Measure unanimously approved by Michigan Senate

A bill offered by state Rep. Bradley Slagh, of Zeeland, that will help townships serve their residents more effectively when collecting tax payments was advanced in a vote by the Michigan Senate this week.

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.

“I’m pleased this bill is headed to the governor because it emphasizes good customer service for our taxpayers,” said Slagh, who served as Ottawa County treasurer from 2007-18. “If only one person at an office can take a payment and that person isn’t there, it’s inconvenient for residents when they come in. They simply aren’t able to properly use services their tax dollars support. We need flexibility for our communities and we can update existing law to legalize what is likely already occurring when people are away from these offices due to illness or emergency.”

HB 4209 advances to the governor for review.