Village of Crystal Lake

Stats

Basic: The Village is 11% of the total Township area
The Village has 57.6% of the total Township taxable value as of 2006 board of review.

Roads
7.2miles of class "major" roads.
7miles of class "minor" roads.
14.2miles total

Population

 SEV Property Values (from Montcalm County Equalization Department)

Taxable Property Values (from Montcalm County Equalization Department)

Current Township Taxes (From State Boundary Commission's Facts and Findings Docket 04-I-1)

The unit millage of the Township is:

                  2007:  2.8667   (.7503 General Fund, 1.2mills Police, .9273 fire)
                  2006:  .7503     (general fund)
                  2005:  1.6984   (.7596 general fund and .9388 fire equipment) 
                  2004:  3.1278   (police, fire, and general fund)
                  2003:  3.2039   (police, fire, and general fund)

FAQ list (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. How much Money will the Township lose?
• Zero, $0.00
• Technically the Township does lose the Constitutional revenue sharing that the Village receives. However, The Statutory revenue sharing makes up the loss.
• Here is Link to Act 141.913 http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(rqw0iv55olvylhze33eakl55)/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-141-913
Excerpt from that Act...
For the 2005-2006 state fiscal year only, the total combined distribution under this subsection and section 10 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963 shall be the lesser of 100%, or the percentage determined under this subsection, of the total combined distribution under this subsection and section 10 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963 for the 2004-2005 state fiscal year. For the 2005-2006 state fiscal year
Note: The same language is proposed and is expected to pass for 2006-2007
Supporting facts and history:  The Village of Lake Isabella incorporated in 1998. However, If you look at difference between 1998 and 1999 you will see the Statutory made up the difference in Constitutional revenue.
See below in 1998 Broomfield TWP received $75,061 + $6,228 = $81,289
https://treas-secure.state.mi.us/apps/RevShareReport.asp?countyNumber=37&localUnitNumber=1010&paymentYear=1998&SUBMIT1=++Go++
See below in 1999 after Incorporation Broomfield TWP received $$68,357 +  $12,932 = $81,289
https://treas-secure.state.mi.us/apps/RevShareReport.asp?countyNumber=37&localUnitNumber=1010&paymentYear=1999&SUBMIT1=++Go++

2. How much State Revenue Sharing will the Village receive from the State?
 • Michigan State Revenue manager calculated that if we had a Village in 2006 we would have received $68.6619/person x 1380 = $94,753.42

3. How much money will the Village receive from the state to improve and maintain roads?
 • Act51 Revenue The Village of Crystal Lake will receive from the state is $144,862.80
 • According to Randy Stearns, Manager of  the Montcalm County Road Commission from MTF Michigan Transportation Fund. 
        County receives $2138.27 per mile x 7miles = $14,967.89 for Minor roads. 
        County receives $8517.70 per mile x 7.2miles = $61,327.44 for Major roads. 
        County receives a total of $76,295.33 for the Village area only..
 • The Village receives $68,567.47 more than the County Road Commission receives to maintain the Village area.
 • Calc: Act51 revenue calculation Note: Use population of 1380 for and 7.2miles of Major, 7.0 miles or Minor road calculations. No trunk lines exist.
 • Note: A maximum of 10% or $14,486.28 of Act51 money is allowed for administrative purposes such as salaries.

4. Financially can the "Village of Crystal Lake" bring more money to the area?
 • YES, additional $94,753.42 in State Revenue Sharing (see above).
 • $144,862.80 in Act51 Revenue (see above)
 • Total of $239,616.22

5. Can we run a Village on $239,616.22 annual without additional taxes?
• YES, The entire Township runs today on  $199,266 Revenue Sharing available here... https://treas-secure.state.mi.us/apps/RevShareReport.asp?countyNumber=59&localUnitNumber=1050&paymentYear=2007&SUBMIT1=++Go++

6. Very few states still have Township government, will Michigan be next to eliminate them, if yes, what would happen?
• Today, the probability is consider low, but if eliminated you would not have local services or representation. Everything would fall back to the County level. The county would receive all the Townships revenue and be able to utilize the economies of scale to improve its services.
• Note: Be careful not to confuse "Townships" with "Charter Townships", they are incorporated like a Village.
• A Google search on "abolish township" will result in +216,000 hits on the subject. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&rls=GGLR%2CGGLR%3A2006-31%2CGGLR%3Aen&q=abolish+%2B+township

7. Where will the Village office be located?
• The Village would require very little office space and would likely rent existing space at a minimal cost.
• Some of the suggested locations are the former Chamber of Commerce office space located at the rear of the Post office building. 

8. How will forming the “Village of Crystal Lake” benefit the balance of the Township?
• The Township would concentrate on services that the entire Township desires. The Village would concentrate on services that only the Village desires.
• Township will not be fiscally responsible for Village initiatives.
• Township money goes to Township needs.
• Township will have the same amount of revenue and not have to service the Village area thus providing more financial recourses to the Township.
• Residents of the Village will continue to pay Township taxes and receive services from the Township.

9. Where are the Village boundaries?
• 4.18 square miles including all of Crystal Lake, Swan Lake but will not include Duck Lake or Loon Lake. 

10. What will be our Village population?
• 1,380 residents or 48% of the Township population plus a large number of non-resident high-taxing paying property owners.
*Numbers according to the 2000 census. 

11. What is the current population of the entire township of Crystal?
• 3080 *according to the 2000 census.

12. The Village will have what type of government?
• As provided by Michigan law we will have a “Home Rule Village” - an elected Village Council. The Village could opt to hire a Village Manager.
• Please do not compare our "Home Rule" Village with any "General Law" village which does not receive revenue sharing..

13. Will incorporation require additional tax revenue and why?
• Probably not.  The charter the voters adopt will require a vote of the people to raise ANY additional funds for additional services requested.
• If the Township can operate today, the Village can operate tomorrow, and with more money, A Village receives 1.5units of state revenue sharing vs. the Township only at 1unit. A Village also receives approximately $69,000 additional funds for roads than the county currently receives.

14. How much would 1 mill cost me?
• For a $100,000 house it would be $4.17 a month
Note: a $100,000 house = $50,000 SEV or approximately 1/2 of market value.
Note: 1mill = $1 per $1000 of SEV
Note: $50,000 SEV = $100,000 property value .

15. How is fire and protection affected?
• No change!
• Township service, Village residents still reside within the Township.
• The Fire mills are currently at 1 mill for equipment only.

16. How is police protection affected?
• No change!
• Township service, Village residents still reside within the Township.
• The Police mills are currently at 1.5 mills.

17. If I’m in the Village how does it affect my ability to vote on Township issues and items?
• The Village is within the Township and residents still have full voting privileges for Township issues.
• You will also have new Village voting privileges- we can vote and have an impact on issues effect only the Village area.

18. If I’m outside the proposed Village will it effect my ability to vote on Township issues and items?
• No change.

19. As a non-resident property owner how will this affect me?
• Same as for the Township- voters can only be registered to vote in one location.
• Since the Village has a smaller area to respond to. The Village would be more responsive to the needs of the smaller, easier to manage local area and adequately represent your vested interest.
• If the majority of the people request future services, (example: water) its possible to use special assessment instead of raising taxes. This process has mandated hearings in which every property owner can have a voice and have a say. This process can only be used for Capital improvements or Police protection.

20. Will there be a new Tax Assessor?
• No, Assessing is handled by the the Township.
• A Village could hold the Township accountable to bid out tax assessing services and closely monitor expenses.
• A Village could hold the Township's Assessor directly accountable for his/her actions.

21. What happens with the existing Sewer District?
• No change.
• Sewer District is mostly within the Village boundaries, excluding the Duck Lake Project and the treatment lagoons
• Note: It is possible for the County Drain Commissioner to appoint the Village board as sewer board then all board members would reside within the sewer district as there is only one board member today who resides within the sewer district.

22. How will the creation of the Village affect zoning?
• Presently, Crystal Township has no zoning due to lake of implementation by the Township.
• Zoning doesn't appear to be desired much in our area from a public point of view.
• In the future, should zoning be desired, the Village could implement proper, simple, useful zoning to protect your property.

23. How will the “Village of Crystal Lake” effect mail delivery?
• The ZIP code will remain the same and you would have the option of using “Crystal” or “Crystal Lake”-citizens can decide on the name.

24. How does the Village affect use of the Township cemetery?
• No change.
• Township service, Village residents still reside within the Township.

25. How will a Village effect hunting if hunting land is within the Village boundaries?
• No change. However, Michigan DNR rules still apply and appear adequate.
• A vast amount of land around the outside edges of the Village area is huntable and there for would need to remain so.

26. Will a Village have special assessments?
•  It could, Before a Village can use a special assessment district it must adopt an ordinance. That ordinance could have the requirement of "51% of property owners must agree prior to forming a district". A district could be as small as one parcel.
•  It is a tool available to allow residents to collectively accomplish goals without effecting others. However, since we don't have much vacant land its not quite as advantageous.
•  Special assessments can be defined in a small area and applies equally to property owners, not just voters.
•  All property owners have a voice in a defined legal hearing process unlike taxes where only voters have a say.
•  Taxes apply to everyone, special assessment can be as small as one property owner.
•  Special assessments can only be used for two items: Police protection and capital improvements. (example: roads)
•  Unlike taxes, someone with vacant land would pay equally as someone with a house. This is good when its equally a benefit to both.
•  Example: Property owners on a dirt road come to the Village and would like to have the road paved. Legal proceedings take place, should they decide to go forward, they can pay their share in one lump sum, or with low interest over many, many years making it very affordable.

Concerns from the community...
The Township will lose a lot of revenue.
• Not true. The township doesn't lose any revenue sharing.

My taxes are going to go up!
• Not true. No tax increase is planned. In fact, a Village receives 1.5units of revenue sharing vs. 1unit a township receives.
• No tax increase can happen without a vote of the residents..
• The Village of Lake Isabella is at less than  1mill. That is much less than us and they also have a full time Village Manager. Its possible that we actually pay less taxes.
• The community has spoken and would like not to increase any taxes.

The Village won't be able to make it without increasing taxes!
• Not true, The Township survives today, the Village will survive tomorrow especially with additional funds from the state revenue sharing.
• Just north of us, the 3year old newest Village in Michigan, Lake Isabella is doing very well on <1mill and even hired a full time Village Manager.
• Also, a Village receives 1.5units of revenue sharing vs. 1unit a township receives giving the village more money to operate on from the word go.

The Village creation group will become the Charter Commission  or the Village Board!
• Not true. The groups efforts have been to meet legal sufficiency. We met that and are now done. The rest is up to the voters to decide.
• Anyone who resides within the Village limits can run for both the Charter Commission and Village Board.
• If you wish to run for the Charter Commission please email or call us and we can help you with a petition.

Its just another layer of government!
• Not true. The Village replaces the part of government services once handled by the Township.

It will divide the Township!
• If you look at all the recalls in the past few years alone. The Township today is already divided.
• Our current Township clerk as already been recalled once.
• Our current Township supervisor was appointed due to the former supervisor being recalled. And he received the least amount of votes of 3 in the last election.
• In the past weeks there have been several letters to the local paper recommending a Township recall.
• 11% of the area has 57.6% of the entire Township taxable value.
• The Township has 78 people per square mile, the Village has 330 people per square mile. The needs of the population are simply different.
• We consist of  2 population densities 78 per sq mi Township, 470 per sq mi Village and they have different needs. The Township works hard but simply can't please both sides.

There are too many people against having a Village to ever be voted in!
• Not true, Very few people are against it as there are 797 Voters, but what are those  few against? The idea? Without a Charter we don't truly know what the Village can or can't do for us.
• We need to see the Charter before we decide. We should get to vote on the Charter.
• Everyone has an opinion, be sure to decide what is best for you, your family and your future after you have all the facts.
• After you look at the facts of Village Incorporation it will be very clear what is better for the future of our community.

The Township won't be able to afford to maintain the many parks!
• Not true, the Township will have the same revenue to service less area. Township services should improve.

Questions from the community...
What happens to the Duck Lake sewer system?
• No change,. Sewer system is a separate entity. The Township board is the sewer district board.. See above.

Do Duck Lake and Loon Lake now have to form a Village or what have you to get zoning or is this done with the Township?
• No change, Remains Township unless a Village of Duck Lake is formed.

Will Duck Lake continued be governed by the Township
• No change, is and will remain as Township area.

Who are the State of Michigan Boundary Commissioners?
• Click on State of Michigan Boundary commissioners.

What is the annexation procedure?
• Click on State of Michigan Boundary annexation document  Note: This is an Adobe Acrobat File.

Please email us with any questions not answered on this list... Chances are someone else 
will have the same question.

We will continue to add to this list, check back often.

This page was update on 11/11/2006