Find Your Township Resources Here!

MTA offers numerous publications on a wide variety of topics, including civil infractions, planning and zoning, special assessments, fire departments, budgeting and authorities of Michigan township officials. Let MTA resources help you effectively and efficiently fulfill your duties as a township official!

How To Order?
Online: Simply click on the appropriate link below the description.
E-mail: E-mail your request to Rebecca.
Fax: Print the downloadable order form below and fax to (517) 321-8908.
Mail: Print the downloadable form below and mail to Michigan Townships Association, P.O. Box 80078, Lansing, MI, 48908-0078.

Downloadable Order Form

Read on for descriptions of all of MTA's publications, including price. (Note: Prices include shipping and handling.)

Attorney General Opinion Index
The index is a guide to legal opinions issued by the Michigan Attorney General’s office that directly impact the operation of township government in Michigan. More than 700 opinion summations, dating to January 1970, are organized alphabetically by major topic headings.

Member: $24
Non-Member: $34

Authorities and Responsibilities of Michigan Township Officials, Boards & Commissions
Known as MTA's "little red book," this primer for township board members and officials was completely revised in November 2008, with minor revisions made periodically. It includes statutory citations and incorporates recent legislation, court cases and attorney general opinions. Information is provided on terms of office, vacancy, recall, meeting notices, minutes, elections, ordinance publication, investments and tax collections, in addition to statutory duties of each elected official, and township boards and commissions.

Member: $27
Non-Member: $38

Board of Review Guide
This 170-page manual describes the duties and structure of the board, the role of the assessor and the Tax Tribunal and equalization process. In a workbook format, with tabbed headings for easy reference, this publication discusses other topics such as principals of value, hints for successful meetings, principal residence and agricultural property exemptions, poverty exemptions, new duties for the board of review, and statutory reasons for holding July and December meetings.

Member: $35
Non-Member: $49

Building a Better Budget
Written by MTA Executive Director Larry Merrill, with 2004 updates by CPA David R. Williamson, this book addresses issues from budgeting basics to projecting future financial trends. It includes sample general fund budget worksheets and budget formats to provide users with a basic foundation.
Includes a CD-ROM of Microsoft Word® and Excel® versions of several of the appendices to customize for your own township's use.

Member: $32
Non-Member: $45

Cemetery Management 

From a review of statutes that govern township authority over cemeteries, to the financial aspects of this valuable service, Township Cemetery Management serves as a guide to assist local units of government carry out this important function. From the content and procedures for adopting a township cemetery ordinance, to the role of the cemetery sexton, this publication will help township officials and employees explore the inner workings of township cemetery management. Numerous sample documents and detailed information can also be found in the appendices.

Member: $35

Non-Member: $49

Good Press, Bad Press, Depressed

This book serves as a roadmap for public officials who want to do a better job of dealing with the media in all its forms, from getting the word out when good things happen to avoiding becoming a media casualty when something bad happens.

Member: $25

Non-Member: $35

In a Public Light: A Guide to the Open Meetings & Freedom of Information Acts-Now at Close-out prices!
An easy-to-use reference book for townships, this guide contains a brief history of each act, section-by-section discussion with suggested compliance guidelines and a question-and-answer section specific to each act. A listing of relevant attorney general opinions and relevant court cases is also included, along with an addendum listing statutory changes that is updated each time the Open Meetings or Freedom of Information Acts change.

Member: $10
Non-Member: $14

Introduction to Fund Accounting
Perfect for officials responsible for township accounting procedures, this 264-page manual, produced by Resource Information Associates, provides an introduction for those with no prior accounting experience, or serves as a reference guide for quick review. With chapter topics ranging from basic accounting concepts to financial statements, this text presents the subject matter in a straight-forward, well-defined manner and offers useful examples.

Member: $45
Non-member: $63

An Introduction to Township Board Meetings

All township board members-supervisor, clerk, treasurer and trustees-are "local legislators," and have important roles to play at board meetings. Each has a duty to vote on business lawfully brought before the board, including the supervisor, who moderates the meetings. This publication is a handy reference to some of the most common questions or issues that may arise in scheduling and conducting a township board meeting.

Member: $13

Non-member: $18

Managing the Modern Michigan Township
A wealth of information about townships, this 500-page revised book provides a historical perspective on townships, policy-making issues, administrative procedures, financing/tax/budgeting concerns, discussion on public safety and other services provided through townships, planning and zoning issues, and information on capital improvements. An update has been released and will be included in your order, however, it is also available as a separate unit (see below).

Member: $35 (including update supplement)

Non-Member: $45 (including update supplement)

2006 Managing the Modern Michigan Township Update Supplement Now Available!

Member: $7 (update supplement alone)
Non-Member: $9 (update supplement alone)

Municipal Civil Infractions-The Process (NEW!)

Myths and misconceptions surround the civil infraction process, creating confusion for many township officials, lawyers and even some judges and court personnel. This book was developed to help alleviate that confusion by supplying information regarding the adoption of a municipal civil infraction procedures ordinance, the issuing of tickets and the handling of court proceedings. Samples are also included.

Member price: $30

Non-member price: $42

Officials' Guides to Township Government
This handy reference to township authorities and statutory responsibilities provides practical tips and techniques for township administration. A separate manual is available for each township office-supervisor, clerk, treasurer and trustee-with a common "core" introductory section on township finances, meeting management and ordinances, and additional sections detailing office-specific duties.
Supervisor
Member: $35
Non-member: $49
Clerk
Member: $35
Non-member: $49
Treasurer
Member: $35
Non-member: $49
Trustee
Member: $35
Non-member: $49

On-Call Fire Departments: The Township Board's Responsibilities
In 2003, MTA Executive Director Larry Merrill, a former paid on-call firefighter and officer, revised this book to include expanded chapters on the township board's responsibilities for fire protection and evaluating your township's fire protection, and a new chapter on emergency and disaster planning. Geared toward township board members and fire department personnel, this publication also provides an explanation of state and federal laws impacting fire service and fire department liability, as well as information on motivating and retaining personnel, financing the fire department and contracting for fire protection.

Member: $25
Non-Member: $35

Parliamentary Procedure in Local Government

Parliamentary procedure as practiced by local government has specific, unique characteristics not shared by other organizations. This is a comprehensive guide for members of public bodies and the parliamentarians that serve them. 

Member: $33
Non-Member: $47

Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (10th Edition)

The foremost authority on parliamentary procedure, this guide contains extensive rules covering a wide range of parliamentary situations, and provides guidelines for organizations, their members, elected and appointed officials, boards, and committees.

Member: $27.50
Non-Member: $38.50

Robert's Rules of Order In Brief

This step-by-step guide to fair, efficient and correct meeting procedure contains sample dialogues for common meeting items including motions, nominations, elections, and votes, and scores of tips for keeping meetings on track.

Member: $12
Non-Member: $17

Special Assessments: A Technical Manual for Townships
This manual, revised in 2003, is divided into three sections for easy comprehension: Section 1 provides a discussion on how to use special assessments as a financial tool and explains the administrative process; Section 2 is a reference chart of recommended special assessment statutes for various improvements; and Section 3 provides sample forms that illustrate the administrative process for creating a special assessment district under Public Act 188 of 1954.

Member: $32
Non-Member: $45

Successful Approaches to Governing and Administering a Fire Department

A compilation of fire department-related statutes, administrative rules, guidelines and sample forms, this publication also contains information on personnel issues, MIOSHA requirements and basic elements of a fire department.

Member: $25

Non-Member: $35

The Township Guide to Planning and Zoning
This book provides a comprehensive look at planning and zoning from the township perspective. Beginning with a detailed look at the planning process, this goes on to outline the elements of a successful planning program. Additional topics include statutory authority for township planning, legal influences and limitations on zoning, cooperative planning with other government units, growth management tools and techniques, and the authorities and duties of planning commissions and zoning boards. Price includes an update supplement that will be mailed upon availability!

Member: $45
Non-Member: $63

Township Planning & Zoning Decision-making

Covering issues ranging from the technical to the ethical and from day-to-day actions to those that are lasting, this handbook is intended to be at the fingertips of the township's planning and zoning officials, as a means to help them reach defensible, effective decisions and build a strong community based on planning principles and sound procedures.

Member: $32
Non-Member: $45

2009-2010 Michigan Township Officials Directory-Now Available!
The Directory is a guide to Michigan's 1,240 townships and more than 6,500 township officials including names, position on the board, addresses and telephone numbers. The townships are divided by county, and include population, township hall location, central address, and central telephone and fax numbers. The Directory also includes a listing of county addresses and telephone numbers, as well as a legislative directory and a guide to information resources for townships.

Member: $38
Non-Member: $58

Questions?
Contact Rebecca Popoff at (517) 321-6467, extension 227.