As a Township resident, you have a lot of direct voting power when it comes to the Annual Township Meeting.

Unlike voting for a local, state or national representative, voting at the annual town meeting means you have a direct say in the annual tax levy, donations, and other township decisions. Some important decisions made by Sylvan Township residents in the past have included: Approving construction of a new Town Hall, approving the paving of many Township roads, and moving Township elections from March to November.

At the Annual Meeting, the Board does not run the meeting. It is opened by the Town Clerk and then chaired by a Moderator, chosen from the voters attending. Budgets, developed after consideration by the Board, are presented for Township residents to vote on. This sets the levy for the following year. Townspeople can also make motions to donate Township money, but there are statutory restrictions on those donations. For example, money can be donated to a historical society or county fair, but not to charity organizations or local service organizations.

Sylvan Township has the highest population of any city or township in Cass County. But we are still a rural township, with all the advantages that Township government allows. If you’ve never been to an Annual Meeting, or haven’t missed one, join us for some grassroots government.

~ Chairman Booth

If you would like to add something to the agenda, please let Clerk Ruggles know asap.