Handbooks & Reports

Handbooks

Our handbooks offer basic information for local officials in governance and as policy makers. The League publishes its own primers (General Law Village Officials Handbook and Municipal Officials Handbook) and partners with affiliate organizations to publish others, such as the Civil Marriage Ceremony Handbook for Mayors (Michigan Association of Mayors) and the ethics and charter revision handbooks (Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys).

Michigan Municipal League

Download Handbook for General Law Village Officials

This newly revised handbook covers the structure and function of Michigan local government; roles and responsibilities of general law village officials; options for delivering village services; running meetings; village financial operations; personnel and human resources; labor relations; risk management; special assessments and user charges; and planning and zoning basics. Numerous appendices cover the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act; sample rules of procedure for general law village council meetings; a glossary; frequently asked questions; and five key sample ordinances.

Download Handbook for Municipal Officials

This newly revised handbook for cities and home rule villages covers the structure and function of Michigan local government; the roles and responsibilities of municipal officials; options for delivering services; annexation; home rule charters; running meetings; finance; personnel and human resources; labor relations; risk management; special assessments and user charges; and planning and zoning basics. Numerous appendices cover the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act; sample council rules of procedure; a glossary; frequently asked questions; and a sample budget ordinance.

Download Planning Commissioners Handbook

This book was written to help new planning commissioners become effective commissioners. The topics covered include tools for planning commissioners, preparing for meetings, meeting the public, how knowledge of the zoning ordinance and applying ordinance standards will help you make decisions that will stick and what the future holds for planning commissioners.

Download Zoning Board of Appeals Handbook

This handbook was written to help new zoning board of appeals members understand the scope of their role and responsibilities, and to provide them with a basis of understanding in order to capably perform their duties within the law. Topics covered include: the role of the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) as a whole and as individual members; an explanation of the zoning enabling acts; the ZBA’s relationship to other municipal bodies and individuals; how to identify and handle conflicts of interest; hot to interpret a zoning ordinance; types of variances; preparing for and conducting meetings; and guidelines for making tough decisions.

Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys (MAMA) / Michigan Municipal League

Download Handbook for Charter Revision Commissioners

This handbook is the product of a committee of MAMA, the League, and individuals who have been active in charter revision work—professors, charter consultants, experienced charter commissioners, municipal attorneys, and specialists from the Attorney General’s office. It contains the statutory framework for charters, various implementing procedures, and a checklist of what must appear in municipal charters. It is a useful general resource for those serving as elected charter commissioners or as appointed members of charter study groups.

Download Ethics Handbook

This handbook does not present a “model,” rather it discusses the concept of ethics as it applies to municipal government, highlights issues, then presents how several municipalities have addressed those issues. It is both a conceptual resource and a “how to” manual.

Michigan Association of Mayors (MAM)/Michigan Municipal League

Download Civil Marriage Ceremony Handbook for Mayors 

This handbook contains guiding information for mayors who wish to perform marriage ceremonies in their jurisdictions. It contains explanations of the laws and authority for mayors to perform marriages, a sample checklist, Q&As, and sample marriage ceremony vows.

State of Michigan/League

Download Records Management Handbook

Michigan law requires that all public records be listed on an approved Retention and Disposal Schedule that identifies the minimum amount of time that records must be kept to satisfy administrative, legal, fiscal, and historical needs. Records cannot be destroyed unless their disposition is authorized by an approved Retention and Disposal Schedule. All schedules are approved by the Records Management Services, the Archives of Michigan, and the State Administrative Board. Schedule #8 is an approved schedule and provides for the disposition of the usual records found in city and village offices.

University of Michigan Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program (STPP)/League

Download Artificial Intelligence Handbook for Local Government

As the closest form of government to the people, local authorities have the unique opportunity to address real issues that matter on the ground. Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers powerful tools that can improve government efficiency, expand government offerings, enhance community well-being, streamline public services, and make data-informed decisions to improve the quality of life for small and large municipalities. At the same time, local governments often lack the resources and guidance necessary to harness new technologies such as AI safely and effectively. STPP together with the League has published a handbook that fills that gap by providing concrete guidelines, best practices, sample applications, and risk assessment strategies that can help kickstart safe and effective AI adoption in local government.

Municipal Reports

Municipal Reports are detailed treatments of complex municipal topics such as charter revision, incorporation, and the structure of Michigan’s local governments. They often contain legal references and statutory procedures.

City Charter Revision (2024)

Impact of Changing from a Village to a City (2024)

Medical Marihuana Facilities – Opt In/Opt Out (2018)

Organization of City and Village Government in Michigan (2024)

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