Fewer and fewer local townships appear to be holding their annual spring meeting.
Way back in 1846, the leaders of our fledgling state, set out to provide a framework for governance with township electors, giving them one day a year to have their say.
The meetings were likely among the first thing farmers/ residents tended to as winter receded and spring approached. And in some townships this continues to be true.
Among the eight townships on the peninsula which continue the annual practice is Kasson Township.
“Support for this annual community event is still strong in Kasson Township,” township Supervisor Greg Julian said. “At times attendance is light, but our annual meeting is productive.”
The annual meeting is moderated by the township board. However, it’s the people in attendance, presumably township electors, who are in charge. They are charged with setting salaries for elected officials and supporting the budget for the new budget year that begins April 1. Reports are also frequently given by fire officials and planning commission members Kasson is one of four townships scheduled to host the annual meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday. Annual meetings will be held simultaneously in Centerville, Solon and Empire townships. Glen Arbor Township held its annual meeting Tuesday night. And Leland Township will holds its meeting at 10 a.m., March 30. Initially, scheduled at the Old Art Building, the meeting site has been moved to the Munnecke Room, adjacent the Leland Township Library.
State law also allows townships to do away with the annual practice provided the governmental unit provides adequate public notice. This was done several years ago by Suttons Bay Township.
Elmwood Charter Township is not required to hold an annual meeting. Their budget year runs Jan. 1 through Dec. 31. Bingham Township, which has an July 1 to June 30 budget year, holds its meeting in late June.
Leelanau Township no longer holds an annual meeting. Instead the budget hearing takes place as part of the board’s March regular meeting.
“With the discontinuation of annual meetings in many communities, l have briefly floated the topic here in Kasson over the years and have gotten little or no support for making a change,” Julian said.
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