Question I sent to several townships in Michigan to get a comparison on benefits to trustees. These are the results of the township surveyed

Township Clerk

I am doing a research project to compare benefits for Township trustees. Please let me know if your trustees receive any health care, pension, life insurance, retirement or other benefits other than their salary or meetings allowance.

Thank you.

Dale Westrick Township trustee

Watertown Township (no health benefits) $4.500 a year health benefit reimbursement. Pension plan.

Dewitt city council (no health benefits)

Dewitt Charter Township. (no health benefits)

Caledonia Township (no health benefits)

Adrian Township (Trustees receive $1.200 a year for health reimbursements)

Allendale Township (no insurance benefits and canceled pension plan this year)

Ann Arbor Township ( no health benefits)

AusableTownship ((no health benefits)

Bangor Township (no health benefits just pension and life insurance)

Riley Township (no health benefits)

Victor Township (no health benefits)

Westphalia Township (no health benefits)

Bath Township (no health benefits)

Ray Township (no health benefits)

Sparta Township (no health benefits)

Grass Lake Township (no health benefits)

Mancelona Township (no health benefits)

Richland Township (no health benefits)

Townships that I emailed with the same question answers below.

Grattant Township pension in place of social security.

Banks Township (no health benefits)

Green Township 20% of salary put into a pension (no health benefits)

Groveland Township (no health benefits) life insurance for $10.000

Coldsprings Township pension plan in lieu of social security (no health benefits)

Bingham Township (no health benefits)

Gerrish Township $10.000 life insurance Retirement benefits of 15% of their monthly salary (no health benefits)

Grant Township (no health benefits)

Holly Township (no health benefits)

Gaines Township 10% pension of there gross wages (no health benefits)

Baltimore Township (no health benefits)

Alpine Township they receive a pension of 7% of their annual per diem wages (no health benefits)

Beaver Creek Township Trustees are entitled to health care (neither take it) life insurance and pension 15% of wages.

Austin Township retirement plan (no health benefits)

Armada Township (no health benefits)

Ash Township (no health benefits)

Bates Township (no health benefits)

Burdell Township ( nohealth benefits)

Comstock Township 12% pension (no health benefits)

Cannon Township (no health benefits)

Byron Township 10.5% toward pension (no health benefits)

Burt Township (no health benefits)

Cascade Township 10% to a define contribution plan (no health benefits)

Cooper Township Receive 15% of their gross wages for pension (no health benefits)

Cortland Township (no health benefits)

Benzonia Township (no health benefits)

Dundee Township (no health benefits)

Frankenmuth Township (no health benefits)

Fort Gratiot Township (no health benefits)

Fenton Township (no health benefits)

Kalkaska County (no health benefits)

Denver Township (no health benefits)

EckfordTownshio (no health benefits)

Fremont web (no health benefits)

Champion Township (no health benefits)

Charleston Township health insurance available but trustees must pay 100% of premiums.

Cambridge Township (no health benefits)

Canton Township (no health benefits)

Burt Township (no health benefits)

Blendon Township (no health benefits)

Berlin Township (no health benefits)

Ann Arbor Township (no health benefits)

Birch Run Township (no health benefits)

Beaver Creek Township Trustees are eligible for health care but must pay 20%of the premium themselves.

Allegan Township (no health benefits)

Algansee Township (no health benefits)

Benton Township (no health benefits)

Breitung Township (no health benefits)

Atlas Township (no health benefits)

Bertrand Township All members of the township board receive health insurance or if the individual does not take the insurance, they receive reimbursement added to their monthly paycheck. Our current premium is $918.76 per person per month. The two trustees’s also receiving pension with an annual contribution of $600.00. The trustees are covered with a life insurance policy.

Bear Creek Township (no health benefits)

East Bay Township (no health benefits)

Mon, May 10, 2010 9:48:57 AM

RE: benefits

From: / Jim Fues <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

The only benefit is a pension plan in place of social security. We have a plan that deposits 10% of salary into the pension.

From: Dale Westrick [mailto:
Sent: Friday, April 30, 2010 4:01 PM
To:

Fw: benefits

From: / Banks Township Clerk <>
View Contact
To: /

Hi Dale,

Our trustees are compensated at $2000 per year. One of them also serves on the planning commission and is compensated the same as the other PC members. Otherwise, there are not additional benefits for the trustees.

Donna Heeres

Banks Township Clerk

----- Original Message -----

From:Thomas P Mann

To:'Banks Township Clerk'

Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2010 5:15 PM

Subject: FW: benefits

Re: benefits

From: / Janet Clark <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

Dale
Green Twp. Trustees receive an additional 20% of salary put into a pension through Burnham & Flower/John Hancock, just the same as all other elected officials of twp. Trustees do receive a $25.00 per diem for special meetings. No health benefits
Yes, have a $10,000. life insurance policy same as all other elected officials of twp.
Janet Clark, Clerk
Green Charter Township

RE: benefits

From: / Pam Mazich <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

Groveland Township does not receive health benefits. They are in our
MERS defined benefit program and they have life insurance for $10,000.
We pay $185 a meeting. Groveland Township, Pam Mazich
-----Original Message-----
From: Dale Westrick [mailto:
Sent: Friday, April 30, 2010 4:15 PM
To: Pam Mazich
Subject: benefits

Tue, May 4, 2010 10:15:03 AM

Re: benefits

From: / "" <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

Dale
The only benefit our township has for the board members including the Trustees is a pension plan in lieu of Social Security, which is a plan where the township instead of paying 6.2 into Social Security they put it into a Municipal pension plan and the board member puts in 4%. They do not have to participate in the pension plan they can still have the 6.2% go into Social Security instead and all they have to do is sign a letter stating that they are aware of the plan but do not wish to participate. Also they can change their minds and participate if they wish to.
If you have any questons, let me know.
Mary Hodges
Coldsprings Township Clerk
---- Dale Westrick <> wrote:

Mon, May 3, 2010 1:06:50 PM

Re: benefits

From: / Bingham Township <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

Dale,

Our township trustees receive no perks.

Peggy Core, Clerk

----- Original Message -----

From:Dale Westrick

To:

Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2010 3:16 PM

Subject: benefits

Mon, May 3, 2010 11:41:09 AM

Re: benefits

From: / Jodi Valentino <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

Good Afternoon Mr. Westrick:

Our Trustees receive the following:

$6085.08 annually

$50.00 per approved extra meetings (includes Planning Commission)

flat $10,000 in life insurance

Retirement benefits of 15% of their monthly salary - 401k through VALIC

No board members receive health benefits.

Jodi Valentino
Gerrish Township Clerk
989-821-9313 ext 227

Re: clerk

From: / Grant TWP Office <>
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To: / Dale Westrick <>

Our trustees receive no benefits of any kind. Gary W. Sharum, Deputy Clerk,
Grant Township

Mon, May 3, 2010 9:31:19 AM

RE: benefits

From: / Karin Winchester <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

No benefits

Karin S. Winchester, CMC

Holly Township Clerk/Zoning Administrator

102 Civic Drive

Holly, MI 48442

Phone: 248-634-9331 ext. 301

Fax:248-634-5482

Fri, April 30, 2010 10:46:13 AM

RE: benefits

From: / Crystal Osterink <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

Dale,

I don’t think I know you but I looked you up on Google and apparently you are a trustee in Watertown Township. So I will give you the information.

Our trustees receive a 10% pension on their gross wages. That is the only benefit they have in addition to their meeting allowance.

Crystal Osterink

Crystal Osterink

Gaines Township Clerk

8555 Kalamazoo Ave SE

Caledonia, MI 49316

616.698.7980

Thu, April 29, 2010 10:20:03 AM

RE: benefits

From: / baltimoreclerk <>
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To: / Dale Westrick <>

Dale,

Our trustees do not receive any health or any other benefits. Their salary is $1200 per year. They are paid $10.12 per hour for any additional meetings.

Penelope Ypma

Baltimore Township Clerk

E-mail:

Phone: 269-721-3502

Wed, April 28, 2010 3:59:02 PM

RE: benefits

From: / Jean Wahlfield <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

The Alpine Trustees received a per diem of $120. They do receive a pension of 7% of their annual per diem wages. No health care, life insurance or other retirement benefits. During the MTA conference, the Township pays for conference registration, hotel accommodations, mileage, and meals. If you have any other questions, please let me know. ~ Jean Wahlfield, Township Clerk (616) 784-1262.

Re: benefits

From: / Sharon Hartman <>
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To: / Dale Westrick <>

Dale: Trustees are entitled to health care (neither take it), do have life ins and pension, 15% of wages. Sharon

----- Original Message -----

From:Dale Westrick

To:

Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2010 1:29 AM

Subject: benefits

Re: benefits

From: / Elizabeth G. Carr <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

Our trustees are given a retirement plan, but no other benefits.

On Wed, Apr 28, 2010 at 1:45 AM, Dale Westrick <> wrote:

Wed, April 28, 2010 9:42:06 AM

RE: benefits

From: / Mary Kswiacki <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

Dale:

Armada TownshipTrustees do not receive any benefits. They are paid $3707.00 annual salary.

Thanks,

Mary

RE: benefits

From: / Michelle Geiermann <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

They do not receive any benefits at all.Just a bi-weekly salary for their meetings.

From: Dale Westrick [mailto:
Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2010 1:54 AM
To:
Subject: benefits

Wed, April 28, 2010 8:33:16 AM

RE: benefits

From: / Bates Township Clerk <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

Mr. Westrick,

Our Board Members – Supervisor, Clerk, Treasurer and Trustee’s receive no benefits at all.

Barbara Moncivais

Bates Township Clerk

Benefits

From: / Julie Seguin <>
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To: /
Dale,
Burdell Township, Osceola County, Michigan oficials are considered part time and receive none of the additional benifits you have mentioned.
Laura A. Peterson
Burdell Township Clerk

Mon, April 26, 2010 10:07:26 AM

RE: benefits

From: / Anna Goodsell <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

Our Trustees receive a $30,000 Life insurance policy, and 13% pension contributions. That is all

Anna Goodsell, CMC

Clerk

Charter Township of Comstock

PO Box 449

Comstock, MI 49041

269.381.2360 phone

269.381.4328 fax

Fri, April 23, 2010 11:27:12 AM

RE: benefits

From: / Bonnie Blackledge <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

I assume you’re talking about the trustees only and not the executive officers – supervisor, clerk, and treasurer. If so, no health care, life insurance or other benefits except for pension at 12%.

Bonnie ShupeBlackledge

Cannon Township Clerk

6878 Belding Road NE

Rockford, MI 49341

Direct line: 616-884-2204

Cell phone: 616-204-0085

Web site:

Fri, April 23, 2010 10:51:26 AM

RE: benefits

From: / "" <>
View Contact
To: /

No they do not.
-----Original Message-----
Date: Thursday, April 22, 2010 2:07:29 pm
To:
From: "Dale Westrick" <
Subject: benefits

Fri, April 23, 2010 8:38:03 AM

RE: benefits

From: / Joel Hondorp <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

Our trustees get 10.5% every year towards a pension.

Joel H. Hondorp, CMC

Byron Township Clerk

616-878-9104

All views represented do not necessarily represent those of Byron Township

Re: benefits

From: / Burt Township Clerk's Office <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>
clerk.vcf (1KB)

nothing

Thu, April 22, 2010 3:47:09 PM

Re: benefits

From: / Burt Township Clerk's Office <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>
clerk.vcf (1KB)

nothing

Thu, April 22, 2010 3:41:26 PM

RE: benefits

From: / Ron Goodyke <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

Cascade contributes 10% to a define contribution plan (John Hancock)for all elected officials. Employees get 10% for their defined benefit plan with MERS. Ron

Mon, April 19, 2010 2:56:29 PM

Re: benefits

From: / Bonnie Sytsma <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

Dear Dale:
Cooper Township Trustees receive 15% of their gross wages for a pension ( $292.50 a year). Trustees do not receive health care, life insurance, or any other benefits. Trustees are paid $130.00 per meeting.
Bonnie Sytsma, CMC
Cooper Charter Township

Fri, April 16, 2010 4:38:02 PM

RE: benefits

From: / Evan Hope <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

Trustees get nothing beyond their salary.

Thanks,

Evan

RE: benefits

From: / Marilynn Crosby <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

Courtland Township does not have any benefits for any ofour elected officials.

Re: benefits

From: / "PAT MEAD , Clerk, Benzonia Twp" <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

we do not have health benefits for trustts

Wed, April 14, 2010 9:56:19 AM

Re: benefits

From: / David and Sonya Wurm <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>
At this time none of us receive any paid benefits other than our Salary.

Wed, April 14, 2010 8:36:01 AM

RE: benefits

From: / "" <>
Add to Contacts
To: / Dale Westrick <>

Good Morning Dale,

Yes our Township officials and office staff that work a minimum of 20 hours per week get a pension. This is the only benefit that they receive. The only benefit that our fire department receives is life insurance. Hope this helps,

Take Care,

TiraO'Lone

Township Clerk

Re: benefits

From: / Sandra Humpert <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

Frankenmuth Township Officials do not receive any benefits.
Sandy Humpert

Tue, April 13, 2010 8:33:37 AM

RE: benefits

From: / Robert Crawford <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

Dale, our trustees only receive 401A pension benefits.

Rob Crawford

Charter Township of Fort Gratiot Clerk

Tue, April 13, 2010 8:27:28 AM

RE: benefits

From: / Debbie at Frankenlust Twp <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

Hi Dale,

Our Trustees have only 2 benefits other than salary. They have a pension and life insurance.

Debbie Gibbon

Secretary

Frankenlust Twp.

Tue, April 13, 2010 8:06:38 AM

RE: benefits

From: / Tom Broecker <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

Good Morning,

Fenton Township elected officials receive the following benefits in addition to salary:

  1. Term life insurance policy - $40,000 coverage; only in effect while in office.
  2. 401a defined contribution pension plan. 5% mandatory contribution from participant. 10% employer contribution.

No other benefits. Please let me know if you need anything else. Thanks and have a great day.

Thomas Broecker

Operations Manager/Deputy Clerk

Charter Township of Fenton

810-629-1537

RE: benefits

From: / Mark Wolschon <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

None of our township officials receive anything like this

Webmaster for Coldsprings and Excelsior township Kalkaska county mi

Mark Wolschon

Mon, April 12, 2010 11:35:40 PM

RE: benefits

From: / Tammy Prout <>
Add to Contacts
To: /

Our township only provides for retirement as a benefit to our trustee's.
Sincerely,
Denver Township Clerk
Tammy Prout

RE: benefits

From: / Cindy Harwood <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

Our trustees do not get healthcare, or life insurance. They only get a salary and a pension.

Cindy

Mon, April 12, 2010 8:52:27 PM

Re: benefits

From: / Kimberly Hinkley <>
View Contact
To: /

Dale,
Our trustee's are part-time as all of our officers are and they only receive a monthly salary.
Thanks,

Mon, April 12, 2010 8:28:46 PM

Re: From Fremont Web

From: / John Schimmelmann <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

Our trustees are paid $110.00 per month, plus $35.00 if they attend meetings related to the business of the township. Meetings must have prior approval. Hope this helps. John

On Apr 12, 2010, at 6:00 PM, Dale Westrick wrote:

Mon, April 12, 2010 12:50:45 PM

Re: benefits

From: / Bruce Township <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

Dale,

None of our board receives any type of benefit.

Ruth LaJoie, Treasurer

----- Original Message -----

Sun, April 4, 2010 4:12:57 PM

Re: benefits

From: / Champion Township <>
Add to Contacts
To: / Dale Westrick <>
Dear Dale,
Champion Township does not offer any benefits to any township board members, including trustees. We pay FICA for social security.
Cheryl Koppinger, Clerk

Fri, April 2, 2010 9:57:04 AM

RE: benefits

From: / Joel Hondorp <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

They receive at 10.5% pension based on their salary.

Joel H. Hondorp, CMC

Byron Township Clerk

616-878-9104

All views represented do not necessarily represent those

Thu, April 1, 2010 5:20:11 PM

RE: benefits

From: / Rick <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

Dale,

We put 10% of the board members salaries into a pension in lieu of paying into social security. No other benefits are given to board members.

Rick Richardson, Clerk

Cambridge Township

Thu, April 1, 2010 5:01:02 PM

RE: benefits

From: / Linda Kramer <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

All of our elected officials, which includes our two trustees, participate in a defined contribution pension program. The township contributes 15% of their gross wages in lieu of Social Security. A group health care plan is available, but anyone who participates must pay 100% of the premiums. It essentially gives us access to a group plan, so we don’t have to take an individual plan. The group plan offers more benefits than an individual plan. That is all we have. Our population is about 2000.

Linda Kramer, Clerk

Charleston Township

Thu, April 1, 2010 11:45:30 AM

RE: benefits

From: / Bonnie Blackledge <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

Just pension - 12%
Bonnie S. Blackledge
Cannon Township Clerk
6878 Belding Road NE
Rockford, MI 49341
Phone: 616-874-6966
Cell: 616-204-0085
______
From: Dale Westrick [
Sent: Thursday, April 01, 2010 11:23 AM
To: Bonnie Blackledge
Subject: benefits

Thu, April 1, 2010 11:13:04 AM

Re: benefits

From: / Burt Township Clerk's Office <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>
clerk.vcf (1KB)

No

Burt Township Clerk's Office <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>
clerk.vcf (1KB)

No

Thu, April 1, 2010 10:31:31 AM

Re: benefits

From: / Phil De Lange <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

Dale,

Our township (Blendon Twp., Ottawa County, provides no benefits to our trustees, other than their annual allowance for the work they do.

Phil De Lange, Twp. Clerk

----- Original Message -----

Wed, March 31, 2010 2:58:15 PM

Re: benefits

From: / Berlin Township <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

Hello, In response to your e-mail this is how our trustees are paid. Our trustees receive a salary (paid each month) based on their attendance at regular board meetings.

They receive a "per diem" for special meetings in addition to their salary.

As elected officials, they also receive a 6.2% match contribution to the Nationwide Retirement Plan we have in place.

They receive no other benefits from Berlin Township. Karen Klos, Clerk

----- Original Message -----

Wed, March 31, 2010 11:52:03 AM

RE: benefits

From: / Sandy Kowalczyk <>
View Contact
To: / Dale Westrick <>

Dale:

Our 2 trustees are included on our pension plan. We do not have any of the other luxuries. What Township are you with?

Sandy K.

Re: benefits

From: / Bingham Township <>
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To: / Dale Westrick <>

Dale,

Our township trustees receive only salary, and, if applicable, per diems for service on other committees.