The Independence Township Board of Trustees invited a speaker to their Tuesday meeting to hear details of hiring a township manager.
Richard Watkins, the 14-year township manager of Delta Township spoke with the board about his job duties, the hiring process and the day-to-day workings of his township with the role of a manager.
With a background in finance, Watkins said he has taken over many of the responsibilities of the full-time elected officials of the township, which is about 36-square-miles with 30,000 residents ? very similar to Independence.
‘I divide politics and policy for every day managing of the township,? Watkins said. ‘I take direction from the board using my experience and training to do that.?
He also cited that every township he knows that has switched to a manager-form of government has done it by board action, not by a grass-roots effort in an election, which has been a concern of many board members and residents.
Watkins cited growing populations, a growing number of township employees and a large amount of township complexities as reasons for a necessary manager.
He also said a manager must be accountable to the people and the board, because he or she is always hired at will and may be replaced depending on the contract.
‘A manager always makes sure the board has everything they need to make decisions,? he said. Managers are also responsible for looking at the long-term goals and future of the township.
Supervisor Dave Wagner said the speaker was interesting and informative, but that the manager form of government would still be a mistake for the township.
‘I don’t see a benefit,? he said. ‘I was listening to him and it was mentioned that we’d be able to eliminate the supervisor, clerk, treasure and deputy clerk, but he also mentioned that he has an assistant and 11 department directors when we only have six. So I don’t think there as much savings as expected.?
Wagner also noted that there are 1,262 townships in Michigan, of which only 44 have a manager. Of those, only four are of the same size as Independence.
‘If it’s that’s good, why wouldn’t there be a lot more?? he said. ‘This has been looked at, and it looks like it’s not feasible, but I’m keeping an open mind to it.?
Clerk Shelagh Vanderveen asked Watkins to addressed the board and said the next logical step would be to hold a public hearing.
Independence Township resident Rudy Lozano attended the meeting and expressed his disdain with the situation.
‘This whole things revolved around the integrity of the supervisor,? he said. ‘The people have voted you in the first time, based on what your job is, and the people have the right to vote for you again and this new form.?