Michigan Townships Deliver Value to Residents and Businesses

Although economic uncertainties and recent concerns about how efficiently government operates often dominate the news, too little is said about local governments, which offer people a choice to live and work in unique communities that best match their values and preferences for taxation, government service levels and regulatory climate.

Did you know that half of all local governments in the United States have 1,0000 or fewer residents?  These smaller governments are well-positioned to respond efficiently to present public budget challenges.  Besides offering greater accountability, decisions made at the local level help keep power in the hands of the people and prevent other layers of government from overreaching into people' liberty and freedom.  In addition, the independence and authority of townships attracts people to actively participate in civic affairs, which in turn benefit the community.

For many decades, townships have been the economic engine of Michigan's prosperity, offering employers lower property tax rates, expeditious regulatory review and action, and large land tracks.  According to figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau following the 2010 Census, townships serve over half of the state's population -52% to be exact.  In addition, township officials govern 96% of the state's land area and protect 58% of Michigan's total property valuation.  However, compared to cities and villages in Michigan, townships receive 82% less total revenue and 66% less property tax revenue.  This means that townships have learned to do more with less-not just recently, but for quite some time.

Date complied by the U.S.Census Bureau, which gathers and breaks down revenues and expenditures by type of local government, show that when compared to Michigan's cities and villages, Michigan townships operate quite efficiently including:

• Spending 80% less for operations, debt and capital outlays.
• Spending 79% less for law enforcement.
• Spending 50% less for fire protection.
• Spending 52% less for tax collections and accounting, and 37% less for other administrative services, including elections.
• Spending 80% less for salaries and wages.  In fact, services are often delivered in small townships by part-time officials and employees receiving nominal salaries, often without benefits.

Providing services that are of value to you in a cost-effective manner is paramount to White Lake Township.  Our goal is to continue to meet 21st century challenges in a way that provides the greatest benefit to our community while upholding the values that embody local control and authority among the citizenry of White Lake Township and its elected officials.