Now You Know - Taxation Trouble Spots (RBR 11)

Contains 2 Component(s), Includes Credits

MTA's one-hour webinar on the top tax-collection challenges treasurers face, including summer deferments, property tax administration fees, steps to impose (or waive) the three-percent penalty, and much more.

Now You Know - Taxation Trouble Spots

Tackle the top tax-collection challenges treasurers face, including how to navigate the ins and outs of summer deferments, refunds and tax receipts; clarify the property tax administration fee; and review the steps to impose—or waive—the three-percent penalty. Explore the distribution of taxes collected, designated agents and tax collection bonds, plus what’s required on a tax bill. Walk away with practical tips for working with your school district to collect summer taxes--all in just one hour.

Fulfills Chapter 11: Tax Collecting in MTA's Red Book Ready program.

**MTA Online "Premium Pass" subscribers: This webcast is already part of your subscription. To access, login then click MY WEBCASTS, then click the Premium Package link to view this webcast, or to access other webcasts included in your package. You may need to click "Activate" to begin viewing the recording.**

Cindy Dodge

MTA Consultant

Cindy Dodge joined MTA in 2006 as a Member Information Liaison, hailing from Williamstown Township in Ingham County where she served as Clerk since 2005. She had been involved with the township since 2003 in other roles, including assistant to the supervisor, planning commissioner, and assistant to the planning commission. She is currently a Michigan Certified Assessing Officer. Now an MTA Consultant, Cindy provides township officials and employees with information and resources via phone and email regarding the day-to-day functions of township government. She also assist in developing resource materials, and presents workshop and Conference sessions as well as teaching live and recorded webinar courses.

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Now You Know - Poll-Position: Practical Primer for Election Season

Contains 1 Component(s)

Get answers to your timely election questions! MTA's experts cover everything from election inspector appointments to the rules for campaigning and more--all in just one hour.

Poll-Position: Practical Primer for Election Season

Can township board members serve as election inspectors? How should precinct election inspector appointments be balanced by party affiliation? Get answers to these and other timely election questions with this one-hour webcast. Review the rules surrounding campaigning during absent voter ballot processing, early voting and Election Day—including the differences between township-owned and private property. Plus, examine how the new term start date (Dec. 1, 2026) impacts election administration and township operations. You’ll get helpful clarification and practical guidance, all in just one hour.

**MTA Online "Premium Pass" subscribers: This webcast is already part of your subscription. To access, login then click MY WEBCASTS, then click the Premium Package link to view this webcast, or to access other webcasts included in your package. You may need to click "Activate" to begin viewing the recording.**

Judy Bigney

MTA Member Information Liaison

Michigan Townships Association

Judy Bigney joined MTA’s Member Information Services in August of 2023, bringing with her more than two decades of experience as a local official to share with township leaders across the state. Bigney, who served as Algoma Township (Kent Co.) clerk for 22+ years, has joined the Association as a new Member Information Services Liaison. Bigney was first elected clerk in November 2000, and earned her master municipal clerk certification from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) in August 2007. In addition to her service on the township board, she was also a member of the Kent County MTA Chapter, Kent County Clerks Association, Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks and IIMC. Bigney and her husband of 31 years own and operate one of the few remaining dairy farms in Algoma Township, with more than 100 cows total. Their youngest son hopes to continue with the family farm in the future.

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Hot Topics in Planning & Zoning (2 parts; RBR 15)

Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits

This 2-part series, led by MTA legal counsel, is a how-to guide on the latest issues facing township planning and zoning teams--including renewables, data centers, short-term rentals and more. **Registration is limited to MTA-member township officials only.**

Township Planning & Zoning: What’s New, Changing and Challenging

The latest issues in planning and zoning are just heating up, but is your team ready? This 2-part series features expert insights from MTA legal counsel at Bauckham, Thall, Seeber, Kaufman & Koches, PC on the following key topics:

Renewal Energy
Data Centers
Short-term Rentals
Ordinance Enforcement
Amendments to the Land Division Act

Please note: Registration for this webcast is only available to township officials and staff from MTA member townships.

Counts as full credit for Chapter 15: Land Use in MTA's Red Book Ready program.

Catherine P. Kaufman

Attorney & Partner

Bauckham, Sparks, Thall, Seeber & Kaufman, PC

Catherine P. Kaufman is an attorney and partner at Bauckham, Sparks, Thall, Seeber & Kaufman, PC. Her practice includes all facets of municipal representation, with a concentration on land use, zoning and planning matters. She has served as advisor to municipal planning commissions and zoning boards of appeal, as well as to private citizen and environmental groups. A member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, she has also worked as a land use planner and is active in statewide planning organizations. An honors graduate of James Madison College at Michigan State University, she received a Masters in Urban Planning from the University of Michigan and a J.D. from Wayne State University.

Michael Bila

MTA Legal Counsel

Bauckham, Thall, Seeber, Kaufman & Koches, PC

At the time of recording, Michael Bila was an attorney with the Kalmazoo-based firm Bauckham Thall Seeber Kaufman & Koches, PC. He joined the firm in 2022 after graduating from the University of Michigan Law School, where he also gained government law experience working for the City of Ann Arbor, the Michigan Department of Attorney General Criminal Trials & Appeals Division, and the Michigan Department of Attorney General Corporate Oversight Division. In addition to his government work, Michael also served as a defense attorney with the University of Michigan’s Juvenile Justice Clinic representing underserved youth.

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Now You Know - Sticky Situations: Ethics in Everyday Decisions (RBR 5)

Contains 2 Component(s), Includes Credits

This one-hour webinar offers real examples of ethical decision-making, fiduciary responsibility and respectful governance, including the emerging debate over NDAs.

Sticky Situations: Ethics in Everyday Decisions

Township decision-making is no walk in the park! You face conflicts of interest, confidentiality concerns, and differing opinions on what’s ‘right' in just about every decision you make. This month’s webinar—led by MTA Legal Counsel Bauckham, Thall, Seeber, Kaufman & Koches, PC—offers real examples of ethical decision-making, fiduciary responsibility, and respectful governance, including the emerging debate over NDAs. You’ll get real-world strategies for strengthening public trust in your board's decisions, all in just one hour. Can’t make the date? We’ll record it so you can watch when it works for you.

Counts as full credit for Chapter 5: Holding Township Board Office in MTA's Red Book Ready program.

**MTA Online "Premium Pass" subscribers: This webcast is already part of your subscription. To access, login then click MY WEBCASTS, then click the Premium Package link to view this webcast, or to access other webcasts included in your package. You may need to click "Activate" to begin viewing the recording.**

Seth Koches

Attorney/Partner

Bauckham, Thall, Seeber, Kaufman & Koches, PC

Seth Koches is an attorney and Partner at Bauckham, Thall, Seeber, Kaufman & Koches, P.C. Prior to joining the firm, Seth worked as an assistant prosecuting attorney for 7 years in the Oakland County and Kalamazoo County Prosecutor’s office prosecuting cases from simple retail fraud to criminal sexual conduct and assault with intent to murder. Seth’s primary practice encompasses nearly every aspect of municipal law including annexation, ordinance enforcement, planning and zoning, and amicus writing.

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- Member - $25
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F-105: Fundamentals of Assessment and Taxation (3 parts; 4 TGA credits; RBR 10)

Contains 6 Component(s), Includes Credits

This two-part webcast covers the processes of assessment & taxation from assessment to board of review meetings, all the way to tax collection, as well as other revenue sources townships deal with.

Property taxation and assessment administration are two cornerstones of township operations. From assessment and board of review meetings, all the way to tax collection— it's essential that board members have an understanding of how the process works. Learn more about the Headlee Amendment and Proposal A, as well as truth in taxation, assessing and equalization. Delve into a variety of revenue sources coming into the township, including millages, administrative fees and special assessments.

Counts as full credit (6.00) for F-105 in MTA's Township Governance Academy. Also counts as full credit for Chapter 10: Assessing & the Board of Review in MTA's Red Book Ready program.

To receive TGA credit, candidates must view all webcast segments, complete and pass the post-webcast quiz, and complete and send the upper portion of the Practical Application Commitment (PAC) form to [email protected].

**MTA Online Premium Pass subscribers: This webcast is already part of your subscription. To access, click MY WEBCASTS, then click the Premium Package link to view this webcast, or to access other webcasts included in your package.

Shila Kiander, MAAO

Director, Mecosta County Equalization Department

Shila Kiander is a Michigan Advanced Assessing Officer with more than 20 years’ experience in the assessment administration field. She has served as the Equalization Director for Mecosta County since 2007, and before that was the assessor for three units in northern Kent County. She also teaches assessor continuing education courses around the state, including the MTA Board of Review Training sessions and other courses for MTA.

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- Member - $120
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Now You Know - Summer Update: Legislative News from the Capitol

Contains 1 Component(s)

MTA's Government Relations team offers an inside look at developments at the Capitol for summer 2026. Gain insights on key issues, upcoming measures and their impact on your township.

Summer Update: Legislative News from the Capitol

MTA’s Government Relations team gives an inside look at developments at the Capitol for summer 2026. They break down the 2026 session to-date—including the state budget and revenue sharing—as well as provide updates on housing preemption legislation and property tax reform. Gain insight on key issues at the forefront, upcoming measures on the horizon and what they could mean for your role as a township official.

**MTA Online "Premium Pass" subscribers: This webcast is already part of your subscription. To access, login then click MY WEBCASTS, then click the Premium Package link to view this webcast, or to access other webcasts included in your package. You may need to click "Activate" to begin viewing the recording.**

Judy Allen

Director of Government Relations

MTA

As director, Judy oversees MTA’s legislative efforts to advocate on legislation impacting township government. She represents the interests of MTA members before the Legislature and the administration.

Judy began working for MTA in 2012 and has previous experience working with state and local governments. Prior to coming to MTA, Judy served as Director of Government and Community Services of Oakland Schools, where she advocated on behalf of 28 districts in Lansing and Washington, D.C. Judy has also served as Chief of Staff to the Senate Majority Leader and was later appointed by then Gov. John Engler to serve as Chairperson of the Michigan State Liquor Control Commission.

Joanne Wisely

Legislative Associate

MTA

As MTA legislative associate, Joanne Wisely supports MTA efforts to advocate at both the state and federal levels on behalf of Michigan’s 1,240 townships and thousands of local leaders serving their communities.

Prior to joining MTA, Wisely spent more than three years as legislative director, serving in the offices of Reps. Mary Cavanagh and Noah Arbit. While pursuing her bachelor’s degree in the Honors College at Eastern Michigan University, she was a legislative and policy intern with Michigan Legislative Consultants.

Carmen Siciliano

Legislative Associate

Michigan Townships Association

Siciliano comes to MTA after spending four years as a senior consultant with Public Sector Consultants, conducting research and analysis, developing reports, and providing strategic counsel on issues related to local, state and national energy policy and utility regulation. Previously, he spent 15 years within the Michigan Legislature in a number of positions, including serving as chief of staff to former Sen. Mike Nofs and policy advisor with the Senate Majority Policy Office.

Siciliano earned his bachelor’s degree in Public Policy from Western Michigan University, and a master’s of Public Administration from Central Michigan University.

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Election Ready: The Township Toolkit (RBR 12)

Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits

Township clerks and deputies have plenty of hurdles to navigate when it comes to running elections. MTA can help! Take deep dive into election requirements and explore practical ways to manage your upcoming elections with election experts and former township clerks, Cindy Dodge and Judy Bigney.

Is Your Township Election Ready?

Township clerks and deputies have plenty of hurdles to navigate when it comes to running elections. MTA can help! Take deep dive into election requirements and explore practical ways to manage your upcoming elections with election experts and former township clerks, Cindy Dodge and Judy Bigney. Explore the latest in municipal elections including:

Who does what—and where can clerks get help: Explore the roles of deputies, election assistants and inspectors, discuss strategies for managing the interoffice dynamics and learn where clerks can turn for support.
How election changes affect compensation: Understand how increased hours from early voting and election administration affect your election workers’ compensation, and learn how Social Security exemptions and other income taxes come into play.
What to know about early voting agreements: Navigate early voting agreements when partnering with multiple jurisdictions and explore key considerations before entering into an agreement.

You’ll walk away with insights into what’s new, what works (and doesn’t) as well as tried-and-true checklists and time management tips that will help you troubleshoot even those nagging Election Day issues!

Counts as full credit for Chapter 12: Elections in MTA's Red Book Ready program.

**MTA Online "Premium Pass" subscribers: This webcast is already part of your subscription. To access, login then click MY WEBCASTS, then click the Premium Package link to view this webcast, or to access other webcasts included in your package. You may need to click "Activate" to begin viewing the recording.**

Recorded in June 2026.

Judy Bigney

MTA Member Information Liaison

Michigan Townships Association

Judy Bigney joined MTA’s Member Information Services in August of 2023, bringing with her more than two decades of experience as a local official to share with township leaders across the state. Bigney, who served as Algoma Township (Kent Co.) clerk for 22+ years, has joined the Association as a new Member Information Services Liaison. Bigney was first elected clerk in November 2000, and earned her master municipal clerk certification from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) in August 2007. In addition to her service on the township board, she was also a member of the Kent County MTA Chapter, Kent County Clerks Association, Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks and IIMC. Bigney and her husband of 31 years own and operate one of the few remaining dairy farms in Algoma Township, with more than 100 cows total. Their youngest son hopes to continue with the family farm in the future.