1. Keep and maintain all official Township records.

All original records are kept on file in the Clerk’s Office. This includes Township policies, procedures, ordinances, resolutions, easements, vehicle titles, special assessment district petitions, tax abatement requests and many other documents

2. Accounts Payable/Payroll/General Ledger

The clerk is statutorily responsible for preparing, submitting and disbursing all accounts payable and maintaining the general ledger. A full time Accounting Director is employed to manage all necessary financial information pertinent to the Clerk’s responsibilities. The clerk is one of two required signers on all Township checks. This includes payables and payroll checks.

3. Preparation and maintenance of all Board of Trustee meeting agendas and official minutes.

This office is responsible for preparing and distributing agendas for all Charter Township of Muskegon Board Meetings, to include special meetings. We also prepare the packets of information necessary for all elected officials to come to the meetings prepared and informed on the issues before the Board.

After the meeting, we prepare the official minutes and publish them in accordance with the law. We post all meeting notices, including special meetings and meeting cancellations. All postings are done in accordance with the Open Meetings Act.

4. Issue Business Licenses for all solicitors, peddlers, junk yards, used car lots, mechanical and amusement devices, solid waste disposal, precious gem dealers, Christmas tree sales and ice cream vendors.

Muskegon Township Ordinances require, on an annual basis, that owners of junk yards, used car lots, mechanical and amusement devices, solid waste disposal companies and precious gem dealers be licensed through the Clerk’s Office.

By Township Ordinances, peddlers and solicitors must obtain a license from the Clerk’s Office before the company or individual begins selling his wares door-to-door. (Please refer to the forms page for these license applications) Ask to see the license. A provision in the Peddlers and Solicitors Ordinance states that “It shall be unlawful for an individual, group, association, partnership or corporation to engage in solicitation or peddling at any time on premises where the property owner, or person in control of the property, has clearly posted a notice that solicitors and peddlers are prohibited or otherwise not allowed.” Any individual issued a license from this office is informed of this provision in the ordinance. If peddlers or solicitors ignore the posted sign, a call to the police department at (231) 777-1666 with the complaint should alleviate the problem.

5. All local, county, state and federal elections. Please refer to the Election Page for additional forms and information regarding current election schedule.

6. Process Freedom of Information Act requests

The Clerk’s office is responsible for processing all freedom of information act requests. Upon receipt of a request, we route the document to the proper department for review and follow-up, all within the time limits as specified in the Act. In the event we are unable to respond within the specified time, we make a request of the applicant for an extended period of time with an explanation for same. Please refer to the Forms page for this form)

7. Publication of all legal notices, documents, and meeting minutes.

The Clerk’s office is responsible for the publication of all legal notices, documents and Board of Trustee Meeting Minutes in a local newspaper. We utilize the services of the Muskegon Chronicle. Employment notices are placed in the Muskegon Chronicle Newspaper and on our website.

8. Requests for Industrial Development Districts, Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificates (Tax Abatements), and Speculative Building Status

A letter requesting establishment of an Industrial Development District and signed by an authorized representative of the company must be submitted to the Township Clerk prior to Board consideration. A complete legal description and a drawing of the property depicting the proposed district boundaries is required. Please refer to the Forms page for the application, a copy of the required contract and a checklist of required backup materials.