A reminder for local township residents: Tuesday, March 12 is Township Day, when townships across the state and area hold annual meetings.
The elections for two-thirds of all townships are held annually on the second Tuesday in March in conjunction with the township’s annual meeting. The rest of the townships hold their elections in November.
According to the Minnesota Association of Townships, “The annual meeting is what really sets townships apart from other forms of local government. At this meeting, the residents of the township have a direct voice in how the township will be run. Residents vote on a variety of matters for which the town board must receive voter approval, and most importantly, the townships tax levy for the next year.”
Some facts from the townships association:
•Townships control approximately 39 percent of the roads in Minnesota – more road miles than any other level of government. This means all townships must provide or contract for road maintenance service.
•Road and bridge expenditures are by far the largest expense for townships, about 60 percent of total expenditures. Other categories of expense include general government expenses, fire protection services, debt payments and public safety.
•Local property taxes are the largest source of township revenue, about 74 percent of total income.
