Michigan Municipal League November/December 2023 Review Magazine

Membership

Inquiry Service The Michigan Municipal League works hard to stay informed on local government issues so that we may provide quality assistance and resources to our members. We supply critical information on core topics, helping to steer our member municipalities through the complexities of local governance. To do this, we have built an extensive library of sample ordinances, policies, contracts, employee handbooks, and fact sheets on key municipal topics. Any staff member, elected official, or appointed official in a member municipality may contact the League for information. As one of the League’s original services, the Inquiry Service has been used by 100 percent of our members. The most frequently asked questions relate to parliamentary procedure; requests for sample policies and ordinances; charter information; the Open Meetings Act (OMA); and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). In addition, we provide custom research on a vast array of other municipal topics upon request. Publications The following League local government primers have been created for member use and are part of our steadily growing and routinely revised materials library: These handbooks are essential reading material for both new and veteran elected and appointed officials. Topics covered include basics of public service, the structure and function of local government in Michigan, roles and responsibilities of officials, writing ordinances, running a meeting, financial operations, personnel and human resources issues, labor relations issues, and risk management. The numerous appendices also cover: the 1998 revisions to the General Law Village Act, a summary of other laws that affect municipal government, municipal Q&As, a sample budget ordinance, sample council rules, and summaries of the OMA and FOIA. Both handbooks have gone through comprehensive updates and are available on our website. LEAGUE MATERIALS AND RESOURCES –By Margaret Mooney Handbook for Municipal Officials and Handbook for General Law Village Officials

Fact Sheets Fact sheets are one-page summaries of common local government topics. Over the years, the League has created a catalog of fact sheets on a wide range of topics. Among these, we have the following specifically for General Law Village (GLV) communities: • Annexation • Default • Procedural Questions • Residency for Elected Officials • Sale of Real Property These and all other League fact sheets are available on our website.

38 |

| November/December 2023