Gov. Kay Ivey on Friday signed an Alabama League of Municipalities’, ALM, sponsored proclamation declaring May 10-16, 2026 as Municipal Government Week in the state of Alabama. Ivey’s press release stated the goal of this week is to remind Alabamians of “the important role local government plays in providing essential quality-of-life services.”
“The public depends upon municipal government for the necessities of living. Public safety, schools, good roads, dependable water, sewer and trash services, and the list goes on,” the governor said. “I encourage all Alabamians to be involved in their local government because it is the foundation of our quality of life.”
There are currently 466 incorporated municipalities in the state. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over 60 percent of Alabamians live in municipalities, with many more working in them. Municipal government provides services such as police and fire protection, street maintenance, water and sewer infrastructure, parks and recreation, and garbage collection, all while also providing numerous educational, recreational and economic development opportunities.
“In honor of Municipal Government Week, we are rolling out a new set of videos and graphics for our Live Locally Alabama campaign to showcase the costs related to public safety; water, sewer and road infrastructure; and parks and recreation, which all typically account for the majority of a municipality’s expenses outside of payroll,” ALM Executive Director Greg Cochran said. “We want to remind citizens how much it costs to provide these quality-of-life services and encourage them to collaborate with municipal leaders to help build strong communities where people want to live, work, play, shop, invest and raise families.”
Citizens can show their support of their hometowns during Municipal Government Week and throughout the year by being engaged with the Live Locally Alabama campaign. The goal of this initiative is to encourage civic engagement, instill community pride and highlight the crucial role municipal government plays in daily lives. Learn more at: almonline.org/LiveLocallyAlabama.
“I would like to thank Gov. Ivey for recognizing the value that local governments bring to the overall quality of life of Alabama. The citizens of our great state rely on local leadership for the essential utility, aid and support that cultivate a thriving environment to live and conduct business across Alabama,” ALM President Rusty Jessup, mayor of Riverside, said. “Our cities and towns serve as the foundational catalyst for shaping the vision and driving the future. We hope Municipal Government Week shows our municipal workers how much we appreciate them for their hard work and educates our residents on what we do to support them.”
ALM was established on May 15, 1935, and is celebrating 91 years of service as the voice for municipal government. Its membership is comprised of over 450 cities and towns. The organization said it supports various sized local governments through legislative advocacy, legal assistance and training for elected officials.
View the Municipal Government Week Proclamation here.
