We support Michigan’s current township government system. Townships should not be required to combine government services they now provide, (e.g. elections, property tax collections, assessor services), with multiple jurisdictions, unless a township chooses to and determines that the township’s residents would be better served by the multiple jurisdiction system for certain services.
We believe:
- Townships or local units of government should not be permitted to enact regulations affecting agriculture that are stricter than existing state and federal regulations.
- Local government should look for increased efficiencies through consolidation of services and streamlining regulations.
- Secondary use of agricultural property, including buildings, that does not conflict or substantially change the nature of the farm business should be allowed.
We encourage:
- Standardized residence address signs to be readily visible at the driveway entrance to facilitate emergency response.
- Standardized signage be developed for facilities with alternate power sources for the protection of emergency personnel.
- Emergency response procedures to allow cooperation between local governments.
- Local government officials to fully consider the long-term fiscal implications and yearly operating costs to any public acquisition.
- Local units of governments making their audited financial statements available not more than one year after the close of the fiscal year, without requiring a Freedom of Information Act request. The financial statements should be made available through print or electronically.
- Local governments to take advantage of electronic mediums when possible and practical. The importance of continuing the conspicuous posting of notices in several locations and, in some areas non-electronic publishing, cannot be discounted.
- Continued emphasis on state revenue-sharing payments to local units of government.