Center for Local Government Technology (CLGT)

The Center for Local Government Technology (CLGT) provides a variety of products and services to Oklahoma's counties, small cities, and towns. CLGT is committed to "promoting quality and productivity in the delivery of services by Oklahoma's cities and counties through programs of education, training, and technical assistance."

CLGT is the major educational resource for Oklahoma's elected county officers and their deputies. Programs involve legislated and voluntary certification and training for County Commissioners, Assessors, Clerks, Treasurers, Sheriffs, Court Clerks, Equalization Boards, and Purchasing Agents. These programs have resulted in a significant financial savings for the counties as well as an increase in the quality and professionalism of county government.

Training programs are delivered through workshops, seminars, regional and national technical conferences, satellite teleconferencing, professional development, manuals, and course books. A tremendous amount of technical assistance is provided to counties, small cities, and towns in broad areas ranging from road maintenance to economic trends reports.

The Center for Local Government Technology also provides technical assistance through publications, demonstrations, and on-site assistance. Some ongoing major programs of CLGT include the Local Technical Assistance program (LTAP), Rural Transportation Assistance program (RTAP), and the County Training Program. LTAP is funded jointly by the Federal Highway Administration and the State of Oklahoma; the program provides training and technical assistance for rural and urban transportation systems. CLGT serves as the executive office of the Oklahoma Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA) and conducts an annual APWA school and conference. National conferences utilizing satellite TV transmission are conducted jointly with the national APWA organization. Downlinks are distributed nationwide to all participating state chapters.

The County Training Program is mandated by state law and funded by the State of Oklahoma. CLGT and the Cooperative Extension Service provide training and technical assistance for the elected officials and deputies of the offices of County Assessor, County Clerk, County Commissioner, County Court Clerk, County Sheriff, and County Treasurer. Certification programs are offered for the elected officials and deputies in the offices of County Clerk, County Commissioner, and County Treasurer. In addition, CLGT provides technical assistance in microcomputer applications in county offices. Currently, 73 counties use CLGT software. CLGT works with the Equipment Maintenance Council to conduct an annual conference on equipment maintenance. A national fleet manager's certification program is sponsored by the national organization of the Equipment Maintenance Council with technical programs provided by CLGT. The Center for Local Government Technology also conducts the national Road and Street Maintenance Conference for public employees and contractors each year.

Technical Assistance for Oklahoma's Rural Public Transportation Systems

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) administers the budgets, funding, and activities of 16 rural public transportation projects in Oklahoma. Computer programs have been developed during previous years to facilitate record-keeping and data reporting. These programs are constantly being updated with changing reporting requirements and computer hardware/software capabilities. On-site training is provided due to changing software, computerization of new transit projects, and changing personnel. Formal training courses are provided to project staff members on subjects specified by ODOT.

Sponsor: Oklahoma Department of Transportation
PI: Dave Harnly

County Government Personnel Education and Training Program

The Center for Local Government Technology (CLGT) is the major educational resource for Oklahoma's county officers and deputies. Programs involve legislated and voluntary certification and training for County Assessors, Commissioners, Clerks, Treasurers, Sheriffs, Court Clerks, Equalization Boards, and Purchasing Agents. CLGT's original programs focused on individual training topics in areas most critical to Oklahoma's elected county officials. These programs have developed computer information systems. While many of these changes are mandated by the Oklahoma legislature, others are voluntarily imposed by the county officers. All are broadly supported by those receiving the training.

Sponsor: Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector
PIs: Mike Hughes
Raymond Campbell (College of Agriculture)

Educational Training for County Elected Officials and Their Employees

This program, conducted jointly with the Cooperative Extension Service, provides the primary source of training and technical assistance to County Officers and their deputies on a statewide basis.

Sponsor: Office of the State Auditor and Inspector
PIs: Mike Hughes and Jodie Paden
Raymond Campbell (College of Agriculture)

Federal Highway Administration Local Transportation/Technical Transfer Program

This program provides for a resource center to transfer technology on transportation-related matters to Native American Tribal Governments. The center provides a mailing list, newsletter, technical literature, workshops/conferences, and on-site assistance, and is part of a network of 57 other centers.

Sponsors: Federal Highway Administration and the Bureau of Indian Affairs
PI: Joseph Paden

Federal Highway Administration Local Transportation/Technical Transfer Program

This program provides for a resource center to transfer technology on transportation-related matters to units of local government. The center provides a mailing list, newsletter, technical literature, workshops/conferences, and on-site assistance, and is part of a network of 57 other centers.

Sponsors: Federal Highway Administration and Oklahoma Department of Transportation
PI: Joseph Paden