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Rep. Slagh plan offers townships practicality, flexibility for tax collection
RELEASE|May 22, 2019
Contact: Bradley Slagh

A proposal from Rep. Bradley Slagh helping townships operate in a more effective fashion when collecting tax payments was unanimously approved today by the House Local Government and Municipal Finance Committee.

Current law requires 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.

House Bill 4209 allows a designee in the office to accept payments when a treasurer is not present. The designee must be approved by the township board.

“This bill gives townships some additional opportunities in serving their customers,” said Slagh, who served as Ottawa County treasurer from 2007-18. “Townships are getting bigger and more people are coming by to drop off payments. We need to update our laws to accommodate this. This doesn’t mean elected officials will get to shirk their responsibilities. It merely offers some flexibility for these growing communities and legalizes what is likely an existing, convenient practice when people are away from the office due to illness or an emergency.”

Slagh, of Zeeland, was joined by Allendale Charter Township Deputy Treasurer Tim VanBennekom testifying before the House Local Government and Municipal Finance Committee on May 15. VanBennekom voiced his support for the plan, explaining the need for a process that runs more smoothly and doesn’t fly in the face of current law.

“Because of the plain language in the laws, it’s technically illegal for anyone else to receive tax payments,” VanBennekom said. “That can be concerning for a local official. This bill remedies this issue by allowing a deputy treasurer or another township official to take those tax payments for a resident.”

HB 4209 advances to the House Ways and Means Committee for consideration.

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