Read the February 2019 Township Focus
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
TownshipMichigan FocusFEBRUARY 2019 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MICHIGAN TOWNSHIPS ASSOCIATION Assessing reforms to require better accountability, more resources Legislature, governor 2018 public acts Remembering show ‘lame duck’ impacting George H.W. Bush’s restraint townships time in Grosse Ile page 3 page 14 Township page 34 You Serve Others. We Serve You. Since 1966, Burnham & Flower Insurance Group has been specializing in the unique coverage needs of Michigan’s townships. We’ve learned what is important to public officials like yourself and have made it our ongoing commitment to provide you with unparalleled service and expertise. Burnham & Flower is your single source for Property & Liability, Group Health Benefits, and Group & Individual Retirement Planning. In addition to comprehensive coverages we provide risk management services, onsite reviews, online enrollment, 24/7 access to each employee’s benefits information, and Burnham&Flower much more. INSURANCE GROUP You can count on us to deliver the Serving Michigan Townships Since 1966 products, service and support you want Scholarship and deserve. Contact us today to discuss Sponsor how we can serve you! 315 South Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 800.748.0554 • www.bfgroup.com FEBRUARY 2019 TownshipMichigan Focus OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MICHIGAN TOWNSHIPS ASSOCIATION Assessing reforms to require better accountability, more resources cFebruaryo 2019 | ntents Volume 7, Number 2 Remembering 2018 public acts Legislature, governor George H.W. Bush’s impacting time in Grosse Ile show ‘lame duck’ townships restraint Township page 3 page 14 page 34 Official Publication of the Michigan Townships Association mta officers 12 President Ken Gauthier, Supervisor Sanborn Township (Alpena Co.) First Vice President Jeff Sorensen, Supervisor Cooper Charter Township You Serve Others. (Kalamazoo Co.) Second Vice President Peter Kleiman, Supervisor 20 Harris Township (Menominee Co.) We Serve You. Treasurer Bill Deater, Supervisor Grant Township (St. Clair Co.) Since 1966, Burnham & Flower Insurance featured articles 34 Secretary Group has been specializing in the unique Pauline Bennett, Clerk Addison Township (Oakland Co.) coverage needs of Michigan’s townships. Immediate Past President Assessing reforms to require better accountability, Diane Randall, Supervisor We’ve learned what is important to public 20 Roscommon Township (Roscommon Co.) officials like yourself and have made it our more resources Public Act 660 of 2018—the new assessing reform law—ranks among the past presidents ongoing commitment to provide you with most significant statutory changes to a key township function occurring Doug Mansfield, Supervisor Union Township in the past 50 years. Township officials should prepare now, including (Grand Traverse Co.) unparalleled service and expertise. taking an introspective look at their community’s assessing system, to ensure compliance with the new guidelines and requirements. Linda Preston, Supervisor Burnham & Flower is your single source Pokagon Township (Cass Co.) Doug Merchant, Supervisor for Property & Liability, Group Health Arcada Township (Gratiot Co.) Benefits, and Group & Individual 34 ‘Part of our history’: Remembering editorial & design Publisher G. Lawrence Merrill Retirement Planning. In addition to George H.W. Bush’s time in Grosse Ile Township Editor Jennifer Fiedler As the nation mourned the death of our 41st president in late 2018, Advertising Manager Ashley Maher comprehensive coverages we provide risk Staff Writer Bethany Mauger the passing of George H.W. Bush felt more personal to one southeast Printer Foresight Group, Lansing management services, onsite reviews, Michigan township where Bush spent time serving at a Naval Air Station during World War II. mission statement online enrollment, 24/7 access to each The Michigan Townships Association advances local democracy by fostering employee’s benefits information, and Burnham&Flower township leadership and public policy essential for a strong and vibrant much more. INSURANCE GROUP in this issue Michigan. You can count on us to deliver the Serving Michigan Townships Since 1966 3 Local View 30 Knowledge Center products, service and support you want 4 News & Notes 33 Financial Forum and deserve. Contact us today to discuss 10 Hello, MTA ... ? 36 Around the State how we can serve you! 315 South Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 12 Inside Lansing 800.748.0554 • www.bfgroup.com township focus | FEBRUARY 2019 1 mta board of directors Steven Karpiak Jr., Osceola Township (Houghton Co.), Dist. 1 Jim Nankervis, Ishpeming Township (Marquette Co.), Dist. 2 Peter Kleiman, Harris Township (Menominee Co.), Dist. 3 profile Marilyn Strickland, Newton Township (Mackinac Co.), Dist. 4 allied service provider index Harold Koviak, Burt Township (Cheboygan Co.), Dist. 5 Michigan Township Participating Plan Sharon Schultz, Torch Lake Township (Antrim Co.), Dist. 6 page 6 Ken Lobert, Ossineke Township (Alpena Co.), Dist. 7 Marvin Radtke Jr., Green Lake Township (Grand Traverse Co.), Dist. 8 president’s round table Steven Ebels, Clam Union Township (Missaukee Co.), Dist. 9 Burnham & Flower Municipal Employees’ Michigan Township Kimberly Anderson, Whitney Township (Arenac Co.), Dist. 10 Insurance Group Retirement System Participating Plan Connie Cargill, Golden Township (Oceana Co.), Dist. 11 315 S. Kalamazoo Mall of Michigan 1700 Opdyke Ct. MTA Executive Committee member-at-large Kalamazoo, MI 49007 1134 Municipal Way Auburn Hills, MI 48326 Yulanda Bellingar, Morton Township (Mecosta Co.), Dist. 12 (800) 748-0554 Lansing, MI 48917 (248) 371-3657 Dennis Bragiel, Kawkawlin Township (Bay Co.), Dist. 13 www.bfgroup.com (517) 703-9030 www.theparplan.com Lawrence Krohn, Oliver Township (Huron Co.), Dist. 14 See ad on inside front www.mersofmich.com See ad on back cover. Josh Westgate, Wright Township (Ottawa Co.), Dist. 15 cover. See ad on page 5. Kevin Beeson, Pine River Township (Gratiot Co.), Dist. 16 Joanne Boehler, James Township (Saginaw Co.), Dist. 17 Bill Deater, Grant Township (St. Clair Co.), Dist. 18 Jeff Sorensen, Cooper Charter Township (Kalamazoo Co.), Dist. 19 leadership circle Patti Jo Schafer, Eagle Township (Clinton Co.), Dist. 20 Pauline Bennett, Addison Township (Oakland Co.), Dist. 21 Asphalt Materials Inc. Consumers Energy Foster, Swift, Collins Mika Meyers PLC 940 N. Winn Rd. 2400 Weiss St. 900 Monroe Ave. NW Malinda Cole-Crocker, Buchanan Township (Berrien Co.), Dist. 22 & Smith, PC Oregon, OH 43616 Saginaw, MI 48602 313 S. Washington Sq. Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Donald Rogers, Coldwater Township (Branch Co.), Dist. 23 (614) 634-6024 (989) 791-5608 Lansing, MI 48933-2193 (616) 632-8000 Al Boggs, Rome Township (Lenawee Co.), Dist. 24 www.asphalt-materials.com www.consumers (517) 371-8100 www.mikameyers.com Ann Bollin, Brighton Charter Township (Livingston Co.), Dist. 25 energy.com www.fosterswift.com See ad on page 29. Bauckham, Sparks, To find your MTA District, visit www.michigantownships.org Thall, Seeber & DTE Energy ITC Holdings Corp. Ted Hartleb Agency, or call (517) 321-6467. & Kaufman, PC One Energy Plaza 27175 Energy Way An EMC Insurance 458 W. South St. Detroit, MI 48226 Novi, MI 48377 Company Partner Kalamazoo, MI 49007 (800) 477-4747 (248) 946-3000 5840 King Hwy. postal requirements (269) 382-4500 www.dteenergy.com www.itc-holdings.com Kalamazoo, MI 49048 Michigan Township Focus serves as the medium for the exchange www.michigan (269) 385-5911 of ideas and information for the elected and appointed officials townshiplaw.com Fahey Schultz Burzych Rosati, Schultz, Joppich www.hartlebagency.com of Michigan townships. The views expressed and the material Rhodes PLC & Amtsbuechler, PC presented by the contributors and advertisers are not to be BS&A Software 4151 Okemos Rd. 27555 Executive Drive, Willis Towers Watson construed as having the endorsement of the officers, board 14965 Abbey Lane Okemos, MI 48864 Ste. 250 26555 Evergreen Rd., of directors, staff or membership of the Michigan Townships Bath Township, MI 48808 (517) 381-0100 Farmington, MI 48331 Ste. 1600 Association nor represent the views or positions of said parties (517) 641-8900 www.fsblawyers.com (248) 489-4100 Southfield, MI 48076 unless specifically so stated. www.bsasoftware.com www.jrsjlaw.com (248) 936-7387 See ad on page 5. See ads on www.willistowers Michigan Township Focus, Issue 2 February 2019 (ISSN 2330- pages 11 and 35. watson.com 9652), is published monthly, except for a combined April/May issue. MTA membership provides a subscription to township board members, the manager/superintendent, planning commission chairperson and township attorney. Member counties also receive subscriptions for elected officials, the equalization director and road commission chairperson. Annual keystone club membership dues include $33 for a one-year subscription to Carlisle Wortman GFA Miller Canfield Wade Trim Michigan Township Focus. Additional member subscriptions are Associates, Inc. 123 W. Front St. 150 W. Jefferson Ave., 25251 Northline Rd. available for $33 per year. Subscription rate for residents and 117 N. First St. Ste. 70 Traverse City, MI 49684 Ste. 2500 Taylor, MI 48180 firms in member townships is $44 per year (schools and libraries Ann Arbor, MI 48104 (231) 946-5874 Detroit, MI 48226 (734) 947-9700 may subscribe for $33 a year). (734) 662-2200 www.gfa.tc (313) 963-6420 www.wadetrim.com Michigan Township Focus is a publication of the Michigan www.cwaplan.com www.millercanfield.com See ad on page 7. Townships Association, 512