Get to Know
Your City
Ever wonder who keeps your city running behind the scenes?
From the laws that guide your local government to the departments that shape your everyday experience, it’s all rooted in one key document: the city charter!
Dive in and discover how East Lansing works, who’s doing the work, and why it matters to you.
City Charter
What is it?
How is it changed?
Why should you care?
A city charter is a document laying out organization and structure of city government. It is similar to a constitution and establishes the powers of elected officials.
A city charter can be amended by a vote of the city council.
A city charter is the foundation of a local government. They are usually approved by the state legislature and provide the rules and structure of local governments. A city charter helps you understand what is legal and what is illegal for city officials to do.
City Departments
City Clerk
The City Clerk is responsible for the administration of elections in East Lansing. The City Clerk is also responsible for keeping the city official documents and coordinating Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
Click here to learn more about elections in East Lansing.
Assessing Department
The Assessing Department is responsible for the taxation of property within the city.
Human Resources
A Human Resources Department in a city is responsible for taking care of city employees. This involves interviews, employee training, labor relations, employee compensation and more.
Parks, Recreation, and Arts
A Parks and Recreation Department organizes and operates public parks, nature preserves, greenspace, etc. in a city. They also provide resources for entertainment, leisure, and recreational pursuits.
Information Technology
An Information Technology department operates information technology systems.
Communications Department
The East Lansing Communications Department provides information to people and advertises community events. It also manages the city's website, social media, internal communication services, graphic design, print publications, e-newsletters, news releases, and photography.
Planning, Building, and Development
The Planning, Building, and Development Department oversees urban planning and development, building permits and inspections, and does other actions related to city development.
Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
What is it?
Why should you care?
Recent Developments
The DEI department promotes and coordinates diversity in East Lansing.
The existence of diversity, equity, and inclusion(DEI) programs has been a divisive topic, especially recent with the current presidential administration. The current presidential administration believes DEI programs are unnecessary and contribute to inequality. Advocates of DEI argue that they ensure inclusive environments and help to fight discrimination against marginalized groups. The Trump Administration has issued a series of executive orders which attempt to dismantle DEI programs. As of right now, the East Lansing Department of DEI could potentially undergo rapid change due to these acts.
Recently, the current presidential administration is attempting to end DEI programs nationally. The director of East Lansing’s Department of DEI, Elaine Hardy, has promised to continue DEI efforts and work despite resistance from the federal government. Elaine Hardy stated that she is still committed to providing a community where everybody feels as though they are valued. East Lansing City Manager Robert Belleman also supports continuing the city’s DEI efforts, which, according to him, means being inclusive to all groups of people, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Click here to learn more.
