News
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Michigan Local Government Benchmarking Consortium helps lower costs and improve services
Published on April 13, 2013
Organizations that want to improve program effectiveness and efficiency need to manage performance, and to do so, they have to measure it. The measures they choose need to be meaningful and linked to a desired goal, result or benchmark. -
How Violence Again Women Act impacts tribal nations in Michigan
Published on April 9, 2013
Outlining how reauthorized VAWA has added protections for women in tribal nations. -
Understanding nonconformity: Are you 'granfathered' in?
Published on April 4, 2013
Properties that qualify as nonconforming often have particular regulations that affect how an owner can make changes to the property. Understanding these regulations is important in order to avoid potential conflict with local government. -
Smart home business regulations can spur economic development
Published on April 4, 2013
Home occupations are a key part of local economies and need regulations to support them. One of the latest trends is no regulation at all as the Internet has made home-business possiblities so easy. -
Local budget process needs more community input
Published on April 4, 2013
Michigan communities are governed by a law designed to establish a consistent process to regulate the financial management of local units of government. However, the Act does not require any more additional public involvement than a single public hearing. -
Planning your community’s future for a stronger, sustainable, self-reliant food system
Published on April 4, 2013
How a community grows, changes and prepares for its future is guided by its master plan. Where does the food system fit into your community’s future plans? -
Cleaning up your community: How to deal with the accumulation of junk
Published on April 4, 2013
Accumulated junk on properties can adversely affect the health, safety and property values in a community. Using a multi-faceted approach to dealing with junk can bring people together to improve the quality of life in their community. -
Lake Improvement Boards: A local approach to inland lake protection
Published on March 24, 2013
New manual offers guidance on forming a lake improvement board. Manual is free and available to download. -
Communities can enhance local planning and zoning using the Internet
Published on March 24, 2013
Advances in Internet technology and accessibility provide an excellent opportunity for land use officials to make planning and zoning information more available, and increase the number of citizens engaged in planning decisions. -
Workshops to help northeast Michigan communities protect water quality
Published on March 24, 2013
Upcoming MSU Extension workshop series will help local officials tackle the challenge of protecting the region’s outstanding water resources.