The Hopkins Township Board continues to wrestle with the issue of opposing the Gun Lake Tribe’s request to take a parcel of land into trust and therefore off the tax rolls.
Township Supervisor Mark Evans said Hopkins’ letter in opposition has been returned to the U.S. Department of the Interior, but, “I have no idea where we’re at. We’re still trying to work out an arrangement, as we have for the last six years.”
However, citizen Bob Beck, who has been critical of how the township has handled issues with the Gun Lake Tribe, insists it’s been a waste of taxpayers’ money.
In a written statement Monday night, Beck asserted, “The township government has spent at least $10,061.61 (in legal fees) contesting and appealing land being taken into trust by the Gun Lake Tribe. The Gun Lake Tribe has gifted Hopkins Township over $300,000 during this period.
“(Trustees Gary) Wamhoff, (Bob) Modreske, (Supervisor Mark) Evans and (Clerk Sandra) Morris have consistently voted to spend tax dollars on this futile exercise.
“Township taxes on the property being contested amount to $454.32 in 2019. About 25 years of taxes spent on an exercise in futility. A huge waste of taxpayer dollars by people who would rather fight with the Gun Lake Tribe than form a beneficial working relationship with the Gun Lake Tribe.”
Beck said the figures on the township legal fees were provided on request by Clerk Eric Alberta.
The property the tribe is asking to have taken into trust is located near the corner of 12th Street and 129th Avenue.
The township provided an information sheet that maintained the total tax property loss in 2018 alone is $106,206.73, including Hopkins Township, Hopkins Library, Hopkins Schools, Allegan County and Wayland Schools.
But Beck said the figures provided also include the non-profit Jijak Foundation property that was taken into trust after Mel Trotter Ministries vacated the non-taxable parcel.
In other business Monday evening, the Township Board:
- Voted 4-0 with Morris absent to oppose a Michigan Townships Association suggestion to have all township elections be non-partisan. Dorr Township took the same position in a 6-0 vote last month.
- Was told by Allegan County Commissioner Gale Dugan that the current county-wide millage levy is 4.772, rolled back from the original 5.7 because of provisions of the Headlee Amendment. The county is considering asking voters next year to restore the original rate.
- Awarded the low bid of $48,057.50 to R. Smith & Sons for graveling township roads.
