Fiscally Ready Communities

MSU Extension and the Michigan Department of Treasury are providing a joint training on best practices for fiscal and operational planning for Michigan communities.

Fiscally Ready Communities

The Fiscally Ready Communities program was created to assist communities that want to establish, measure, and maintain policies to increase operational and financial effectiveness and safeguards. This partnership between MSU Extension and the Michigan Department of Treasury helps local governments work towards fiscal health by sharing best practices in fiscal sustainability.

The Fiscally Ready Communities program currently includes five training opportunities. Together, these trainings help local governments work towards long-term fiscal sustainability, helping them to support thriving communities. Click on the events header above for upcoming program dates.

From Fundamentals to Best Practices

This training provides best practices for local governments' fiscal health including budgeting, long-term planning, dealing with uncertainty, and financial policies and procedures.

Budgeting for Fiscal Sustainability

This program focuses on implementing financial best practices, measuring fiscal health, and local government financial management fundamentals. It will include material on reconciling a bank account, how to read and interpret governmental financial statements, audit prep umbrella, how to complete and file an F65 Report, remitting taxes timely, and how to craft an appropriate and effective audit finding Corrective Action Plan.

Capital Asset Management and Planning

This session will cover the basics of a Capital Improvement Program (CIP), best practices, and give participants a chance to share techniques that have worked for their community. Additionally, the training will assist both elected and appointed local officials in outlining your policies and procedures for capital asset management and planning. This will ensure that local government are being proactive, while discussing the inter-connectivity of many local government requirements.

Managing Internal Controls

A strong internal controls framework is an essential piece of a culture of fiscal sustainability. Internal controls play an important role in communication, decision-making processes, and trust-building in local government. This training includes a deep dive into internal controls. It will cover what internal controls are, why they're necessary, how they help your community, implementation, and where to start.

Nuts and Bolts: Fees, Fines, Purchasing, and Receipting

Building a culture of fiscal sustainability is essential to local government fiscal health. Well-thought-out policies on fees, fines, purchasing, and receipting lead to clear rules and fair treatment, which are essential pillars to that culture of fiscal sustainability. This webinar will include a deep dive into best practices related to fees, fines, purchasing, receipting, and more. It will cover what they are, why such policies are necessary, how they contribute to local fiscal health, and how to get started on implementation. 

Getting Grant Ready 

This training helps local governments align grant opportunities with community goals, assess capacity to manage grants, and develop proactive policies and procedures. Participants will learn best practices for identifying, applying for, and managing grants to strengthen fiscal sustainability and maximize funding impact.

Meet Our Team

Fiscal Management Events

  • Sep 10

    Local Government Budgeting in Uncertain Times

    September 10, 2025 11:30AM – 12:30PM Zoom

    A free webinar featuring a panel of local leaders and a discussion forum on strategies for navigating state budget uncertainty and keeping local budgets on track.

  • Sep 25

    Fiscally Ready Communities: Getting Grant Ready

    September 25, 2025 10:00AM – 11:30AM

    Join us for an engaging webinar designed to help local government officials navigate the full lifecycle of grants—from identifying the right opportunities to ensuring compliance and successful reporting.

  • Oct 20

    Fiscally Ready Communities: Getting Grant Ready - October 2025

    October 20, 2025 2:00PM – 3:30PM

    Join us for an engaging webinar designed to help local government officials navigate the full lifecycle of grants—from identifying the right opportunities to ensuring compliance and successful reporting.

  • Oct 28

    Local Government Leadership Intensive

    October 28, 2025 10:00AM – 4:00PM Kirtland Community College, 4800 W Four Mile Road, Grayling, MI 49738

    The Great Lakes Leadership Academy and MSU Extension are partnering to offer a 1-day leadership intensive for local government staff and elected or appointed officials.

  • Nov 19

    Building Strong Sovereign Nations 2025 Program: Anishinaabek Leadership, Part 2

    November 19, 2025 9:00AM – 12:00PM Zoom

    Building Strong Sovereign Nations is an MSU Extension training series for Tribal Nations appointed and elected officials; Tribal College faculty, administrators and students; Tribal administrators and interested community members throughout Michigan.

  • Dec 3

    Governing Essentials: Open Meetings Act (Winter 2025)

    December 3, 2025 12:00PM – 1:00PM

    The Michigan Open Meetings Act furthers government transparency by requiring public boards to provide notice and make decisions in an open public meeting. Participants will learn the requirements of the Act as well as answers to frequently asked questions.

  • Dec 4

    Fiscally Ready Communities: Getting Grant Ready - December 2025

    December 4, 2025 10:00AM – 11:30AM

    Join us for an engaging webinar designed to help local government officials navigate the full lifecycle of grants—from identifying the right opportunities to ensuring compliance and successful reporting.

  • Dec 10

    Governing Essentials: Parliamentary Procedure (Winter 2025)

    December 10, 2025 12:00PM – 1:00PM

    This session will focus on parliamentary principles, motions, and debate and decorum during meetings. Participants will explore scenarios and practice skills.

  • Dec 17

    Governing Essentials: Extraordinary Governance (Winter 2025)

    December 17, 2025 12:00PM – 1:00PM

    This session will help your board improve its governance to positively impact your community. Better board governance leads to more effective organizations that improve our communities.