OKEECHOBEE – The City of Okeechobee  announced,on Sept. 9, that Mayor Dowling Watord recently received the Bronze Certificate of Merit from the Certificate Program for Elected Municipal Officials hosted by the Florida League of Cities (FLC).

The certificate achievement program rewards municipal officials for their commitment and dedication to training and continuing education. The program offers three certificate levels:

• Level One: Bronze Certificate of Merit,
• Level Two: Silver Certificate of Leadership,
• Level Three: Gold Certificate of Excellence.

“The Florida League of Cities continues to offer outstanding educational opportunities for municipal leaders at every stage of their public service,” said Michael C. Blake, 2024-2025 FLC President and Mayor for the City of Cocoa. “By participating in the FLC’s training opportunities, elected leaders are strengthening their knowledge, growing professionally, and ensuring they are prepared to meet the needs of their communities with confidence and integrity.”

Watford completed the certificate program between July 2024 and July 2025. Officials earned points for participating in training events offered by FLC, including monthly webinars, online orientation, the Institute for Elected Municipal Officials (IEMO I and II), the State-Mandated Continuing Education in Ethics, and the League’s Annual Conference and legislative events.

"Receiving this certificate is an honor, but more importantly, it reflects my commitment to gaining the knowledge and tools needed to better serve the people of Okeechobee. Strong leadership begins with continuous learning, and I am proud to bring these skills back to our community."

Certificate recipients at all levels will be featured in the League’s online magazine (qualitycities.com) and at the FLC Annual Conference.

For more information on the Certificate Program for Elected Municipal Officials, visit flcities.com/certificate.