The Hopkins Township Board will have a public hearing April 13 on a proposed ordinance adopting a Downtown Development Authority to oversee a DDA district across the expressway from the City of Wayland.

The DDA would govern about a dozen properties on 12^th Street along the west side of U.S.-131 in Hopkins Township that have petitioned for sanitary sewer and water services from the City of Wayland through annexation.

The residents earlier this year week filed petitions in Lansing seeking to be annexed. Grand Rapids area Realtor Brian Silvernail filed the petition on behalf of the residents, who local officials say have indicated interest in being annexed to get extension of sewer and water.

The petition was filed with the Michigan Office of Land Survey and Remonumentation. The next step in the process is a meeting of the State Boundary Commission April 29, when the petition will be reviewed for legal sufficiency.

Wayland City Manager Joshua Eggleston said in January, “Now that the petitions have been filed, the city will do its due diligence and determine the feasibility of providing all city services to this potential new area of the community.

“Obviously the city is excited about the potential economic development opportunities; however, it must proceed with caution as to not overextend itself and unduly burden the current taxpayers of the city by paying excessively for future growth.”

In other business at the Meeting Monday night, the Township Board:

• Adopted the 2020-21 fiscal year budget that includes a projection of a fund balance $737,750, revenues of $583,682 and expenses of $915,658.

The shortfall will be absorbed by the previous fund balance.

• Noted the intention to seek a renewal of two mills for roads and a one-mill increase in a separate proposal in the August primary election. Hopkins Township residents also will be asked to decide on a question to increase household support for recycling from $36 to $50 per year.
• Was told by Supervisor Mark Evans that the fire agreement between the township and Gun Lake Tribe is complete and the first payment has been received.

“We got that resolved,” Evans said. “It’s a positive step in the right direction.”

• Approved a 75-25% funding arrangement with the Hopkins Village DDA for landscaping work at the library.
• Approved a transfer of $500 from “Other Professional Services” to handle additional costs in the street lighting fund.