Public Notices

The Open Meetings Act (OMA) of Michigan requires notice to be given before a meeting is held and requires minutes to be prepared as a record of actions taken at the meeting.  Perhaps most imprtantly, the OMA is the source of requirement that all votes of a public body must be made public.

Lawrence Township complies with the OMA by posting notices of meetings at three locations:  Lawrence Community Services Building (Fire Station), Lawrence Post Office, Lawrence Township Treasurer's office door (located at the Lawrence Village Offices).  In addition, public notices are posted to this website.

ELECTION COMMISSION MEETING

Discussion Topic:    Appoint Election Inspectors for the          November 6, 2018 General Election

Date:              Thursday, October 11, 2018

Time:              6:30 P.M.

Location:         Lawrence Township Community Services Blgd.

                        205 North Paw Paw Street

                                     Lawrence, Michigan    49064      

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Public Accuracy test for the November 6, 2018 Primary Election has been scheduled for October 24, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. in the Lawrence Township Community Services Building (fire station) at 205 North Paw Paw St., Lawrence, Michigan.

The Public Accuracy Test is conducted to determine that the program and the computer being used to tabulate the results of the election counts the votes in the manner prescribed by law.

Kim Thompson

Lawrence Township Clerk

Frequently Asked Questions...

“Why is that wording on the road millage ballot?!”

THE ROAD COMMISSION WANTS YOU TO KNOW . . .

Questions have been raised regarding language on the road millage ballot proposal which states that a portion of the revenue collected will be distributed other government authorities.  The voters want to know WHY?  The ballot language reads as follows:

“The revenue collected will be distributed to the Van Buren County Road Commission and to each city and to each village in the county under a formula as required by law, except that a portion of the revenue collected may be required to be distributed to the Downtown Development Authorities, Tax Increment Financing Authorities, Local Development Financing Authorities and Brownfield Redevelopment Authorities established in Van Buren County, City of South Haven, Bangor City, Gobles City, Hartford City, Keeler Township, Villages of Lawrence, Lawton, Paw Paw and Mattawan.”  (Emphasis supplied).

First, and foremost, the language appears on the ballot because it is required by law.  Voters must be informed as to how the money collected in a countywide millage a distributed.  

Downtown Development Authorities, Tax Increment Financing Authorities, Local Development Financing Authorities and Brownfield Redevelopment Authorities are all methods by which to:

• Develop downtown areas

• Prevent further deterioration of downtown areas

• Solve market failure occurring in downtown areas

• And more . . .

They are created within cities, village and townships to “capture” a portion of property tax revenues in their designated area.  Michigan laws outline how, and for what purpose the collected funds can be used by these authorities.

Because this is a countywide road millage, the collected revenue will also be distributed, as  required by law, to the 11 incorporated cities and villages in the county.  Money that is collected from within the cities and villages in Van Buren County stay within those cities and villages, and those dollars are to be used specifically for road improvements.

The proposed countywide road millage on the ballot for the general election in November provides a real boost to Van Buren County.  By law, this means not only the Van Buren County Road Commission, but also those downtown areas for their needed improvements, and to the cities and village for their streets, bridges and infrastructure.  

The Van Buren County Road Commission invites anyone with additional questions to contact our office at 269-674-8011, or via email at VBCRC@VBCRC.ORG.  It is our hope that by answering questions, and providing information to the constituents of Van Buren County the voters can make an informed vote on November 6th without distraction from naysayers.

VAN BUREN COUNTY ROAD COMMISSION