR), and data backup. We will answer the question, “Where do I begin with cybersecurity?” and present a checklist that distills tips, best practices, and recommendations that organizations can use to score themselves, find cybersecurity gaps, and create an action plan.
Time11:20 AM - 12:20 PMSpots available48
11:20 AM

Workforce Development
Local governments are facing a number of challenges in fielding a qualified, empowered, and stable workforce. In this session, Georgia Cities Solutions will discuss how cities can review current workforce challenges, develop a plan of action to meet those challenges, and a job recruitment strategy to address those needs.
Time11:20 AM - 12:20 PMSpots available50
11:20 AM

Broadband & Digital Connectivity
The realities of the digital divide come down to availability, affordability, and adoption. Connecting more communities with fast, reliable internet is a great equalizer for communities and residents and is a priority for the state of Georgia. This presentation will explain how the state of Georgia promotes collaboration between state agencies, local governments, industry representatives, community organizations, and others to create a common vision and deploy generational public funding opportunities.
Time2:00 PM - 3:00 PMSpots available44
2:00 PM

Crisis Coordinator Training & Resources
Crisis is defined by a loss of control. Public entities are experiencing an increase in crisis events. We will share resources and tools available to you to restore control and mitigate/prevent impacts when facing crisis events involving your people, residents, brand and reputation.
Time2:00 PM - 3:00 PMSpots available48
2:00 PM

Regional Commission Resources
Each city in Georgia is served by a professionally staffed Regional Commission that can assist with planning, grant writing and administration, project development, economic development, GIS and many other services.  Attendees to this session will hear about these services and how their regional commission can assist them with critical needs.
Time2:00 PM - 3:00 PMSpots available47
2:00 PM

Broadband & Digital Connectivity
The realities of the digital divide come down to availability, affordability, and adoption. Connecting more communities with fast, reliable internet is a great equalizer for communities and residents and is a priority for the state of Georgia. This presentation will explain how the state of Georgia promotes collaboration between state agencies, local governments, industry representatives, community organizations, and others to create a common vision and deploy generational public funding opportunities.
Time3:15 PM - 4:15 PMSpots available49
3:15 PM

Crisis Coordinator Training & Resources
Crisis is defined by a loss of control. Public entities are experiencing an increase in crisis events. We will share resources and tools available to you to restore control and mitigate/prevent impacts when facing crisis events involving your people, residents, brand and reputation.
Time3:15 PM - 4:15 PMSpots available43
3:15 PM

Regional Commission Resources
Each city in Georgia is served by a professionally staffed Regional Commission that can assist with planning, grant writing and administration, project development, economic development, GIS and many other services.  Attendees to this session will hear about these services and how their regional commission can assist them with critical needs.
Time3:15 PM - 4:15 PMSpots available47
3:15 PM

Friday, 18 August 2023
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ARPA updates w/ Roundtable discussion
Federal COVID relief funds have helped communities throughout the state make investments in government services and provide relief to families and businesses. This session provides the latest information on how cities can spend these funds and reminders about federal reporting and auditing requirements. Attendees will also hear directly from local officials representing small Georgia cities about how they have used ARPA funds to improve the lives of their residents and shore up government services impacted by the pandemic.
Time9:00 AM - 10:00 AMSpots available45
9:00 AM

Downtown Revitalization
Downtowns are the symbolic centers and public faces of cities.  Many small cities have vacant and abandoned buildings in their downtown area & struggle to revitalize them.  This session will showcase small towns with big ideas and will show cities how to bring their downtowns back to life.
Time9:00 AM - 10:00 AMSpots available49
9:00 AM

Georgia Rural Water-Service Line Updates
Service Line Inventories (SLIs) are the foundation from which water systems take action to address a significant source of Lead in drinking water—Lead Service Lines (LSLs). In accordance with the 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (CRR), all Community Water Systems (CWSs) and Non-Transient Non-Community Water Systems (NTNCWSs) must develop and submit an inventory of all service lines, including both water system owned portions and customer owned portions. Water systems must submit their Initial Service Line Inventories to GA EPD by OCTOBER 16, 2024!! This session will provide cities with information on how to prepare for this new requirement.
Time9:00 AM - 10:00 AMSpots available45
9:00 AM

Budget & Finance
This session will cover reporting compliance and possible consequences of non-compliance. A review of the state law on budgeting and best practices in budget preparation will also be covered in this session.
Time10:15 AM - 11:15 AMSpots available50
10:15 AM

First Amendments Audit Training
Georgia’s Open Records Act and Open Meetings Act, known as our Sunshine Laws, are foundational to how citizens stay informed about and interact with their government. This free training session will provide open government “do’s” and “don’ts” for elected officials, government staff and law enforcement officers.  Training will cover these questions and more: What records are available to the public? Which meetings are open to the public? What are penalties for not complying with state Sunshine Laws?
Time10:15 AM - 11:15 AMSpots available40
10:15 AM

Georgia Rural Water-Service Line Updates
Service Line Inventories (SLIs) are the foundation from which water systems take action to address a significant source of Lead in drinking water—Lead Service Lines (LSLs). In accordance with the 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (CRR), all Community Water Systems (CWSs) and Non-Transient Non-Community Water Systems (NTNCWSs) must develop and submit an inventory of all service lines, including both water system owned portions and customer owned portions. Water systems must submit their Initial Service Line Inventories to GA EPD by OCTOBER 16, 2024!! This session will provide cities with information on how to prepare for this new requirement.
Time10:15 AM - 11:15 AM