MSU Extension Public Policy

• Local Government Codes of Conduct: Q&A

  Published on March 2, 2021
  Participant questions and answers from the webinar Codes of Conduct: Going Beyond the Minimum

• Local Government Codes of Conduct: Going Beyond the Minimum

  Published on March 2, 2021
  Codes of Conduct are useful tools for government boards. They clarify a person's role and expectations for member conduct. This webinar uses the planning commission as an example of how a code of conduct can be valuable and how other bodies can use them.

• 

  Incompatible Offices in Planning and Zoning

  Published on February 17, 2021
  This table is a working draft of incompatible offices with respect to the planning and zoning function of local government. It is based on statutes, Michigan Attorney General opinions, and court decisions, and may be incomplete.

• Sample Zoning for Wind Energy Systems 2020

  Published on October 11, 2020
  This flyer presents a sample zoning ordinance for utility scale wind energy systems and smaller wind electric generation systems for an individual business or home.

• Local Government Response COVID-19 Panel

  Published on June 18, 2020
  Highlights from a panel of local government leaders reflecting on the first three months of COVID-19 and how their unit of government responded.

• 

  Pennsylvania Offers A Curious Case To Explore Alternatives To Early Warning Systems And State Intervention: Can Michigan Keep Its Horses From Wandering Off?

  Published on May 5, 2020
  The purpose of this report is to apply the Early Warning System (EWS) used by Pennsylvania with Michigan local government financial and socioeconomic data, as a way to assess potential fiscal distress that cities, townships, and counties may experience.

• Sample Online Meeting for Local Government (Video)

  Published on April 13, 2020
  A quick example of one option for conducting a local government meeting online, including directions for elected officials, public comment, and keeping your meeting secure.

• Virtual Meeting Prep: Agendas, Public Notice, and Tips for Success (Video)

  Published on April 13, 2020
  Tips for what to include in your online meeting agenda, public notice, and best practices for making your local government online meeting a success.

• How To Set Up Secure Zoom Meetings for Local Governments (Video)

  Published on April 13, 2020
  A brief overview of how to set up a Zoom meeting in order to conduct local government meetings online, and how to use security features to make your Zoom meeting secure.

• 

  A closer look at legacy costs and local actions in Michigan in the wake of PA 202

  Published on January 1, 2020
  Legacy costs have imposed challenges on local governments in Michigan. The lack of funding for retirement benefits, including pension and other postemployment benefits (OPEB) such as healthcare, affects the wellbeing of public employees.