Other common programs include parks and recreation opportunities, public water and sewer services, trash collection and recycling programs, sidewalks and trails and cemeteries. Virtually all townships provide fire protection and many also offer law enforcement as well. In addition to the above required duties, Michigan townships are authorized to provide a wide variety of services that are generally expected from governmental entities. Township meetings must comply with Michigan’s Open Meetings Act and township records must be stored and made available in conformance with specific laws, such as the Freedom of Information Act. Procedures for the township’s financial administration, such as budgets, accounting, investments and deposits, are closely regulated by the state. In addition to these broad mandates, there are other more narrow state requirements. The three broadest mandated responsibilities are assessment administration, elections administration and tax collection. Mandated Functions are activities that townships are required to perform. State laws authorize both types of Michigan townships to perform mandated and permissive functions.
The entire state is covered by township governments except for areas within cities. Each township is governed by a board of trustees consisting of the township supervisor, township clerk, township treasurer, and two or four elected trustees. Typically, though not always, townships are 36 square miles in size. Townships are the original units of government formed in the state. There are 1,123 townships and 117 charter townships which are all actively functioning governmental units. Bureau of the Census offers a definition of Michigan townships: Article VII of the constitution, entitled Local Government, authorizes the establishment of counties, townships, cities and villages. The Michigan Constitution of 1963 recognizes various units of government within the state.
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