State panel approves revised boundaries for Dexter cityhood
A state panel Wednesday approved boundaries for the proposed city of Dexter, the Dexter Patch reported.
After the Boundary Commission's unanimous approval, The Village of Dexter’s petition for cityhood now goes before the director of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, the website reported. Once that approval is granted, any citizen can obtain signatures on a petition asking for a referendum within 45 days.
Downtown Dexter.
Prior to the new boundary agreement, both Webster Township and the Dexter Area Historical Society voiced objections to the inclusion of Gordon Hall in the proposed boundaries because of easement agreements on the property. The land is part of a 425 agreement between the village and Webster Township, which says that if the village becomes a city, it is responsible for paying taxes to the township for 12 years on the property.
If no referendum petition is filed, village voters will elect a nine-member charter commission to write a city charter that’s then sent to the governor for approval.
Once approved by the governor, the village electors have a vote on the charter and if approved, the Village of Dexter becomes the City of Dexter.
The village began its quest for cityhood more than two years ago. Dexter’s website has extensive information about all the steps involved as well as the history of the process to date. You can also Download a map showing the new boundaries.
Comments
Joe Semifero
Thu, May 10, 2012 : 2:55 p.m.
The Village President has not been, "shoving this down our throats." The cityhood process cannot proceed without a majority of Council behind it. Longtime village residents on Council, including Paul Cousins & Ray Tell, have voted in favor of becoming a city. The Village President cannot unilaterally push this without the Council's explicit support. The process started with a committee approved by the Village Council to investigate the issue, comprised of people from all over the Village. The final report to Council to proceed pursuing cityhood was passed by the committee of people from all over the Village on a 16-1 vote. The members of the committee included many people not living in Webster Township. The document is online here: - http://villageofdexter.org/city_study_committee/reference/cityhood_final_report.pdf Signatures from all over the Village were collected for the cityhood petition. The petition drive was completed by many people going door to door. I collected signatures and saw about the same ratio of people in favor of becoming a city as the committee vote, with less than 10% opposed to becoming a city. The State Boundary Commission held public hearings in Dexter at the library and not a single person stood up to speak against the village becoming a city, and 4 or 5 spoke in favor. A 30 day period was held for public input to the Boundary Commission, with 4 or 5 letters or emails against cityhood and 15-20 in favor. Neither the Village President nor the Council can make the village become a city - that can only happen through a vote of the people. If the director accepts the recommendation of the Boundary Commission this will come to a vote and you will get to cast yours, "Former A2 Resident," if you are a Village resident. But in no way is the Village President "shoving this down (anyone's) throats." Joe Semifero Dexter Village Council
Former A2 Resident
Thu, May 10, 2012 : 11:40 a.m.
The village president has been shoving this down our throats. He lives in Webster Township and will have significantly reduced taxes should Dexter become a city. The rest of us - not so much. Only time will tell if this is a smart move.
John Q
Thu, May 10, 2012 : 8:27 p.m.
Why wouldn't it be a smart move?