Measure provides locals and their employees with flexibility, practicality

A proposal from state Rep. Bradley Slagh, of Zeeland, helping townships serve their residents more effectively when collecting tax payments this week was signed into law by Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist.

Gilchrist is serving as acting governor while Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is out of the country on a trade mission.

Existing law required township treasurers to remain at a township office at least one day during normal business hours for important cycles on the tax calendar – March 1 and Sept. 14 for instances of summer tax levies and at least one day between Dec. 25-31.

Slagh’s legislation provides a needed and practical update, allowing a designee in the office to accept payments when a treasurer is not present. The designee must be approved by the township board.

Slagh explained that issues arise when township treasurers are unable to go into work on the key dates due to illness or emergency, and the proposal offers convenience while codifying practices that are sometimes implemented anyway.

“I want to thank the lieutenant governor for providing the final stamp of approval on this plan because it allows taxpayers to be served better by institutions their tax dollars are supporting,” said Slagh, who served as Ottawa County treasurer from 2007-18. “We should be providing taxpayers the best service possible for their tax dollar, and this plan offers flexibility for our communities when it comes to taking tax payments.”

House Bill 4209 now becomes Public Act 124 of 2019.

#####