Michigan Townships Association

2025 Township Focus Archive

Click on the cover image to read a PDF copy of that month’s issue of Township Focus.

This month’s cover story: Inside Township Government

Additional articles include: 

  • Tips to be effective at township board meetings (Cover Story)
  • Budgeting and planning reminders and updates for 2025 (Feature)
  • 2025 retirement plan updates (Financial Forum)
  • What the Township board can and can’t do (Hello, MTA…?)
  • Bills passed before end of lame ducks session impact townships (Inside Lansing)
  • 2025 Annual Conference & Expo details

This month’s cover story: Lawful township expenditures

Additional articles include: 

  • Starting a conversation: Human Library brings local stories to life (Feature)
  • The importance of the management’s discussion and analysis in township financial reporting (Financial Forum)
  • Answering your questions on budget, fund balance & more (Hello, MTA…?)
  • 2024 Public Acts (Inside Lansing)

This month’s cover story: Unwavering confidence: The foundation of leadership

Additional articles include: 

  • Amplifying local voices: Michigan Public Policy Survey shares insights, experiences of Michigan’s township officials (Feature)
  • Financial leadership: The hallmark of high-performing township boards (Financial Forum)
  • The ins & outs of assessment administration (Hello, MTA…?)
  • Executive budget presented, state budget process begins for FY 2026 (Inside Lansing)
  • 2025 MTA Annual Conference preview

May

This month’s cover story: ‘Public service is a gift’ Harold Koviak leads MTA as its 2025 President

Additional articles include: 

  • ‘Showing up at our best’ Conference keynoter explores how to lead with confidence—and inspire confidence in others (Cover Story)
  • Loud and clear: Leaders convene for MTA Capital Conference to ensure township voice is heard in Lansing (Feature)
  • Well-deserved recognition: Dedicated officials honored at MTA Conference with ‘Spirit of MTA’ awards (Feature)
  • Embracing learning opportunities: 2025 TGA grads also first township leaders to complete MTA’s ‘Red Book Ready’ program (Feature)

This month’s cover story: Townships and ESTA: An introduction to paid earned sick time

Additional articles include: 

  • A lasting legacy: Remembering Robert R. Robinson’s service to MTA, township government (Feature)
  • Audit readiness: Practical steps for township success (Financial Forum)
  • How does a township set the salaries of the township board offices (Hello, MTA…?)
  • Legislative lowdown: A look at critical bills that MTA is following (Inside Lansing)

This month’s cover story: Cultivating an intentional township culture

Additional articles include: 

  • There’s an app for that—Township launches app to keep residents informed (Feature)
  • Effective filing of Michigan Form F-65 (Financial Forum)
  • The do’s & don’ts of the township planning commission (Hello, MTA…?)
  • Revenue sharing appropriations unknown at July 1 budget deadline; move to preempt local zoning (Inside Lansing)

This month’s cover story: What you need to know about the Open Meetings Act

Additional articles include: 

  • What is the FDTA & how could it affect Michigan’s townships? (Feature)
  • Answering your questions on accounting procedures, bill payments & more (Financial Forum)
  • Municipal civil infractions: what they are & how to handle them (Hello, MTA…?)
  • Our 2025 Vendor Directory, for easy access & contact details when looking for products & services to help your township run smoothly.

This month’s cover story: On the Record: Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act

Additional articles include: 

  • Specific rules for township board meetings (Feature)
  • Issuing bonds: What township officials need to know (Financial Forum)
  • Using drones for ordinance enforcement (Hello, MTA…?)
  • Share your input on MTA’s 2026 Legislative Policy Platform (Inside Lansing)

This month’s cover story: Supporting Michigan’s fire service: Partnering to meet emerging challenges

Additional articles include: 

  • A different kind of service: Township fire department establishes Project Fire Buddies chapter (Cover Story)
  • Inspiring tomorrow’s local leaders: MTA awards annual Robinson Scholarship (Feature)
  • Petty cash: Tips & answers (Financial Forum)
  • Explaining governmental immunity (Hello, MTA…?)