Howard Charter Township Residents to Vote on Dissolving Charter Status in August

CASS COUNTY, Mich. -- Residents of Howard Charter Township in Cass County will decide in August whether to dissolve the township’s charter status after community members gathered enough petition signatures to place the issue on the ballot.

More than 500 residents signed a petition calling for the dissolution vote, which will appear on the Aug. 4 ballot after the township board unanimously approved the language of the resolution during a Tuesday meeting.

Howard Charter Township Supervisor Bill Kasprzak said the township became eligible for charter status three years ago because of its population and tax base.

Michigan is the only state with charter townships, which have broader legal authority than general law townships. Charter townships can prevent annexation attempts by neighboring cities and oversee their own fire and police services.

Kasprzak warned that dissolving the charter status could open the door to annexation by the city of Niles.

“If it’s voted down, it’s going to enable anyone who wants to from the city of Niles to have them annex property,” Kasprzak said. “And I happen to know of two companies right now who would like that to happen.”

Supporters of dissolving the charter township said lower taxes, particularly property taxes, were a major motivation behind the petition effort.

Kasprzak said the township currently levies one mill in property taxes, though it is authorized to levy up to five mills.

“We could very well use the money and make a lot of vast improvements, build a brand-new facility, all that,” Kasprzak said. “We’re not here to waste money.”