Michigan's next city could be in Washtenaw County. Voters in the Village of Dexter decide in November if they approve of a proposed city charter. Don't expect a lot of changes regardless of the outcome of the vote.
That's because the city charter drafted earlier this year keeps essentially the same government structure. Some names change, a mayor instead of a village president for instance, but day to day operations will continue to be handled by a manager.
Courtney Nicholls is the Village Manager. She says some essential services aren't impacted by the proposal either."We contract with the Washtenaw County Sheriff for police services and that would continue and then we also have an area-wide fire department, the Dexter Area Fire Department, and that would continue too, it doesn't change anything," she says.
Nicholls says the biggest difference for residents will be one less tax bill, since they would no longer be residents of either Scio or Webster Township. She says another difference is the city will hold elections instead of voting at the township halls.
When voters go to the polls in November they will vote on the charter, but also both village trustees and city council candidates will be on the ballot in case the change is approved.
Like 89.1 WEMU on Facebook and follow us on Twitter— Andrew Cluley is the Ann Arbor beat reporter, and anchor for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him acluley@emich.edu.
