LANSING, Michigan - About 25 municipal leaders from throughout the state attended a “Millage Matters Workshop” by the Michigan Municipal League in Lansing, Friday, March 25, 2011. The event gave the ins and outs about having successful millage and ballot campaigns.
With the state of the current economy, Michigan community leaders are looking at every way possible to maintain services to their residents while also balancing their budgets. This includes cutting expenses and looking at various ways to maintain or increase revenues.
Roger Martin, a partner with Martin Waymire Advocacy Communications, talked to the group about the steps needed to have a successful campaign. Following Martin’s presentation the audience heard from three officials from communities that recently had successful millage campaigns. The three panelists were Alex Allie, Huntington Woods city manager; Lathrup Village Mayor Frank Brock and Susan Rowe, Wayne city council member and a trustee on the Michigan Municipal League Board. Each panelist talked about their campaigns and things they learned through the process.
“You don’t have to have a lot of money for a campaign,” Rowe said. “It’s all about communication with the voters – knocking on doors. That’s the key – talking.”
Learn the latest about revenue sharing, the medical marijuana issue, Public Act 312, the Urban Cooperation Act and other issues facing Michigan communities during the League’s annual Convention April 4-6 in Lansing. For details go here. For more about the League and what we do go to mml.org. View more photos from Friday's "Millage Matters" workshop here in a set on flickr.
Matt Bach is director of communications for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at (734) 669-6317 or mbach@mml.org.
Municipal leaders from throughout the state listen to Roger Martin discuss how to run a successful millage campaign. Martin spoke Friday at the Michigan Municipal League's office in Lansing. View more photos here.
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