The Lapeer County Board of Commissioners voted to pay $14,982.02 in membership dues to the Michigan Association of Counties on Aug. 14, with several commissioners defending the payment as an investment in advocacy and training.

Commissioners described MAC as the county’s primary lobbyist in Lansing, helping to identify bills that could impose costs on counties and offering training, webinars and annual conferences for county officials and staff. Two commissioners said they serve on MAC boards and credited the association with giving county officials early notice of unfavorable proposals and a mechanism to notify state legislators.

One commissioner framed the membership as an effective advocacy channel for local interests in state government; another described membership fees as calculated by a formula that includes population and county budget. Commissioners approved the payment by voice vote.

Public commenters questioned how the dues benefit taxpayers and expressed skepticism about corporate sponsors who attend MAC conferences, but commissioners said the association provides useful services and statewide representation for county governments.