For the 21 years he has served as Superior Township’s Supervisor, Bill McFarlane has never faced opposition in any election.

His friends and colleagues say that is a testament to how well liked and respected he is by the community he serves.

But after 21 years, McFarlane is preparing to submit a letter of resignation at the Sept. 16 Board of Trustees meeting.

McFarlane said health issues are forcing him to leave his post and he would prefer to stay if he could.

“I love my job,” he said. “But it gets to a point that when I talk to people I stop to catch my breath. And I have to talk to people all day.

“I’ve had some medical issues, and I had thought I could work through them, but I don’t have the energy level that I think I have to have to do the job. So instead of giving 50 percent, I’d rather have someone come in and give 100 percent.”

After being re-elected last November, McFarlane had to have a lung removed as he battled with cancer.

Township Clerk David Phillips praised McFarlane for helping turn around the township in the 21 years McFarlane served as supervisor and as a trustee for six years prior to that.

He called McFarlane a strong leader who brings stability and said he quickly earned residents’ trust. Phillips cited the improvement at the fire department as an example of McFarlane's leadership on issues. When McFarlane took over as supervisor, the fire department was understaffed and its equipment was in poor shape.

But soon the fire department had “first class equipment” and another firefighter on each shift. The township was also able to build a new fire station to serve as their main base while keeping the doors open at the old station in the townships' south. Fixing the department was made possible after McFarlane sold the community on the need for a fire millage increase.

“After that, when people called 911, they knew they were going to get a good emergency response,” Phillips said. “If a community has confidence in a leader, then they’re willing to pay a little more if they trust them. I think that the increase was related to residents' confidence in (McFarlane)."

Despite that tax increase over a decade ago, McFarlane has prided himself on his fiscal responsibility and he noted that the Superior Township is in nearly as strong of a financial position as it has ever been since he took over despite the recession. In 2010, when most municipalities were struggling with declining property values, Superior Township was actually lowering its resident’s taxes.

McFarlane said he is now proposing the township lowers its general fund millage because it has built up such strong reserves.

“It’s better to keep the money in the citizen’s pockets than to put it in the bank,” he said.

Phillips said part of the financial success there can be attributed to the township rarely borrowing money to pay for new fire trucks, roads or other needs.

“(McFarlane) has really instituted a pay as you go policy and I hope we continue that,” Phillips said. “The township has never had a large amount of debt and is in excellent financial shape.”

Phillips added that Superior Township has seen improvements at every level during McFarlane’s tenure, including in police protection, fire protection, improved roads, improved sewers and in its overall financial health.

McFarlane, who comes from a family full of local politicians, called the township hall a "merry-go-round with its staff" when he came in and said it now has a stable, dedicated team. He highlighted partnerships with neighboring municipalities that have provided better services for less money.

The township has also worked tirelessly to avoid an onslaught of development that residents generally opposed, worked to stick to its master plan and maintain a rural character throughout most of its 36-square miles. “He has just been a great leader and done a good job in the management of the township,” Phillips said. “He really brought the township up to a professional level in all aspects.”

McFarlane also credited those he worked with.

“I’ve tried to provide strong leadership but I try to look at it as a team effort. I’ve always had good people to work with,” he said.

Township Treasurer Brenda McKinney echoed Phillip's thoughts and said it is a sad time for the township.

“He made sure that we kept a good tax base, strong fire protection, strong police protection and I hope we’re able to continue with the services that we provide for residents,” McKinney said.

She praised McFarlane for always keeping the township’s good ahead of his own or others’ personal interests.

“He stood up for what he believed was right and would tell a citizen ‘What might be good for you and might be a good idea for you is not in the best interest of the entire township,’” she said. “I hope our next supervisor can pick off where Bill left and continue moving the township forward.”

The township is accepting letters of interest from those seeking appointment to the position. The board will interview candidates and make a decision at its regular October meeting.

McFarlane said he is disappointed to have to retire earlier than he would prefer, but he said he is pleased with the township’s direction as he departs.

“I think the township is in the best shape it has ever been in,” he said. “It has excellent employees, and hopefully they can select a replacement who will provide good leadership.”

And, he added, “If you’re going to leave, you leave on top.”

Tom Perkins is a freelance reporter.