Smith v. Scio Township

The primary question presented in this appeal is whether the Headlee Amendment, Const 1963, art 9, § 31, limits a township board’s taxing authority to its preincorporation level without a separate vote of the electors when the electors of a general law township vote to become a charter township pursuant to 1947 PA 359; MCL 42.1 et seq.; MSA 5.46(1) et seq. We hold that it does not.

Defendant Scio Township and members of the Scio Township Board sought to incorporate Scio Township as a charter township in an effort to prevent unwanted annexation by the City of Ann Arbor. The board therefore…