State Boundary Commission Approves Revised Boundary for Dexter's Cityhood Petition

The Village of Dexter received the green light to move forward with its cityhood petition on Wednesday.

The State Boundary Commission voted 5-0 to recommend that the Director of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs approve the village’ s cityhood petition with a revised boundary by officials from Dexter and Webster Township in January.

The new boundary does not include either Gordon Hall or the back half of the . Prior to the new boundary agreement, both Webster Township and the Dexter Area Historical Society 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.

The revised boundary map can be viewed on the village's website.

"This is a very proud day for Dexter," village president Shawn Keough said.

Keough said the commission will meet again in June to approve its “Findings of Fact," which will then be sent to Director Steven Hilfinger.

If Hilfinger agrees with the commission and approves the boundary, a 45-day referendum period will begin. During that time, any citizen can obtain signatures on a petition asking for a referendum vote in November.

If no referendum petition is filed, voters will elect a nine-member charter commission to write a city charter that will be sent to Gov. Rick Snyder's office for approval. Once approved by the governor, village residents will have the opportunity to vote on the charter language prior to Dexter becoming a city.