What does a City Charter mean?

Will Manchester remain a village or become a city? The Nov. 7 vote on a new Charter will make the difference.

by Marsha Chartrand

Is Manchester voting to become a city, or is it voting on a new Charter?

Actually, it’s a little bit of both.

According to the Michigan Municipal League, a Charter is actually similar to a local Constitution — it prescribes the procedures to be followed in operating local government, establishes the powers and duties of elected officials, creates safeguards to protect against misuse of authority, and provides opportunities for citizen involvement.

Michigan is a home rule state, which gives the citizenry the right and responsibility to form its own government. A Charter provides the mechanism for accomplishing the myriad tasks assigned to elected officials to govern their communities. Citizens of Manchester have written the charter and determined what the governmental structure will be to exercise those powers.

When the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) was formed in 2019, it was charged with exploring the advantages and disadvantages of incorporating the Village of Manchester into a Home Rule City, and making a recommendation back to Village Council whether to proceed with becoming a City. The Committee met several times to review other city group studies, analyze data on transition costs and tax implications, receive guest speakers, and hold a formal public hearing. At this meeting, the CAC and Village Council heard concerns, questions, and other feedback about the topic from a wide range of citizens. Manchester Township was invited to present on the impacts that any change to a City government structure would have on their community. In addition, information on the process to become a city was received from The Michigan Municipal League as well as attorney Mariah Fink from Keusch, Flintoft & Fink regarding City status transition.

Once several other steps were taken in preparation for the transition, a City Charter was written early in 2023 and submitted to the Governor’s office for approval. That approval was received in time to hold an election to ratify the City Charter and elect new City Council members on November 7, 2023.

The new City Charter, as proposed, is very similar to the former Village Charter. The big difference is that as a City, Manchester would no longer be part of Manchester Township.

“There are only two types of municipalities recognized by the state of Michigan,” explains Jeff Wallace, who served as Chair of the City Charter Commission. “A Township, or a City.” A village, he explained, is always an extra layer of government within the township; whereas a City is independent. In most ways, the new City Charter is simply a legal document that continues to reflect the way the Village is currently run — the same election cycles, same ordinances, a non-partisan Council, and still honoring the same contracts that are currently in place for police coverage and fire protection.

The greatest difference will be that assessing, tax collection, and elections will fall under the responsibility of the City government instead of the Township. There is also a new provision written into the City Charter that residents can petition for a referendum for a new ordinance, if they wish to see something changed. “The document is modern and answerable to residents,” Wallace said. “It’s been updated to meet current laws and that’s why the state had to approve it.”

Wallace also added that over the past 30–35 years, the village population and its State Equalized Value has become less lopsided in comparison with Manchester Township’s. At one point in the late 1980s to early 1990s, the village tax base was about 45% of the entire township. Now, it is only about 30%, and the idea of changing to a city seems like better timing.

“The needs and the focus of the township are different than our own,” Wallace said. “Voting for a City Charter is a way to give village residents a voice for change.”

The September newsletter that Village residents received with their monthly water bills has a list of Frequently Asked Questions about cityhood, as well as a section on Misconceptions and Facts. Residents will also have an opportunity to address staff and council members with additional questions about cityhood and the new City Charter at a community forum set for 7pm on September 26 in the Village Room on the lower level at 912 City Rd. The City Charter is available for review here.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.