Phone: (906) 492-3452 ext 2
Email: supervisor@whitefishtownshipmi.gov
Phone: (906) 492-3452 ext 3
Email: clerk@whitefishtownshipmi.gov
Phone: (906) 492-3452 ext 1
Email: treasurer@whitefishtownshipmi.gov
Email: trustee1@whitefishtownshipmi.gov
Email: trustee2@whitefishtownshipmi.gov
The township board is empowered by the Michigan Constitution and state laws to govern Whitefish Township. The township board has the exclusive authority, subject to applicable laws, to determine the scope, quality and quantity of township programs and services, to establish parameters and expectations of employee performance and conduct, to establish its own style of governance, and to require information from township personnel necessary and convenient to monitor township operations and compliance with board policies and directives. The township board may authorize appointed officials and employees to take such actions and make decisions that are consistent with applicable federal and state laws, local ordinances, and township board policies.
The township board shall act only at a meeting held in compliance with the Open Meetings Act. Township board authority shall be exercised only through official board decisions recorded as votes taken, directives given or consensus established by the township board at a township board meeting. No individual, committee or organization shall represent its authority or action in a matter as that of the township board unless the township board has directed the individual, committee or organization to act on the township board’s behalf in that matter.
The township board shall allocate township resources through the annual adoption of the township budget and periodic budget amendments. The board shall authorize the resources necessary to fulfill the township’s mission as required by law and defined in the goals identified in the township strategic plan.
The township board shall budget for results and outcomes by linking strategic planning, long-range financial planning, performance measures, budgeting, and evaluation. The use of resources shall be linked to objectives established or reaffirmed at the beginning of the budget development process. The township board shall routinely monitor, evaluate and adjust budget allocations to align township resources with the strategic plan goals and objectives.
Township board members shall: • Keep current on issues affecting the township • Attend all board meetings unless there is a conflict or unforeseen emergency • Vote upon all questions unless there is a conflict of interest present • Encourage the free expression of opinion by all board members • Assist new members in understanding their role and responsibilities as board members • Take no individual action that will compromise the township and respect confidentiality of privileged information.
The township board reserves to itself the authority to appoint the following consultants:
All contracts entered into on behalf of the township must be authorized by the township board. As the legal agent of the township, the supervisor has statutory authority to sign a contract that the township board has approved. The township board may direct (other township board member(s), superintendent, manager, attorney, other), as appropriate, to sign a contract that the board has authorized, in addition to or instead of, the supervisor.
The township board delegates to township officials and employees the responsibility to protect the township’s assets, through such means that include insurance, and which include its land, buildings and property, as well as protecting its image through positive public relations.
The township board shall govern township administration through the adoption of policies and procedures. Board policies and procedures shall define what the township is to accomplish, through the adoption of a mission statement, strategic plan, and other adopted policies and procedures, in compliance with applicable laws. Board policies and procedures shall also define the manner in which the board will conduct its business, the relationship of the board to the township officials and employees, and limitations on the actions of township officials and employees.
To promote efficient administration, the township board authorizes the (supervisor and deputy supervisor/superintendent/manager/other) to provide direction and control over all township activities and functions that are not assigned by state law to another official, and to provide a liaison between the board and the various township departments within the parameters established by the township board.