Your online resource for Otsego County Information. Dover Township Supervisor's Duties Elmira Township Treasurer's Duties Hayes Township Clerk's Duties Livingston Township Trustee's Duties Otsego Lake Township Government in Michigan Townships are a product of Michigan's early history, and Michigan is one of 20 states that has some form of township government. Michigan currently has 1,242 townships, which vary considerably in geographical size and population. Townships are statutory units of government, having power provided by state statutes. Township government is conducted by the Township Board consisting of five members in Hayes Township - a clerk, supervisor, treasurer and two trustees.
Townships have many responsibilities.
However, the three broadest mandated responsibilities are property assessment administration, elections administration and tax collection. Townships can also enact local ordinances. Townships comply to the Michigan Open Meetings Act and records are available and kept in conformance to the Freedom of Information Act. To top of page Responsibilities of Township Government Townships ensure that the community's health and safety needs are adequately addressed. Through cooperative contracts with other townships, the City of Gaylord and County of Otsego, Hayes Township provides these services for it's citizens.