A look what training you need to be in a Utah district

When you decide to be a part of a board or special district, one of the commitments you make is to complete training in the rules and regulations of the state of Utah. This can be pretty extensive, but it’s a necessary step to properly govern your constituents.

As part of the services we provide, we have a training link on our website. It’s a great one-stop shop to learn about what may be needed for each district.

There are two particularly noteworthy pieces of training required under state law. Here’s a look at each of them.

Training on Open Meetings

This is a big one, as all public officials need yearly training for the Open Meetings Act. The presiding officer of the board or district also must ensure that this is taking place.

We’re able to help provide this training, and there is also a portal run by the state auditor that has the training you need to ensure that you are following all of the rules and requirements of open meetings.

The training includes a thorough reading of the Open and Public Meetings Act as well as an evaluation of how your district is complying. It also includes any changes to the act that have taken place over the past year. There were some key changes in this last legislative session, pointing out the reasoning behind getting this training annually.

Specific Local and Special Services Training

It’s required by law that members of district boards also go through a training sequence within the first year of their election or appointment. The UASD helped create this training along with the State Auditors Office.

The training includes more details on what’s expected for roles and responsibilities as part of a role in the special or local service district. Trainees learn more about what they are accountable for, and what their district may cover as far as governance.

The training also includes what is called “the Little Manual.” This is a document that goes into what is trained and is available for download through the State Auditors Office. It can be an easy reference point for any forthcoming business of the board or district as questions or concerns come up.

There are many more trainings that are not as mandatory but could make sense for your role on a district or board. You can access all the training for services the state provides at their link. You can also learn more about the training would be recommended by going to our training site.