Responsible Community Development
Smart investments that build a stronger Delta Township for everyone
Paying Tribute to Delta’s Veterans
Since ending fireworks for Independence Day, there is only one national holiday which we invest in community recognition activities. I am very bothered that we invest absolutely nothing in recognizing our living and deceased Delta veterans. I’ve publicly pointed out; some 1.5 million service members have died in all of America’s wars and conflicts. And we have over 700 Delta Township veterans who are laid to rest in our township cemeteries.
I cannot help but look to my very own father who served in the Army Air Corps during WWII. He was assigned to the African Campaign which is mostly forgotten but for history buffs. He never said much of his service but when I once took to him to visit our National Cemeteries in Hawaii and San Diego, he became silent and in near tears said to me: “What a waste of life!” It was something I’ll never forget. I am proud of my father and of every military service member who has honorably served our country.
So why don’t we do something of significance for our veterans? I’ve raised my concern publicly in board meetings. The response from fellow board members reflects a troubling lack of ownership — that Delta is unique in having no veterans’ organizations to take the initiative on their own. That is simply not good enough. Blaming others for our own shortcoming is not leadership. Many smaller communities do far more to honor their veterans than Delta. It is both embarrassing and disrespectful.
Honoring our veterans is more than a three-day weekend marking the unofficial beginning of summer, it’s about recognizing and respecting the sacrifices and reminding ourselves and children of those sacrifices, without which, our way of life wouldn’t exist as it does today.
As Supervisor, I will make it my goal to have a meaningful activity that rightfully recognizes and honors those who served our country.
CPL. L. Fedewa
Delta Crossings
The Next New Wave
Affordability is a major bread-and-butter concern today. It seems everything is costing more than what wages can keep up with. Aside from groceries, transportation, childcare and education, housing, including rents, is the single costliest expense for most working residents. We hear there is an overall housing shortage and yes, there is more demand than supply. Delta is not an island and we have the same indicators as do other communities. Because much of the township has already been built out for residential housing, there are only a few remaining locations within the township where sizeable tracks of land can be developed for residential housing. If you’re familiar with the housing market, you understand the exponential increase in the price of a house, condo or apartment. Traditionally, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) and the federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have been the agencies that provide incentives for affordable housing choices.
However, recent actions by the state have permitted local communities to offer tax incentives as well. Whether it’s a Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILT) or a housing tax increment financing agreement (TIFA), the result is the same, it is a subsidy for a developer and a reduction in tax revenue growth for the township. All the while the demand for services increases with each new residential project. This increases the tax burden on all other property taxpayers. The trade-off? A portion of a new subdivision or rental complex that offers below market rate housing choices.
Now, with state law allowing local governments the power to award housing tax incentives, every developer will come with hat-in-hand asking for a public subsidy. And why not? If you don’t ask, you won’t get it. As I said, Delta is not an island and there is a need for affordable housing in our society, but I believe any request must take into consideration the net benefit to the township, the surrounding residential areas and Delta taxpayers at large. In other words, what is the cost-benefit ratio of approving a 20- or 30-year tax subsidy? How will a subsidized development affect the surrounding neighborhoods? Do we favor single family homes over apartments? Answering these questions will be a challenge for our Board of Trustees but I will bring thoughtful consideration with the full participation of the local residents, when we are approached for taxpayer funded subsidies.
Affordable Housing Tax Incentive Requests
The Next New Wave
Affordability is a major bread-and-butter concern today. It seems everything is costing more than what wages can keep up with. Aside from groceries, transportation, childcare and education, housing, including rents, is the single costliest expense for most working residents. We hear there is an overall housing shortage and yes, there is more demand than supply. Delta is not an island and we have the same indicators as do other communities. Because much of the township has already been built out for residential housing, there are only a few remaining locations within the township where sizeable tracks of land can be developed for residential housing. If you’re familiar with the housing market, you understand the exponential increase in the price of a house, condo or apartment. Traditionally, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) and the federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have been the agencies that provide incentives for affordable housing choices.
However, recent actions by the state have permitted local communities to offer tax incentives as well. Whether it’s a Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILT) or a housing tax increment financing agreement (TIFA), the result is the same, it is a subsidy for a developer and a reduction in tax revenue growth for the township. All the while the demand for services increases with each new residential project. This increases the tax burden on all other property taxpayers. The trade-off? A portion of a new subdivision or rental complex that offers below market rate housing choices.
Now, with state law allowing local governments the power to award housing tax incentives, every developer will come with hat-in-hand asking for a public subsidy. And why not? If you don’t ask, you won’t get it. As I said, Delta is not an island and there is a need for affordable housing in our society, but I believe any request must take into consideration the net benefit to the township, the surrounding residential areas and Delta taxpayers at large. In other words, what is the cost-benefit ratio of approving a 20- or 30-year tax subsidy? How will a subsidized development affect the surrounding neighborhoods? Do we favor single family homes over apartments? Answering these questions will be a challenge for our Board of Trustees but I will bring thoughtful consideration with the full participation of the local residents, when we are approached for taxpayer funded subsidies.
Review Board Compensation
Did you know that members of the Delta Township Board of Trustees receive the highest compensation of any township in the entire Mid-Michigan region?
That’s not an exaggeration. The Supervisor, Clerk, and Trustees in Delta Township earn more in total compensation than their counterparts in any surrounding township.
Consider this: Delta’s Clerk earns $113,384. In neighboring Meridian Township, the Clerk earns $101,970 — a difference of $11,414, or roughly 10%. And Meridian serves more than 10,000 additional residents. Even the Eaton County Clerk — who also serves as Register of Deeds and carries significantly broader countywide responsibilities — earns about $4,000 less than Delta’s Clerk.
Take a look at a side-by-side comparison with Meridian in the following table, the conclusion is clear: Delta’s elected officials’ pay is out of line with comparable communities.
As Delta Township Treasurer, I have publicly advocated for realigning our compensation structure to bring it at least in line with Meridian Township. It should come as no surprise the effort met resistance from most of the sitting board members.
As Supervisor, I will continue pushing for a compensation schedule that is balanced, defensible, and transparent. Taxpayers deserve openness about how their elected officials are compensated. Serving the residents of Delta Township should be about stewardship — not enrichment at the public’s expense.
