ElmwoodTownship.com » concerns http://www.elmwoodtownship.com Your Alternative Guide Mon, 17 Aug 2009 01:57:59 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Should the Jobs of Supervisor, Clerk and Treasurer be Part Time? http://www.elmwoodtownship.com/should-the-jobs-of-supervisor-clerk-and-treasurer-be-part-time/ http://www.elmwoodtownship.com/should-the-jobs-of-supervisor-clerk-and-treasurer-be-part-time/#comments Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:33:28 +0000 admin http://www.elmwoodtownship.com/?p=522 I’ve heard this question asked many times.

Apparently, salaries of elected officials can only change at the start of the term.

My opinion is that it if an efficient elected official can get the job done working part-time, the pay and benefits shouldn’t be full-time.

How should Elmwood residents monitor this?  Probably by setting benchmarks.  Also, these positions should be officially reviewed every year.

In the case of the treasurer position, how many sewer and water bills are sent out.  How has this changed over time?  What percentage of a treasurer’s job is made up of these billings?  As computer systems become more efficient, will tax payers see a reduction in taxes?

If statutory responsibilities are met, should this alone qualify the position to be full-time?

Has the elected official made additional contributions above and beyond their statutory responsibilities?

Are the elected officials simply “showing up”?

Local governments nationally and especially in the State of Michigan will be undergoing significant financial stress during this current economic period.

Do our elected officials deserve full-time pay?  I’m asking the question here, because I haven’t figured out the answer yet.

]]> http://www.elmwoodtownship.com/should-the-jobs-of-supervisor-clerk-and-treasurer-be-part-time/feed/ 0 Random Items from the 2009 Budget http://www.elmwoodtownship.com/random-items-from-the-2009-budget/ http://www.elmwoodtownship.com/random-items-from-the-2009-budget/#comments Thu, 18 Dec 2008 02:54:42 +0000 admin http://www.elmwoodtownship.com/?p=505 After taking a quick look at the 2009 Budget, I have come up with some initial questions. If the answers I receive deserve an individual post, I’ll post to the homepage of this site.

Parks:

Repair and Maintenance: $1,000 budget, down from $5,000 2008 actual.
Land Improvements: $8,000 budget, up from $0 2008 actual.
Building Improvements: $25,000 budget, up from $0 2008 actual

Fire Fund:

Workers Comp: $4,700 budget up from $2,000 2008 actual

Sewer Fund:

Utilities: Sewage Treatment – $170,000 budget, up from $125,000 2008 actual

Marina Fund:

Interest Earnings: $14,000 budget, down from $20,000 2008 actual
Operating Supplies: $14,000 budget, up from $10,000 2008 actual
Planning Services: $16,000 budget
Telephones: $3,200 budget, up from $1,000 2007 actual

I’ll work to come up with explanations for each of these items.

]]> http://www.elmwoodtownship.com/random-items-from-the-2009-budget/feed/ 0 My Search for Information http://www.elmwoodtownship.com/my-search-for-information/ http://www.elmwoodtownship.com/my-search-for-information/#comments Mon, 15 Dec 2008 02:53:13 +0000 admin http://www.elmwoodtownship.com/?p=347 I will be seeking official Township documents in early 2009 to post here at ElmwoodTownship.com.

1) Staff and Officials:
biographies
campaign information
email and phone contacts
official responsibilities
personal statements

2)  Full copies of all Township Board and Planning Commision meeting packets.

3) Current Millages

4) Additional Forms
lot splits
site plan review
sign applications

5) Job postings including public service opportunities

6) Other Commissioners  (planning, zoning, parks, etc.)
names
contact information
responsibilities

7) Township services (details)

]]> http://www.elmwoodtownship.com/my-search-for-information/feed/ 1 My attempt to create a more open goverment http://www.elmwoodtownship.com/my-attempt-to-create-a-more-open-goverment/ http://www.elmwoodtownship.com/my-attempt-to-create-a-more-open-goverment/#comments Sat, 13 Dec 2008 22:28:58 +0000 admin http://www.elmwoodtownship.com/?p=396 My main goal with this website is to create a more open government. I want it to be a complete resource for Elmwood residents.

Given I’m creating this site independently, there will be no governmental influence affecting its content.

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