A drain commissioner is an elected official in county government of the U.S. state of Michigan who is responsible for planning, developing and maintaining surface water drainage systems under Public Act 40 of 1956.
An early bill passed by the Michigan Legislature was a drainage act, which led to the creation of drain commissioners at the township level.
[8] It is the only elected office in Michigan that can directly levy taxes and borrow money without a vote of the people.
In Michigan, a drain may be a natural or artificial creek or ditch, or a massive pipe for carrying storm water.
Drainage districts are public corporations, with legal rights similar to other political subdivisions of state government.