Meetings & Events

7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.—Check-in and Exhibition Hall Open

7:30 a.m.-8:45 a.m.—Breakfast, Exhibition Hall

8:15 a.m.-8:45 a.m.—Voluntary Prayer Session

8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.—Arkansas City Attorneys Association CLE, Drew Room

9 a.m.-10:15 a.m.—General Session 2: The Future of Economic Development for Arkansas Municipalities, Governor’s Hall IV
Economic development is where cities and towns rise or fall based on preparation. With Issue 3 on the November ballot, this session gives leaders a forward-looking framework for growth. From vision to bond counsel, this session will offer practical steps for strengthening local economies. Executive Committee members with hands-on development experience will share real-world insights to help municipalities stay rooted in good planning, resilient amid shifting economic winds and rising toward long-term prosperity.

10:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m.—Groundwork CHATS Housing Challenges Across Arkansas
CHATS is a simple, guided model from Groundwork that helps municipal leaders talk openly about housing challenges and work toward realistic, community-driven solutions. This session offers practical tools to start clearer and more productive housing conversations in your municipality, with a focus on how housing issues show up differently across cities and towns and what local tools can help address them. You’ll leave with easy-to-use language, fresh ideas and connections with other leaders.

10:30 a.m.-11:55 a.m.—General Session 3: Mandatory Treasurer Training Modules 1, 2 & 5 Governor’s Hall IV
Gain a strong foundation in this session covering municipal finance core concepts, budgets and internal controls. Learn about key laws, responsibilities, and the basic accounting principles that guide public sector decision-making.

12 p.m.-1:30 p.m.—Lunch, Exhibition Hall

1 p.m.-5 p.m.—Mandatory Treasurer Training, Caraway Room

1 p.m.-2:20 p.m.—Mandatory Treasurer Training Module 4: Revenue
Explore how municipalities collect, manage and safeguard their revenue. Examine major revenue sources and learn the proper procedures for securely handling, recording and reconciling cash, card transactions, and bank activity.

2:30 p.m.-3:45 p.m.—Mandatory Treasurer Training Modules 6 & 7: Fixed Assets & Payroll
Get a clear overview of fixed asset requirements and municipal payroll in this combined session. Learn key terms, statutory obligations and recommended policies and how to maintain complete, accurate asset listings including those tied to grant funds. The session also covers core payroll processes, compliance needs, internal controls and common challenges unique to public-sector payroll.

3:55 p.m.-5 p.m.—Mandatory Treasurer Training Modules 8 & 9: Audits & Ethics
Explore the essentials of annual audits and the ethical standards that guide municipal finance in this combined session. Learn the audit process, key roles and timelines, how to interpret findings, and best practices that help prevent common issues.

1:30 p.m.-2:20 p.m./3:10 p.m.—Breakout Sessions (Certification Credit Options Available)

Continuing the Conversation with Jason Curry
Resilience isn’t built in the keynote—it’s built in the follow through. In this breakout, Jason Curry expands on the principles of Finish Empty, helping leaders turn inspiration into daily habits that improve team performance and strengthen municipal culture. This session is designed for anyone ready to bring clarity, focus and renewed purpose back to their departments. It’s the next step in rising to the challenges—and opportunities—that define modern public service.

The Caran Curry Variety Hour: A Rapid-Fire Update on Municipal Must Know Topics
Municipal leaders must keep pace with a variety of fast-moving issues and Caran Curry’s rapid-fire session will cover everything from water district consolidation to cybersecurity grants to AI and website ADA requirements with clear explanations and practical takeaways that help leaders stay ahead of emerging challenges. This session strengthens municipal resilience by giving leaders the information they need—quickly, clearly and all in one place.

Follow the Money: Tracking Where Your Municipality’s Revenue Really Goes
Financial resilience requires understanding where every dollar goes, particularly sales tax dollars. The Department of Finance and Administration retains a 3% administrative fee from city sales tax—over $32 million annually and growing—and this session will examine how that money is used by the state and what options municipalities have to keep more of their revenue local. It will also address the millions spent on sales tax rebates intended to spur economic development, the limited information municipalities receive about those rebates, and why understanding where every penny goes is essential to effective leadership. Participants will gain a clear, grounded understanding of how these financial pressures impact municipal budgets and what reforms could help Arkansas cities and towns rise to a stronger fiscal future.

Safe, Strong and Cost Effective: Smart Steps to Help Cities Protect People and Budgets
This session cuts straight to the bottom line: a smart safety program and a solid grasp of workers comp costs can save your city real money spotlighting the most effective safety training tools available today, showing how online training can speed employees back to work and revealing how fewer claims drive safer workplaces and lower premiums. Packed with practical steps your team can use immediately, this breakout helps cities strengthen safety, control rising costs and protect both their people and their budgets.

3 p.m.-3:50 p.m.—Resolutions Committee, Fulton Room
Each municipality has a designated representative who votes on legislative matters to be included in the League’s Policies and Goals for the coming year.

4 p.m.-5 p.m.—General Session 4: Trash Talk, Legal Edition: Supreme Court Impacts on Municipal Waste, Governor’s Hall IV
Reliable and affordable solid waste service is one of the most important duties municipalities offer to their citizens. A properly managed system protects public health, safety, and welfare at an affordable rate. Late last year, the Supreme Court changed the solid waste landscape for municipalities. Whether your municipality operates its own solid waste utility or whether it contracts with another entity, the recent Supreme Court decision is important to know and understand. In this session, panelists will explore the legal and practical implications of the Supreme Court’s decision and discuss what options now exist for cities and towns.