Fact Sheets

Fact Sheets offer condensed information on a variety of common municipal topics. To assist with practical application, many of them contain sample policies, forms, or ordinances. We have over 80 titles on topics including the Open Meetings Act (OMA), the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), ethics, and budgeting. We also have several that pertain specifically to general law villages (GLVs).

Charters

Charter Amendment: HRC Initiatory Petition
Charter Amendment: HRC Legislative Body Resolution
Charter Revision: Step by Step

Commercial Redevelopment Act – updated 2024

Commercial Rehabilitation Act – updated 2024

Complete Streets

County Tax Reimbursement to Local Units – Rafaeli Case – Updated March 2021

Default – General Law Village Officials

Economic Development – updated 2024

Economic Development Tools: Corridor Improvement Authority
Economic Development Tools: Downtown Development Authority
Economic Development Tools: Financing Tools
Economic Development Tools: Local Development Financing Authority
Economic Development Tools: Neighborhood Improvement Authority
Economic Development Tools: Waterfront Tax Increment Financing

Embezzlement – Preventing Fraud

Ethics

Ethics: Contracts of Public Servants with Public Entities
Ethics: Incompatible Public Offices
Ethics: Misconduct in Office by Public Officers
Ethics: Standards of Conduct for Public Officers/Employees

E-mail and Retention of Records

Fireworks

First Amendment Audits – NEW!

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Freedom of Information Act: 2014 Changes (Related: FOIA packet)
Freedom of Information Act: General Questions
Freedom of Information Act: Policy and Definitions
Freedom of Information Act: Responding to Emily FOIA – updated 2024
Freedom of Information Act: Statutory Exemptions

Fuel Excise Tax Refunds

General Law Village

General Law Village: Annexation
General Law Village: Procedural Questions
General Law Village: Residency for Elected Officials
General Law Village: Sale of Real Property

Golf Carts and ORVs/ATVs on Local Streets

Gun Regulation—Local Government

Headlee Rollback and Headlee Override – updated 2025

Holiday Displays/Nativity Scenes – New!

Incorporation from a Village to a City – updated 2024

Investment Policies for Surplus Funds

Liquor Licenses for Redevelopment – New!

Master Plan—Mastering the Updating Process

Master Plan—Five-Year Review

Marihuana

Metro Act and DAS/Small Cells in our Rights of Way

METRO Act – Metropolitan Extension Telecommunication Rights-of-Way Oversight (Related: Distribution of Telecomm Fees under PA 48 of 2002)

MISS DIG Underground Facility Damage & Prevention Safety Act (PA173 of 2013)

Mobile Home Rental Housing Inspections

Municipal Civil Infractions

Municipal Expenditures (Related: Determining Lawful Expenditures & Municipal Finance)

Municipal Liens – updated 2024

Open Meetings Act

Open Meetings Act: Calling Closed Meetings
Open Meetings Act: Closed-Meeting Minutes
Open Meetings Act: Definitions and Requirements
Open Meetings Act: Email Quorum Violation – updated 2024
Open Meetings Act: Posting Requirements

Court of Appeals Opinion
Markel v Mackley (November 1, 2016)
The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that email deliberations among a quorum of public body members violates the Open Meetings Act.

Other Post Employment Benefit (OPEB) Obligations

PA 33 Police and Fire Protection Act—2022 Changes

PA 152—Caps on Medical Benefit Contributions – updated 2024

PA 312—Compulsory Arbitration of Labor Disputes in Police and Fire Departments

Planning Commission – Residency Requirements

Police Employment Separation Records – New!

Public Hearings

Records Retention—Local Government Public Records

Rental Housing Inspection Law – updated 2019

Residency Act (Act 212 of 1999)

Sign Regulations (Reed v Town of Gilbert)

Social Districts – New!