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News & Events Digest: August 2025





AM Champions
Over 110 Local Participants Join Michigan's Latest Asset Management Training Program

Michigan’s infrastructure is more than just concrete and steel—it’s about building a sustainable and prosperous state through local education and training.

On August 18, the Michigan Infrastructure Council (MIC) launched its eighth Asset Management (AM) Champions cohort, with over 110 participants from across the state. The goal of the program is to develop leaders who are empowered to champion organizational change at a local level for the effective management of roads, water, sewer, electrical and broadband infrastructure.

"The AM Champions Program is reshaping how Michigan thinks about and invests in infrastructure,” said MIC Chair Palencia Mobley, P.E. “By fostering a culture of collaboration, long-term thinking and shared responsibility, we’re empowering communities and practitioners across the state to make more informed and sustainable infrastructure investment decisions that stand the test of time.”

Since 2021, more than 600 Michiganders have immersed themselves in infrastructure asset management through the program, a number expected to grow over the next decade.

The AM Champions Program offers free training on asset management best practices, using the Asset Management Readiness Scale (AMRS). Participants can earn 2.5 continuing education credits for drinking water operators, approved by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) and Professional Engineer (PE) credits.

Reliable infrastructure is essential for thriving communities and economic prosperity, supporting daily life, businesses and the environment. Asset management addresses historical underinvestment, unlocking Michigan's infrastructure potential and driving economic growth.

A network of AM Champions is tapping into Michigan's infrastructure potential, fostering networking and building a strong community of knowledge exchange and learning.

“The Asset Management Champion course has provided me with practical tools to help craft a comprehensive asset management plan for our community,” said AM Champion and City of Charlevoix Manager Mark L. Heydlauff. “I have always thought about the water, sewer, streets and electric infrastructure, but this course caused me to think more holistically. I'm sure this will help us make better and more thoughtful long-range infrastructure decisions.”

With high demand, MIC is building a waitlist for the next cohort set to launch in January 2026. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/mic/am-champions [ [link removed] ].

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Infrastructure Conference
Save the Date: Integrated Infrastructure Conference 2026

The Michigan Infrastructure Council (MIC) is excited to announce that the next Integrated Infrastructure Conference (IIC) will take place on *September 23–24, 2026*, at the *Vistatech Center in Livonia, Michigan*.

The theme for the 2026 conference is *“From Silos to Synergy: Infrastructure Asset Management in Action.”* This event will highlight how communities are transforming their infrastructure strategies through unified, integrated asset management from assets owned across communities.

The IIC is a biennial event hosted by the Michigan Infrastructure Council (MIC), the Transportation Asset Management Council (TAMC) and the Water Asset Management Council (WAMC). It builds on the success of the inaugural 2024 conference in Grand Rapids, which welcomed over 230 attendees and featured more than 50 infrastructure expert speakers.

The conference brings together professionals from across infrastructure sectors—transportation, drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, energy and communications—to explore collaboration and coordination across asset classes. Attendees include representatives from all levels of government, utilities, regional agencies, consultants, nonprofits, academia and trade organizations.

To learn more about the IIC Conference, go to www.michigan.gov/mic [ [link removed] ]. For other conference updates, follow the MIC on LinkedIn [ [link removed] ] and subscribe to their email list [ [link removed] ].

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Treasury Talk Podcast

Treasury Talk Podcast: State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks and MIC Executive Director Ryan Laruwe discuss the importance of infrastructure work. [ [link removed] ]



Find Your Fit

Your Career Starts Here! [ [link removed] ]






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Local Government Update

Public Comment Opportunity: Updates to Treasury’s Local Government Numbered Letters

The Michigan Department of Treasury is reviewing and updating its Numbered Letters—guidance documents that support local governments in accounting and auditing practices. This initiative ensures the information remains accurate, relevant and accessible.

As part of this effort, Treasury is refreshing documents issued from 1993 to the present, with a goal of updating approximately 20% of these publications each year. Updates may include formatting improvements, verification of web links, and, in some cases, significant revisions or removal of outdated content.

To follow these updates as they happen, Treasury is maintaining a dedicated page where refreshed publications are posted. You can view the most recent versions of letters and notices at www.michigan.gov/treasury/local/lafd/letters [ [link removed] ]. Checking this page regularly is the best way to stay current on revisions, removals and new guidance.

*Public Comment Period Now Open*

The Local Audit and Finance Division (LAFD) is currently seeking public comments on several exposure drafts of Numbered Letters. Comments will be accepted in writing on the following below through September 22, 2025, unless otherwise noted.

*1. Numbered Letter 2025-3*

Provides guidance on dollar limits for professional training and education expenditures for retirement system governing body board members, as outlined in Section 13(6) of the Public Employee Retirement System Investment Act (Public Act 314 of 1965).


* *Submit comments by email* to: [email protected]
* *Subject line:* “Numbered Letter 2025-3 Compliance with Dollar Limits for Public Employee Retirement System Board Member Professional Training and Education Expenditures under Public Act 314 of 1965”
* *Deadline:* September 22, 2025
* *View the draft:* Exposure Draft Numbered Letter 2025-3 [ [link removed] ]

*2. Revised Numbered Letter 2016-1*

Provides updated guidance on deficit elimination plan requirements under the Glenn Steil State Revenue Sharing Act of 1971.


* *Submit comments by email* to: [email protected]
* *Subject line:* “Revised Numbered Letter 2016-1 Deficit Elimination Plans”
* *Deadline:* September 22, 2025
* *View the draft:* Exposure Draft Revised Numbered Letter 2016-1 [ [link removed] ]

*3. Revised Numbered Letter 2021-1*

Consolidates and clarifies Treasury’s post-issuance debt review process, incorporating content from Bulletin 3 (last revised 2003).


* *Submit comments by email* to: [email protected]
* *Subject line:* “Revised Numbered Letter 2021-1 Security Reports”
* *Deadline:* September 22, 2025
* *View the draft:* Exposure Draft Revised Numbered Letter 2021-1 [ [link removed] ]

*4. General Comments on Other Select Numbered Letters*

The Local Audit and Finance Division is also accepting broader public comments on other selected Numbered Letters [ [link removed] ] through September 25, 2025.


* *Submit general comments by email* to: [email protected]
* *Subject line:* “Numbered Letters Exposure Draft”
* *View the draft:* Selected Numbered Letters [ [link removed] ]

*Questions?*

Contact the Local Audit and Finance Division at *517-335-7469*.

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State Tax Commission
State Tax Commission Approves Key Bulletins on August 19

The State Tax Commission (STC) on August 19 approved four important bulletins that provide updates on assessor certification, interest rates, and business qualification procedures. These bulletins are now available on the STC’s website [ [link removed] ].

Bulletin 6 of 2025 – Random Week for “Qualified Business” [ [link removed] ]
This bulletin announces the randomly selected week used to determine eligibility for certain tax exemptions under the “Qualified Business” designation. Local units and assessors should refer to the bulletin for the specific week selected and guidance on applying this information in assessments.

Bulletin 7 of 2025 – Assessor Certification Requirements to Recertify for 2027 [ [link removed] ]
To recertify for 2027, Michigan Certified Assessing Office (MCAO), Michigan Advanced Assessing Officer (MAAO) and Michigan Master Assessing Officer (MMAO) certified assessors must complete 16 hours of continuing education between November 1, 2025, and October 31, 2026. A maximum of 8 of these hours may be completed through approved online courses, either via the STC Online Education Portal or an STC-approved external provider.

In addition to the 16 hours, assessing officers must complete the 2026 STC Updates course, which is available both in person and online.

Individuals holding a Michigan Certified Assessing Technician (MCAT) certification must complete either 4 hours of continuing education or the 2026 STC Updates course during the same period. These hours can be fulfilled through any STC-approved course, excluding the “Learning the HP 12C Calculator” course.

The recertification fee deadline for all certification levels is December 31, 2026. If payment is not received by that date, a delinquency notice will be issued. Late payments will be accepted through January 31, 2027, after which the matter will be referred to the Assessor Discipline Advisory Committee.

A list of approved continuing education courses for the 2027 renewal cycle will be available after September on the Commission’s website. Courses must be approved using Form 4738 and must be at least two hours in length.

Bulletin 8 of 2025 – Assessor Certification Level Requirements for 2027 [ [link removed] ]
This bulletin outlines the certification level requirements for assessors for the 2027 renewal cycle. Assessors should review the bulletin in detail to ensure they meet the necessary qualifications and deadlines.

Bulletin 9 of 2025 – 2nd Quarter Certified Interest Rates [ [link removed] ]
This bulletin provides the certified interest rates for the second quarter of 2025. These rates are used in various property tax and assessment contexts, including delinquent tax interest and refund interest calculations. Local units should update their systems accordingly.

All bulletins are available at www.michigan.gov/statetaxcommission [ [link removed] ].

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Home Heating Credit

Legislative Snapshot: Treasury Pushes for Legislative Technical Fix to Home Heating Credit State Law

The Michigan Legislature recently passed two separate bills aimed at helping residents afford home heating costs during the state’s colder months by making a simple technical fix.

On August 13, Senate Bill 435 [ [link removed] ]—sponsored by state Senate Majority Floor Leader Sam Singh (D-East Lansing)—passed the Michigan State Senate. On August 19, House Bill 4543 [ [link removed] ]—sponsored by state Rep. Bill Schuette (R-Midland)—passed the Michigan House of Representatives.

Both bills update state law to reflect federal changes to a key inflation metric used when determining the Home Heating Tax Credit. The new language would use an energy-based component of the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) instead of the discontinued urban Detroit CPI for fuels and other utilities when calculating the Home Heating Credit limit for heating costs.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is reworking how CPI data is provided, prompting language changes in state law to continue inflation indexing. If no change is made by the Michigan Legislature, future Home Heating Credit payments will no longer be adjusted for inflation and lose their value over time.

"As everyday costs continue to rise and Michiganders increasingly feel the stress of trying to make ends meet, we need to make sure our seniors and families around the state have a strong safety net to rely on," Singh said in a press release. “For the hundreds of thousands of Michigan households who depend on the Home Heating Credit to keep warm in the wintertime — this legislation is a no-brainer. By making this necessary change to account for upward inflation, we can ensure our folks who are facing financial challenges can continue to access the resources they need now and into the future.”

The Michigan Home Heating Credit reduces or lowers energy bills for approximately 250,000 households across the state by reimbursing them for heating costs. The credit is administered by the Michigan Department of Treasury and includes an annual inflation adjustment for the maximum allowable credit amount.

Last year, the average qualifying household received $180 in assistance, which is most often applied directly to residents’ utility bills. Some energy providers automatically provide claimants with a residential income assistance credit worth up to $20 monthly.

“Michigan winters can be extremely harsh, and the cost of heating our homes continues to rise,” Schuette said in a news release. “This credit provides needed relief to low-income Michiganders we all represent to help them cover that cost. This bill takes note of recent changes in how this relief is calculated and ensures its protection going forward.”

Treasury officials have recommended the adoption of the U.S. CPI for household energy, which closely aligns with the intent of the current law and ensures the continued effectiveness of the Home Heating Credit.

This legislation now requires one of the bills to be passed by the other chamber.

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Fostering Futures
You're Invited: The Fostering Futures Scholarship Detroit Gala

For 13 years, the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund has been helping youth who have experienced foster care achieve their dreams of a college education. Join us September 12 for this Detroit fundraising gala and help make a difference in the lives of these young adults.

Enjoy dinner, meet scholarship recipients, and network with others who share the desire to make higher education a reality for hundreds of Michigan youth. All proceeds from reservations, sponsorships and raffle items are awarded as scholarships to former foster youth currently enrolled at Michigan colleges and universities.

Your $100 donation is tax deductible. The Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund, housed in the Michigan Department of Treasury, is a Section 170(c) nonprofit organization.

Learn more or make a donation at www.michigan.gov/fosteringfutures [ [link removed] ].

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