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MTA COVID-19 Video Update

These videos are also available as a podcast on Township Talk. 

COVID-19 Updates and Resources for Local Governments

In partnership with the Michigan Municipal League, Michigan Townships Association and Michigan Association of Counties, the Michigan Department of Treasury is pleased to announce the sixth joint webinar, “COVID-19 Updates and Resources for Local Governments,” which was held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12, 2020.

Topics include updates on CARES Act Funding for Local Governments including: first responder hazard pay premiums, public safety and public health payroll expenditures, August revenue sharing payments, and water utility assistance. Additional topics include opportunities for local government to support businesses and updates on FEMA grant dollars.

Web Resources:

MTA Q&A: The Impact of Proposal 18-3 & COVID-19 on Elections

With the upcoming primary and general elections, there are a lot of questions about elections administration and safety—both for election workers and voters—during the COVID-19 pandemic. Get your questions answered at our upcoming live MTA Q&A with the state Bureau of Elections, featuring director Jonathan Brater. Held at noon on July 22, this free hour-long event is designed for the entire township board, to help you understand how the new requirements are impacting your township, your budget and the role of your clerk.

Web Resources:

MTA Q&A: Review details & deadlines for CARES Act Funding

COVID-19 has certainly had an impact on township expenditures and your township can be reimbursed through the federal CARES Act funding for certain public safety and public health payroll expenditures. But there is a very short window to apply! Learn more about the $200 million appropriation to reimburse local units—what expenses are eligible, how to apply and what you need to do to meet the fast-approaching application deadline of July 17. 
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MTA Q&A: The Impact of COVID-19 on July Boards of Review

COVID-19 was a game-changer for many things, MTA's Member Information Services team—Director Michael Selden and MIS Liaison Cindy Dodge—joined by Shila Kiander Director, Mecosta County Equalization Department and President, Michigan Association of Equalization Directors and Rob Thall, MTA Legal Counsel, Bauckham, Sparks, Thall, Seeber & Kaufman, P.C. discuss how Executive Order 2020-87, granting a temporary extension of March BOR appeals, impacts your township. Find out how the challenges leftover from March Boards of Review spills into July and gain insights into the guidance offered by the Governor’s office as well as the State Tax Commission.
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MTA Q&A: How townships can help businesses re-open

As Michigan begins a phased re-opening, townships across the state are focused on the economy. Getting back to work, and back to business, is crucial for all of us, learn steps your township can take to help stimulate your local economy and facilitate Michigan’s successful grand reopening. MTA Executive Director Neil Sheridan hosted this recorded webinar, and discussion with the Small Business Association of Michigan, Meridian Charter Township (Ingham Co.) and Green Lake Township (Grand Traverse Co.). A vital summer season is still within reach, but a key driver to speedy recovery includes healthy local business. 

 

Webinar Resources:

MTA Q&A: Rolling with the changes during COVID-19

Find out how the most current executive orders and regional lifting of restrictions impact your township. MTA’s entire Member Information Services team—Director Michael Selden, Staff Attorney Catherine Mullhaupt and MIS Liaison Cindy Dodge—joined by Seth Koches, legal counsel from Bauckham, Sparks, Thall, Seeber & Kaufman P.C., offer insights into the evolving impact of the COVID-19 crisis on your township operations. We tackled a wide variety of topics, from meetings to campgrounds, to help you understand where we are now.

Webinar Resources

The Impact of COVID-19 on Municipal Cyber Security

COVID-19 drove us all into remote workplaces creating a target-rich environment and exposing our data to new vulnerabilities, from ransomware to phishing attacks. Listen in as the experts review security measures and recommend controls to help protect your township network and the data stored there. Finally, gain insights into what to do if you do have a data security breach.

Webinar Resources

MTA Q&A - Considerations for Re-Opening Your Township Hall

This webinar is about the planning efforts your board must consider as you prepare to return to the township hall. From risk management to safety guidelines, physical screening to confidentiality, townships must ensure their workplace (and workforce!) is prepared for a safe return. MTA’s Member Information Liaison Cindy Dodge teams up with MTA Legal Counsel Seth Koches from Bauckham, Sparks, Thall, Seeber & Kaufman, P.C. to review actions that should be considered as your township plans to resume operations in light of recent COVID-19 restrictions. Discussion includes precautions that need to be implemented in both the short- and long-term, as well as in the event of another emergency closure.

Resources from webinar:

MTA Board Briefing with Governor Gretchen Whitmer on COVID-19

Monday, May 11, Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the MTA Board for a briefing on COVID-19 and Michigan’s response—including the impact on the state budget, the need for additional federal stimulus funding, and insights in the stages of recovery and reengaging while mitigating risk. “We have to give the public confidence that they are safe," the governor said of local leaders serving residents during this time. "We need to tackle this together, and I appreciate your leadership in your communities.”

Sen. Jim Stamas, Senate appropriations chair, briefs MTA Executive Committee

Sen. Jim Stamas (R-Midland), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, provided an update on the state budget process amidst the COVID-19 pandemic to members of MTA's Executive Committee and the MTA Board from the senator's district. The senator shared the estimated revenue loss of $3 billion the state is facing with five months remaining in its fiscal year, with a larger impact expected for the upcoming fiscal year. MTA greatly appreciates the time Sen. Stamas provided in meeting with members of MTA's leadership, sharing the latest budget information and learning about the financial challenges townships and other local governments are facing.

COVID-19 Updates and Resources for Local Governments - Part 2

Topics covered include Michigan economic forecasting, a Federal Emergency Management Agency update, the state budget process, and local government budgeting and projections. Watch MTA emails for information on upcoming free Treasury webinars on May 18 and early June. The webinars are a partnership among Treasury, MTA, the Michigan Municipal League and Michigan Association of Counties.
Created in partnership with Michigan Townships Association, Michigan Municipal League and Michigan Association of Counties.

"MTA Q&A" webinar, Township Cemetery and Park Management During the COVID-19 Crisis

Cemetery expert and Member Information Services (MIS) Liaison Cindy Dodge leads this free hour-long session, moderated by MIS Director Michael Selden, offering guidance on the township’s role on burials and funeral services during the crisis, as well as providing answers to your questions on maintaining township properties.

Resources from webinar:

Leadership in challenging times

Everything seems more difficult now than ever before. This is not an easy transition. MTA and 2018 Conference keynoter Brett Culp want to remind you that you are not alone. Listen to a special message from Brett including three tips on staying strong and leading your community through this crisis.

COVID-19 Updates and Resources for Local Governments

The Michigan Department of Treasury partnered with the Michigan Townships Association, Michigan Municipal League, and Michigan Association of Counties for this webinar. Topics include local government economic impacts, state resources, and federal funding information.
Created in partnership with Michigan Townships Association, Michigan Municipal League and Michigan Association of Counties.

PowerPoint

MTA COVID-19 Update: Hot Topics from the State Fire Marshal

Don’t miss this special message from Michigan State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer offering insights into training, resources from the Bureau of Fire Services and the CDC as well as his insights into PPE for firefighters.

MTA COVID-19 Update: "MTA Q&A" live webinar (audio-only)

Hear MTA’s entire Member Information Services team—Director Michael Selden, Staff Attorney Catherine Mullhaupt and MIS Liaison Cindy Dodge—answer a variety of questions about the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on your township operations in this free, recorded hour-long session, moderated by MTA Executive Director Neil Sheridan, that was presented live on April 15.

MTA COVID-19 Update: Legislative update

Hear from MTA’s Director of Government Relations on our involvement during the COVID-19 period including work with the Governor’s Office and State departments. Learn more about the state budget, supplemental funding, and the federal stimulus bills as well as their impact to your township.

Temporary extension of FOIA response times

Listen in as MTA’s Staff Attorney Catherine Mullhaupt and Member Information Service Director Michael Selden discuss handling Freedom of Information Act requests in light of Gov. Whitmer’s recent executive order providing temporary flexibility on statutory requirements.

COVID-19's impact on processing payroll and working from home

Cindy Dodge, MTA Member Information Services Liaison brings you information about: 1. Working remotely 2. Families First Coronavirus Response Act 3. Emergency Family Medical Leave Act 4. Other payroll issues

Exploring & explaining Gov. Whitmer’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order

Michael Selden, Director of Member Information Services and Catherine Mullhaupt, MTA Staff Attorney