The Florida League of Cities (FLC) is recognizing 309 elected municipal officials as recipients of the 2025-2026 Certificate Program for Elected Municipal Officials. Now in its fourth year, the annual program celebrates city leaders who invest time in training, continuing education, and professional development while serving their communities.

This year’s class includes 101 Bronze Certificate of Merit recipients, 69 Silver Certificate of Leadership recipients, and 139 Gold Certificate of Excellence recipients. The growing roster reflects elected officials from municipalities of all sizes and regions of Florida, united by a commitment to strengthening their knowledge and bringing practical ideas back to the residents they serve.

Municipal service requires leaders to respond to changing laws, emerging issues, and new community needs. The certificate program gives officials a structured way to build their knowledge through FLC’s in-person and virtual educational opportunities. Participants earn points for activities in which many are already engaged, including FLC webinars, the Institute for Elected Municipal Officials (IEMO), IEMO II, the FLC Leadership class, state-mandated ethics training, Annual Conference, Legislative Conference, Legislative Action Days, Online Orientation, and the Online Advocacy Course.

Points are accumulated from July to July, and FLC tracks each participant’s progress through event registrations in its membership database. Officials can enroll at no cost, and participants receive a point update halfway through the program year. Once registered, eligible participants are automatically enrolled in the next program year, making it easier to continue working toward a certificate or renew an achievement.

The program recognizes three levels of achievement:

• Bronze Certificate of Merit: Level One, earned with 10 points
• Silver Certificate of Leadership: Level Two, earned with 20 points
• Gold Certificate of Excellence: Level Three, earned with 30 points

Officials who have completed IEMO and IEMO II and earned a Gold Certificate may retain the Gold level in subsequent years by earning 15 points. This renewal option recognizes sustained participation and encourages officials to keep learning throughout their public service.

The program is about more than accumulating points. Each training opportunity creates space for municipal leaders to explore timely issues, learn from subject-matter experts, and exchange ideas with peers from across Florida. Those connections can help officials approach local challenges with new context, proven practices, and a stronger statewide network.

Recipients are recognized by Quality Cities magazine and at the FLC Annual Conference. They also receive a press release that can be shared with local media and residents, helping communities celebrate their officials’ commitment to effective, informed leadership.

FLC congratulates all 2025-2026 Bronze, Silver, and Gold certificate recipients for their dedication to learning and to the cities, towns, and villages they serve. Their achievement reflects the time and care they continue to invest in strong municipal leadership across Florida.

Elected municipal officials who are not yet participating can sign up for the program and begin earning points toward next year’s certificate. Visit flcities.com/certificate to review program details, explore eligible activities, and enroll.