MI HB5547

County drain commissioners or drainage boards may employ an attorney if they consider it necessary, with all attendant expenses and costs charged to the relevant drainage district.

Attorney expenses and costs shall be paid from the drainage district's drain fund or revolving drain fund, or if insufficient funds exist, assessed to the drainage district in the same proportion as drain construction costs under chapter 7.

County boards of commissioners may provide, by resolution, for the prosecuting attorney to give legal assistance to the county drain commissioner as part of the prosecuting attorney's duties.

"Attendant expenses and costs" includes actual attorney fees, expert witness and consultant fees, litigation costs, satisfaction of judgments, and costs to obtain releases or settlements of claims related to drainage district operations.