Lake Orion residents seek to dissolve village

Overview

Residents of the Village of Lake Orion, a small community in Oakland County, will soon learn whether a proposal to dissolve the village will appear on the November ballot. The village submitted a petition to the Oakland County Election Commission to place the potential dissolution vote before residents.

Key Debate

The discussion centers on taxes and services:

• Tax concerns: Some residents argue that village-related costs are too high because village residents must pay both village and township taxes.
• Support for maintaining the village: Others oppose dissolution, saying they value the amenities and services funded through village taxes.

Village Leadership Perspective

Village Council Pro Tem Stanford warns that uncertainty surrounding the dissolution could affect staffing and services. He says:

• Some village employees have already quit due to the lack of clarity.
• If dissolution proceeds, village employees would not keep their jobs.
• This could lead to reduced services, including the loss of the village’s own police department and snow plowing.

Next Steps

The village expects a decision from the Oakland County Election Commission later this week on whether the dissolution will be on the November ballot.

Presenters / Contributors

• Village Council Pro Tem Stanford