CRYSTAL LAKE TOWNSHIP IN BENZIE COUNTY MICHIGAN
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Roles & Responsibilities

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In Michigan, if you don't live in a village or a city, then you live in a township. Have you ever wondered what the township government (your basic and most local form of government) does for you?  Here’s a quick civics lesson: ​

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​Township government legally exists primarily to perform three overarching mandated functions assigned respectively to the Clerk, the Supervisor, and the Treasurer:
  • elections  
  • property assessment
  • taxes​ collection

There are other, more narrow mandates which are also regulated by the state:
  • financial administration including budgets
  • accounting, investment
  • deposits
  • proper storage/conveyance of township records
  • proper conduct of township government business

We are legally allowed to offer additional services and programs not mandated by the state but permitted by enabling legislation, referred to as “permissive activities.” Examples in Crystal Lake Township are:
  • fire protection
  • cemeteries
  • airport authority
  • planning and zoning
  • library services
Historically, if a specific statute cannot be found that explicitly states or fairly implies that a particular task is a particular office’s responsibility, it is assumed that the duty falls on the Board collectively, or can be accepted by a specific Board member.
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  • Click here for MTA's Core Competencies List for all four board positions: clerk, treasurer, supervisor and trustee.

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Statutory Duties for the
5 elected Board Members

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Clerk:
  • Keeps voter registration file and conducts elections
  • Maintains general ledger (financial "books") and
         prepares financial statements
  • Prepares warrants for township checks
  • Maintains custody of all records
  • Records, publishes and maintains meeting minutes
  • Keeps ordinance book
  • Keeps the book of oaths
  • Responsible for special meeting notices ​
  • Delivers tax certificates to supervisor and county clerk by Sept 30
  • Must appoint a deputy
  • Must post a surety bond​

Treasurer:
  • Collects real and personal property taxes
  • Keeps an account of receipts (revenues) and expenditures
  • Issues checks
  • Deposits revenues in approved depositories
  • Invests funds in approved investment vehicles
  • Collects delinquent personal property tax
  • Responsible for jeopardy assessments in collecting property tax
  • Collects mobile home specific tax
  • Must appoint a deputy
  • Must post a surety bond​

Supervisor:
  • Moderates board and annual meetings
  • Chief assessing officer (if certified)
  • Secretary to Board of Review
  • Township’s legal agent
  • Must maintain records of supervisor’s office​
  • Develops budget
  • Appoints some commission members
  • Member of elections commission
  • May call special meetings
  • May appoint a deputy
  • May administer the oath of office

Trustees:
  • Act as township legislators with same authority as other board offices at board meetings, required to vote on all issues (where there is no conflict of interest)
  • Responsible for township’s fiduciary health (stewardship)

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1651 Frankfort Highway | PO Box 2129 | Frankfort, MI 49635​
Phone: (231) 352-9791 | Fax: (231) 352-6689
© Copyright 2023 Crystal Lake Township
  • HOME
  • Staff
  • Meetings & Minutes
    • Upcoming Meeting Info
    • Meeting Minutes
    • Archived Minutes
  • A - E
    • ADA Compliance
    • Assessment
    • Airport
    • Audits
    • Blight
    • Board of Review
    • Budget & Finances
    • Cemeteries
    • Clean Up Days
    • Elections & Voting
    • Environment
    • Enforcement
  • F - Z
    • Fireworks
    • Fire Protection & Rescue
    • Newsletters
    • Planning
    • Policy & Procedure Manual
    • Records & FOIA
    • Roads
    • Support Services
    • Taxes
    • Volunteering
    • Zoning
    • Zoning Board of Appeals
  • General Township
    • Fun Facts
    • History
    • Maps
    • Roles & Responsibilities
    • Salaries
    • Township Law
  • PAYMENTS
  • Quick Forms
  • Message Us