Being a Trustee
Along with four trustees, the administrative officers (Supervisor, Clerk, and Treasurer) comprise the Township's Board of Trustees.
A Township Trustee's statutory duties are limited to:
- township legislators, required to vote on all issues
- responsible for township's fiduciary health
- watch for emerging issues
- other duties as assigned by the Township Board
According to the Michigan Townships Association, townships govern the 96% of Michigan’s land area outside of cities.
Some government functions are shared in a coordinated manner between counties and local governments. For example, counties perform parts of the property tax assessing, tax collection, and election functions; while townships carry out other aspects of these functions. This division of responsibilities provides a system of checks and balances.
State laws authorize townships to perform a wide variety of functions. Townships are required to perform tax assessment administration, tax collection, and elections administration. Townships may choose to perform numerous governmental functions, including enacting and enforcing ordinances, planning and zoning, fire and police protection, cemeteries, parks and recreation facilities and programs, and many more.
Most would agree state government has not demonstrated that, in all matters, it has earned our complete trust. Local governments, such as townships, serve as checks and balances against an over-reaching state government. Oscoda Township serves to keep the state from excessively interfering in matters that are strictly local in nature.