The United County Officers Association (UCOA) recently held its Annual Legislative Conference at the Crown Plaza Convention Center in Lansing. County Registers, Clerks, Treasurers, and Surveyors representing 43 of Michigan’s 83 counties were in attendance for the three-day annual legislative conference.
Some of the topics presented were: Elder Law by Ron Tatro; New FOIA requirements and Open Meetings Act by Bonnie Toskey of Cohl, Stolker & Toskey, P.C.; an update by the Michigan Registered Land Surveyors about new recording requirements on Remonumentation and recording Land Corner Recordation Certificates by Jim Granger; Technology update on the role of e-recording in the 21st century by Michelle Wilsey; and a legislative update from Bill Zaagman. State Legislators were invited to the conference for county officials to share how legislation impacts citizens served by county government.
The 2015 UCOA Officers were installed at the conference for a 2 year term. They are President Tim Snow, Kalamazoo Register/Clerk; First Vice President Karen Hahn- Mecosta Register; 2nd Vice President Michelle Stevenson- Roscommon Register/Clerk; Treasurer Karen Jackson-Isabella Register; Secretary Terry Kubasiak-Branch County Clerk; and Immediate Past President Sheila Gowell-Oceana Treasurer. Michele Cooke, Emmet County Register of Deeds, was appointed Legislative Chairperson.
Recipients of the Certified County Officer Award were recognized: JoAnn DeGraaf-Kalkaska Register, Karen Hahn-Mecosta Register, Deborah Hill-Kalkaska Clerk, Sandra Moore-Crawford Register/Clerk, Michele Stine Cooke-Emmet Register, and Kathy Haiker-Ottawa Deputy Register. To achieve this certification, county officers must perform a rigorous study program of 100 hours. Cooke is also enrolled in the National Certification Program.
The conference was completed with a Round Table Discussion regarding best practices and challenges facing Michigan counties today.
Pictured with Cooke (far right) are Sandy Moore, Crawford County; Deborah Hill, Kalkaska Clerk; JoAnn DeGraaf-Kalkaska Register, and Karen Hahn-Mecosta Register.
