"Local Government Public Officers"
Length: 1.5 hours
This course provides an overview of the fundamental powers and duties of local government public officers, who play a crucial part in local government operations in towns, villages, cities and counties throughout New Your State. Public officers are persons who are elected or appointed to serve in local offices. Elected public officers include mayors and members of municipal governing boards. Appointed public officers include department heads, enforcement officials, and members of other boards such as planning boards and zoning boards of appeals. This course will review the basic requirements and guidelines for public officers to carry out their duties in local government, including basic qualifications, oath of office, official undertaking, vacancy in public office, holdover status, and defense and indemnification.
NOTE: Online courses are not available for in-service credit for code enforcement officers, continuing legal education credit for attorneys, or certification maintenance credit for members of the American Institute of Certified Planners. Some courses will produce a certificate at the end, and others will only produce your quiz results. The quiz results page should be used as proof of your training.
Resources Provided by the Department of State:
Online Glossary of General Terms for Local Governments
Glossary of Terms Specific to Public Officers and the Content of This Course
“Conducting Public Meetings and Public Hearings”
Published in cooperation with the Tug Hill Commission, this guide provides a review of the procedures for holding public meetings and hearings, including a summary of Open Meetings Law and tips for making meetings and hearings run smoothly.New York Committee on Open Government
A unit of the New York Department of State that oversees and advises the government, public, and news media on Freedom of Information, Open Meetings, and Personal Privacy Protection Laws. The Committee offers guidance in response to phone inquiries, prepares written legal advisory opinions, and provides training to government and other interested groups. Recommendations to improve open government laws are offered in an annual report to Governor and the State Legislature.
Links to Other New York State Resources:
General Municipal Law Article 18
Article 18 of the General Municipal Law is the principal State statute governing conflicts of interest on the part of municipal officers and employees.New York Office of the State Comptroller Ethics Publications and Model Code of Ethics