Local Government Fundamentals
- OnlineSeptember 30, 2026February 17, 2027
September 30, 2026 | 9am to 4pm | On-Line | Price: $225
Februrary 17, 2027 | Hours: TBA | Chapel Hill | Price: TBA
This course is also available for on-demand purchase.
Are you new to working in local government? Have you transitioned into a new position within local government? If so, this course may be right for you. Local Government Fundamentals covers the laws and concepts pertinent to county and municipal government. This course aims to help those who work in local government feel more confident in their understanding of how local governments function at a fundamental level.
The course includes six sessions that cover the following core, legal topics:
- Local Government Authority, Purpose, and Structure
- Local Government in Action: Ordinances, Resolutions, and Policies
- Open Meeting & Public Records
- Introduction to the Local Government Budget & Fiscal Control Act
- Local Government Contracting
- Ethics and Conflicts of Interest
This course is most appropriate for employees with 0-5 years of experience in local government and/or newly elected public officials.
AGENDA
The Fall 2026 Agenda will be posted soon. In the meantime, you may view the previous agenda from February 2026, for reference.
CERTIFICATION AND CONTINUING EDUCATION INFORMATION
No continuing education credits are available for this course.
REQUIREMENTS
Attendance: There are no specific attendance requirements for this program. If you cannot attend, please contact Registration & Client Services to cancel your registration. Our cancellation policy is linked below.
MATERIALS
All course materials and other logistical details are provided in Canvas, a learning management system. Please click the link below for detailed instructions on setting up your Canvas account. If you've already set up an account for this or another School of Government course, log in to Canvas. Click here for Canvas Instructions.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Course participants who cancel their registration more than 7 calendar days before the course start date will receive a full refund. Otherwise, participants will receive a transferrable credit to be used within 12 months. More information can be found in the full cancellation and refund policy.
Members of Civic Federal Credit Union (Civic) are eligible to apply for a scholarship towards registration fees for programs offered by the School of Government. There are four deadlines to submit applications:
- March 1: for programs starting between April 1 and June 30
- June 1: for programs starting between July 1 and September 30
- September 1: for programs starting between October 1 and December 31
- December 1: for programs starting between January 1 and March 31
- OnlineSeptember 30February 17View Scholarship Information
Members of Civic Federal Credit Union (Civic) are eligible to apply for a scholarship towards registration fees for programs offered by the School of Government. There are four deadlines to submit applications:- March 1: for programs starting between April 1 and June 30
- June 1: for programs starting between July 1 and September 30
- September 1: for programs starting between October 1 and December 31
- December 1: for programs starting between January 1 and March 31
View Cancellation PolicyCourse participants who cancel their registration on or before September 22, 2026 will receive a full refund. No refund will be made for cancellations on or after September 23, 2026, but you will receive a transferrable credit to be used within 12 months. Click here to view the School’s full cancellation and refund policy.$225.00Registration and payment for this course grants access for a single attendee. In order to register a group of attendees, please register each person individually. If you have questions, please contact our registration office at registration@sog.unc.edu or 919.966.4414.
All course materials and other logistical details are provided in Canvas, a learning management system. Please click the link below for detailed instructions on setting up your Canvas account. If you've already set up an account for this or another School of Government course, click HERE to log in to Canvas. Click HERE for Canvas Instructions.
Previous Agenda: February 2026 Agenda
