Village vs City - An Important Decision for Dexter

The elected officials of the Village of Dexter have made many decisions over the past seven years that have brought us to this point.  It started in May 2006 when they appointed the City Study Committee.  They did it again in 2007 with a resolution to pursue city status.  They did it in 2008-2010 when paying engineers to update the map and description of the Village’s boundary.  They did it from 2007-2012 when they spent public funds hiring consultants and paying attorney fees to help move the process along.

Was the idea to pursue being a city generated by concerned citizens or was it a political decision by members of our Village government?  In looking back at 2005-2007, we see activity occurring that may have influenced the decision to pursue becoming a city.

In July 2005, the Village received an annexation request for “all or part of 5 parcels”, totaling +/- 320 acres located east and west of Baker Road.  The development would consist of 575 housing units and was named Harvest Valley.  Scio Township thought the density of 575 units high.

In August 2006, after being unable to reach a joint development agreement with Scio Township, the Village Council passes a resolution (5-2) for the purpose of petitioning the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners to annex property (Sloan Farm and Kingsley property) into the Village of Dexter. 

The County Board of Commissioners is the ruling party in annexation disputes between villages and townships.  In Washtenaw County, the preference is for the two parties to work out an agreement, thus they requested the Village and Scio Township meet again.  An ad hoc committee met from May – July 2007.  A joint meeting of the Village Council and the Scio Township Board was held in August.

In Oct. 2007, Scio Township determined that the draft Act 425 agreement with the Village was not acceptable in its current form and content.  The developer then requested the Village ask the County to hold a public hearing and to vote on the annexation request.

While the outcome of the annexation request was determined in November 2007 when the Village Council decided it was best to withdraw the annexation petition, the pursuit of becoming a city officially began with a resolution on May 14, 2007.  It appears this takes place right after not being able to reach an agreement with Scio Township and the County Commissioners deciding not to take action of the annexation request. 

Was this decision to pursue becoming a city influenced by the fact there would be a change in the annexation process?  Instead of the County Commissioners being the ruling party in disputes, the State Boundary Commission fills that role.  Is this why the current Village Council has not said much about annexation except that villages and cities are allowed by law to annex property?  The Committee’s final report stated, “While concerns over future growth were brought up many times, the Committee settled on a position that annexation and growth issues are independent from the form of government we should have in the Village of Dexter.  Therefore, annexation and growth issues were not considered when determining the Committee’s recommendation.” 

In 2006 and 2007, the Village Council favored the annexation of the large development previously mentioned.  We don’t know what position the current Village Council, which contains some of the same elected officials, would do if an annexation request for the same development (or something similar) were to come before them.  What we do know is, if the Village becomes a city, annexation is no longer a completely local process.  For cities, there is the tendency for an easier route to annexation with the State playing a role in the process.

The current Village Council wants voters to wait and see what would be included in a city charter before making a decision about cityhood.  They tell us that nothing is going to change except for the city being responsible for running elections and assessing property.  Some members of the Council have mentioned their desire to run for a position on the Charter Commission.  In the town hall meeting held recently, residents asked for definitive reasons why they should support becoming a city.  The basic answer is not paying township tax and being able to write a charter.  No Council members would offer any example of something they would want to see in a charter. 

Well, if nothing much is going to change, then why make the change?  I see value in staying a village for the following reasons:

1. We actually pay very little in taxes to the townships.  The fact that we pay taxes allows us to have a “voice” before the township boards; and because of our dual residency in the Village and a township, we have voting power in both areas.
2. In regard to annexation and growth, if Village residents disagree with the direction the Village Council is going, they know it is a local decision and can voice their opinion to the Council, the township board and the County Commissioners.
3. Many residents moved to Dexter for its “small town feel” and many residents have stayed here because of that feeling.
4. The Village has done well in its accomplishments and has been recognized for them.  We compete very well as a “large” village (7th in population), where as a city (164th in population), we may face greater competition for resources.

One item that seems to say a lot about this whole issue of cityhood is contained in the May 2007 resolution to pursue city status.  The seventh paragraph of the resolution reads, ““Whereas, Village Council understands that it is not about success or failure to achieve City status, rather it is about educating the public to make the best decision on behalf of the local unit of government; and”

While the current Village Council has tried to educate the public, they seem to care a great deal about the success of achieving.  When they sent the latest newsletter to residents, they still failed to express a balanced look at the pros and cons of the issue.  What I am most concerned about is the part of the resolution that says “to make the best decision on behalf of the local unit of government”.  I would hope that residents would want to make the best decision for themselves and for other residents, not for what might be best for local government.  I feel the residents have more control by staying a Village, than by giving more power to elected officials of a city.

I ask all registered voters to please exercise your right to vote.

Jim Smith, is a former member of the Dexter Village Council (Dec. 2007 – Nov. 2012), and current co-chair of the Committee to Keep Dexter a Village.  
Contact: keepdextervillage@gmail.com