Resources & Research

Newly Elected Officials Resources

On this page, you’ll find a wide variety of resources to help you in your new position, from handbooks and fact sheets to videos, listservs and links to other sites with valuable information.

Publications

Organization of City and Village Government in Michigan

Handbook for Municipal Officials – Home Rule Villages, Home Rule Cities

General Law Village Handbook – General Law Villages

Meetings: Agendas & Minutes

Fact Sheets
A collection of one page documents on an array of different topics. A few that will be the most useful following your election are:
1. Open Meetings Act
2. Freedom of Information Act: 2014 Changes (Related: FOIA packet)
3. Adopting the Budget
4. Contracts of Public Servants with Public Entities

Sample Council Orientation Materials

HRC = Home Rule City / HRV = Home Rule Village / GLV = General Law Village

Alpena (HRC)
Berrien Springs (GLV)
Ionia (HRC)
Lake Isabella (HRV)
Manistee (HRC)
Sandusky (HRC)
Schoolcraft (GLV)
Sturgis (HRC)
Elected Officials Orientation (The Review magazine, Jan/Feb 2024)
Understanding the Roles and Responsibilities of the Elected Official article (The Review, Jan/Feb 2016)

Other Resources

Local Government 101
This streaming video provides a general outline of the structure and functionality of local government.

The Leading Edge Email Newsletter

Links

Elections Bureau

Michigan Association of Mayors

Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks

Michigan Municipal Treasurers Association

Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys

Michigan Government Finance Officers Association

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