I know we use some strange words but....

[2LaneCruzer]

In NC, townships are used to delineate voting districts within counties. I believe townships are sub-county governmental units in some states.

Steve

Townships, at least in this state, are a block of land six miles by six miles and are used in legal descriptions.

 

[stuckmotor]

"Get 'er done" is payback for the frustration I felt trying to figure out what an Australian meant by the term "ute". I asked my brother and he said it meant an Indian.

 

[TSO]

Townships, at least in this state, are a block of land six miles by six miles and are used in legal descriptions.

Same here in Michigan.

Here in Michigan it is a way to give local control to the residence within that division of the county, without actually being incorporated into a city proper. For items such as roads, Services, zoning, enforcement, trustees, Etc. A Township can also incorporate to be a "Charter" Township, giving it the same legal rights as a city. With many townships in Michigan, you also have an incorporated city somewhere within, or even splitting its border with another Township. Often, services are consolidated within the city and the township together. In my Township, Water and Sewer services are provided within the city limits (small village where the post office, Banks, and schools are located), but those of us out in the township are on well and septic. The city can attempt to Annex, or grow into the township, as long as those residents in the potentially growing area vote to join the incorporated city limits. Then those residents would be afforded the city services like sewer and public water, Etc.

One area in particular that is an advantage in my Township, relates to zoning and land-use. Within the city limits, they can carve out a residential lot anywhere big enough to fit a house. But in the township, a residential lot must be at least 2 Acres or above. That helps to limit the expansion and sprawl.

Regarding other services, the Township Board of Trustees, who are voted in, can choose to either pay the local city police and fire to service the township, contact (thru mileage) the county deputies, or skip the deputies and rely on the state police which are few and far in-between.

On the flip side, the taxes in the township are cheaper than the city, but then again, we don't receive City water or sewer (that's fine, I actually prefer my well water to city water), garbage collection (must hire our own), etc. Trade-offs

 

[bunyip]

"Get 'er done" is payback for the frustration I felt trying to figure out what an Australian meant by the term "ute". I asked my brother and he said it meant an Indian.

It's a pick up and often a version of the family sedan not just 4X4 or the big F250's etc, short for utility and weapon of choice for 'heat seekers' those who bring themselves to the attention of the police for all the wrong reasons.
I drive a Nissan Ute as a vehicle for picking up what we need, it is not pretty with lots of antennas or a lift kit and fancy stripes and chrome.

 

[two_bit_score]

In Missouri they are a subordinate to Counties. My County has 20 Townships. Brings local governmental control of things such as country roads to a level closer to the user. Nothing to fear.

Sounds like toooo much gubmmit to me.

 

[bunyip]

Bugle Oil is one I found appealing, heard it from a USAF Officer when I was in Vietnam, he was trying to get someone to stop making excuses and give a direct answer 'less bugle oil and more answers' or something along those lines.

 

[ovrszd]

Sounds like toooo much gubmmit to me.

Actually has the opposite effect.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Same here in Michigan.

Here in Michigan it is a way to give local control to the residence within that division of the county, without actually being incorporated into a city proper. For items such as roads, Services, zoning, enforcement, trustees, Etc. A Township can also incorporate to be a "Charter" Township, giving it the same legal rights as a city. With many townships in Michigan, you also have an incorporated city somewhere within, or even splitting its border with another Township. Often, services are consolidated within the city and the township together. In my Township, Water and Sewer services are provided within the city limits (small village where the post office, Banks, and schools are located), but those of us out in the township are on well and septic. The city can attempt to Annex, or grow into the township, as long as those residents in the potentially growing area vote to join the incorporated city limits. Then those residents would be afforded the city services like sewer and public water, Etc.

One area in particular that is an advantage in my Township, relates to zoning and land-use. Within the city limits, they can carve out a residential lot anywhere big enough to fit a house. But in the township, a residential lot must be at least 2 Acres or above. That helps to limit the expansion and sprawl.

Regarding other services, the Township Board of Trustees, who are voted in, can choose to either pay the local city police and fire to service the township, contact (thru mileage) the county deputies, or skip the deputies and rely on the state police which are few and far in-between.

On the flip side, the taxes in the township are cheaper than the city, but then again, we don't receive City water or sewer (that's fine, I actually prefer my well water to city water), garbage collection (must hire our own), etc. Trade-offs

An interesting sidelight in Oklahoma; when the state was formed and the surveys made, one section of land (one square mile/640 acres) in every township was set aside as a resource by which to finance public schools. These parcels were sold and the money used in that fashion. The land my Grandfather farmed was "school land" that he bought, I believe it was around 1907 or 1908, about the time of, or right after, statehood.

 

[smstonypoint]

Sounds like toooo much gubmmit to me.

Actually has the opposite effect.

There are definite benefits of local governance. On the flip side, local governance may result in foregoing economies of scale in providing government services.

I am not familiar with all of the particulars, but two adjacent towns near my farm, North Wilkesboro and Wilkesboro, NC, have separate police, fire, water, sewer,etc. departments. I suspect that consolidation of those departments would reduce the "cost of government" for the citizens of the two towns.

Steve

 

[ovrszd]

There are definite benefits of local governance. On the flip side, local governance may result in foregoing economies of scale in providing government services.

I am not familiar with all of the particulars, but two adjacent towns near my farm, North Wilkesboro and Wilkesboro, NC, have separate police, fire, water, sewer,etc. departments. I suspect that consolidation of those departments would reduce the "cost of government" for the citizens of the two towns.

Steve

The County shares services with the townships. County taking care of the "bigger" items.

There's been discussion here about changing to County government and abolishing townships. That requires a majority ballot vote. It will never happen. Not because of logistical reasons, but demographics. In a county of 8,500 people, 90% residing in municipalities (towns), largest being 4,000 (County Seat). Those people will never vote for something that might take monies away from them to distribute out into the sparsely populated areas of the county to improve services.

Fortunately the township I live in and the one I run a road grader for have money. Roads are very well maintained. Out of the 20 townships, 5 are in good financial condition. The other 15 are almost destitute. Roads being maintained once a year, in some cases once every two or three years.

It's a difficult situation with little chance of change.

In a larger sense the same thing happens with State funding. I am far Northwest. Population base is Central and South. Our State hiways directly reflect that position.