2025 Elected Officials Workshop

This free, half-day workshop builds on last year’s introductory program and digs into the next layer of issues shaping municipal leadership today—from big-ticket funding decisions and zoning pressure points to lawful spending, speech, and governance in a highly visible public environment. Through interactive polling, real-world scenarios, and candid conversations with FSBR’s municipal attorneys, you’ll explore practical, legally grounded approaches you can adapt to your own community and walk away with clearer frameworks for tackling the tough questions that land on your desk.

Enjoy a complimentary boxed lunch, followed by a networking cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres at the conclusion of the event. Additionally, two attendees will be randomly selected to receive a deluxe gift basket as a thank-you for spending the afternoon with us.

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From Roads to Fire Protection: Master Special Assessments Without the Headache

As a newly elected official, you’ll quickly discover that special assessments can be a powerful tool for funding everything from private road maintenance to community-wide fire protection. But let’s be honest – the process can feel overwhelming with its legal requirements, public hearings, and protest procedures. Join us as we decode Michigan’s special assessment statutes (including the essential PA 188 of 1954) and transform this complex process into a manageable roadmap.

Crowdsourced Zoning Hot Topics: Navigate Today’s Toughest Challenges Together

Are zoning issues keeping you up at night? Join us for this interactive, crowd-driven experience where you control the agenda. Using live polling technology, participants will vote in real-time to prioritize which burning zoning issues we tackle first. Are you more worried about the data centers? The implications of citing renewable energy projects after state preemption? Or the pressure to address affordable housing while maintaining community character? Our team of municipal attorneys will pivot based on your feedback to address these new, and often contentious zoning issues.

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: Why Municipalities Can’t Just Help Everyone (And What You Can Do Instead)

Every new municipal official starts with the best intentions – wanting to help local efforts, support community churches, fix that one neighbor’s road, or contribute to worthy causes. The reality is that Michigan law has strict rules about how you can spend taxpayer money, and violating them can lead to personal liability, criminal charges, and political disaster. Join us for an essential deep dive into the powers and authorities governing lawful expenditures.

Four Voices, Four Sets of Rules: Navigating Municipal, Official, Employee, and Public Speech Rights

In an age of viral videos, social media firestorms, and fierce political disagreements, municipalities face unprecedented challenges managing four distinct categories of speech – each with its own constitutional rules and legal boundaries. This comprehensive presentation untangles the complex web of First Amendment law to give you practical tools for navigating every speech scenario your municipality will face.

Municipal Governance Decoded: From Routine Motions to Constitutional Crises

Municipal governance isn’t just about Robert’s Rules and roll calls – it’s about understanding the complex web of authority that shapes every decision your board makes. This presentation cuts through the confusion to reveal how power actually flows through Michigan municipalities, from routine meeting management to major policy decisions. Drawing from real-world experiences, impressive victories, and cautionary tales from Michigan municipalities, this session addresses the governance challenges that trip up even experienced officials.