Government

Through education of newly elected and veteran elected officials, Michigan State University Extension helps ground Michigan’s 1,858 local governments (townships, villages, cities and counties), and 12 federally recognized tribal nations with strong, evidence-based  information that helps in sound governance and management. MSU Extension has educators with expertise on economics, fiscal management, boardsmanship, parliamentary procedure, open meetings act, public policy and more.  By working together with local elected and appointed officials, MSU Extension is able to provide education on critical local government operations.  

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• Sample Wildfire Hazard Zoning helps communities protect against property and life loss

  May 15, 2013 | Brad Neumann | Wildfires are common in Michigan, and individuals and local governments both play roles in addressing wildfire mitigation and protection to make communities safer.

• Tax revenue declines anticipated for Inkster in 2013-14 fiscal year

  May 5, 2013 | Richard Wooten | Inkster is anticipating a further decline in property tax revenue for the 2013-14 fiscal year. The city had already been dealing with persistent deficits and has been operating under a consent agreement with the state.

• Becoming engaged at any age

  May 5, 2013 | Bethany Prykucki | A public policy intern explains why he loves public service and how 4-H Capitol Experience helped him discover his passion.

• New Open Meetings Act notice requirements

  April 17, 2013 | Kurt H. Schindler | Michigan’s Open Meetings Act meeting notice requirements have changed. Notices now must be on government websites, emergency meeting notice requirements have also changed.

• Zoning moratoriums should only be done with caution

  April 17, 2013 | Kurt H. Schindler | Local governments might adopt a moratorium to prevent development until after rules are established. This can be perilous and some may question if moratoriums are legal. Do so with caution and make sure the municipal attorney is directly involved.

• Parliamentary procedure: What is a motion to rescind?

  April 16, 2013 | Julie Pioch | Board members sometimes realize the need to change their mind regarding an issue before them. One method of revisiting a past decision is the motion to rescind.

• Parliamentary procedure: What is a motion to reconsider?

  April 16, 2013 | Julie Pioch | Board members sometimes feel the need to change their mind regarding an issue before them. One method of revisiting a past decision is the motion to reconsider.

• Parliamentary procedure: How do you handle a motion?

  April 16, 2013 | Julie Pioch | A good first step to ensure effective meetings is to know how to properly handle a motion.

• Parliamentary procedure: What is a parliamentary authority?

  April 16, 2013 | Julie Pioch | Using Robert’s Rules of Order to help build an official parliamentary authority allows groups to run effective meetings and members to feel like a valuable part of the process.

• New rural water quality protection guidebook prepared by Michigan State University

  April 13, 2013 | Brad Neumann | New guidebook is a “must have” that details best management practices that lower the impact of land use activities on water bodies and provides sample language for community master plans and zoning ordinances.

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