A village's water grant score can hinge on whether the clerk took a class

In rural Alaska, a community's shot at water and sewer money can hinge on something unexpected: whether the clerk went to class.

The state scores grant applications partly on management capacity — the logic being that a treatment plant is only as durable as the office running it. Best-practice points earned through training count for 40% of Capital Improvement Program project scoring and 15% for Sanitary Deficiency System projects, so a clerk's classroom hours translate directly into how a village's project ranks for state and federal dollars.

The next chance is Clerk Management for Rural Utilities, a free online course from the state's Rural Utility Business Advisor program, running Aug. 3–11, weekdays 1–4 p.m. It covers records, elections, finances, meetings and ordinances, and is built for city, tribal and utility clerks, treasurers, bookkeepers and managers; water and wastewater operators can earn 3.2 continuing education units.

Sign-up closes at 2:30 p.m. Friday, July 31, through the program's online registration form, with questions to Brendan Smyth at 907-451-2744. Zoom, a camera and a headset required.