Early Voting in Michigan occurs nine (9) days prior to the November 5th General Election. 

The Ottawa County Clerk will again be utilizing the Grand Haven Charter Township Board room as one of four (4) Early Voting sites in the county during the November 5th election.

The list of all four (4) Early Voting sites in Ottawa County is noted below, and registered voters can utilize any of these sites:

• Grand Haven Charter Township Hall at 13300 168th Avenue, Grand Haven
• Georgetown Charter Township Hall at 1515 Baldwin Street, Jenison
• MDHHS Building - Macatawa Room at 12185 James Street, Holland
• Polkton Township Hall at 6900 Arthur Street, Coopersville

The date and times that Early Voting will occur are listed below:

• Saturday, October 26th - 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
• Sunday, October 27th - 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
• Monday, October 28th - 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 29th - 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, October 30th - 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
• Thursday, October 31st - 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
• Friday, November 1st - 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
• Saturday, November 2nd - 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
• Sunday, November 3rd - 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
• Monday, November 4th - No Voting

Grand Haven Charter Township will spend over $211k on the four election in 2024 – with the November 5th General Election being the most expensive of the elections.

To help offset the cost of the November election, the Township received an $18k grant from the Institute for Responsive Government for Elections, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization supporting the planning and operations necessary to ensure secure, efficient, and accessible elections. The Township will be using the grant monies for additional election workers, the cost of the absentee applications and the fees associated with the precinct location.

Bottom line – the Township wants the residents to be assured regarding the integrity and security for the upcoming November election.

The Township will hold a “Truth-in-Budgeting” hearing on the 2025 budget on Monday, October 28th at 7:00 p.m. at the Township Board room.

Some of the highlights of the proposed $22.27 million budget include the following:

• $1.74 million will be spent to support the operations of the Fire/Rescue Department, which is expected to respond to about 1,550 emergency runs during 2025.
• $654k will be spent to supplement the work of the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department, paying for a portion of five (5) deputies that work exclusively within the Township.
• $1.29 million for transportation activities, including:
• $614k for Harbor Transit on-demand bus service.
• $640k to supplement the work of the Road Commission and re-surface certain subdivision streets.
• $36k for three dust control treatments on gravel roads.
• The Ottawa County Road Commission will also spend $1.5 million to re-surface Lincoln Street from US-31 to 144th Avenue and will spend $816k to mill and re-surface Ferris Street from US-31 to 152nd Avenue.
• $1.25 million for maintenance of the 40 miles of pathways, sidewalks, and boardwalks, including resurfacing the Lakeshore Drive pathway from the Little Pigeon boardwalk to Fillmore Street.
• $735k will be allocated to maintain the Township parks.
• $203k to maintain and operate the Township′s two cemeteries.
• $142k for street lighting.
• $187k for storm drain maintenance.
• $1.89 million to operate the sanitary sewer system including $318k to treat an estimated 119 million gallons of sewage. 
• $4.92 million to operate the water distribution system including:
• $893k to purchase 806 million gallons of potable water.
• $1.13 million to complete a water main "loop" along Ferris Street from 160th Avenue to just east of Hidden Creek Drive.
• $785k to repair and paint the elevated water tank at 152nd Avenue and Lincoln Street.
• $443k for the operation and maintenance of the Township’s Information Technology (IT) system.

A copy of the Township′s FY2025 line-item budget is available for review in the lobby of the Township Administrative Building at 13300 168th Avenue and a complete budget packet can be reviewed on-line at GHT.org

The Township is looking to fill several committee positions, which are briefly described below. Full details of the positions and how to apply can be found on the Township′s Employment Opportunities webpage.

Downtown Development Authority Committee

• The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is a funding tool to help catalyze public and private investment in a portion of Grand Haven Charter Township. Funds can be used for expediting private development projects, putting underutilized property back to productive use, building/rebuilding streets and public infrastructure, as well as maintaining and expanding other public amenities.
• The Downtown Development Authority plans and oversees the improvements to the downtown district. The primary duties are the oversight and approval of infrastructure projects within the DDA. 
• The DDA generally meets once or twice a year.

Housing Board of Appeals

• The Housing Board of Appeals is empowered to hear appeals from decisions of the Community Development Department concerning the denial, suspension, or revocation of rental certificates of compliance under Ordinance No. 605. The Housing Board of Appeals may affirm, reverse, or modify the decision of the Community Development Department in accordance with the standards set forth in the Ordinance.
• The Housing Board of Appeals meets as needed.

Planning Commission Committee

• Planning Commission members are responsible for planning land use, recommending zoning ordinance amendments, approving site plans, and other duties related to the Master Plan. A background in development and construction is preferred. 
• The Planning Commission meets the first and third Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m.

Township Questions?

If you have specific questions about Township operations, please send an email to bcargo@ghtmi.gov .

(616) 842-5988  | info@ghtmi.gov | www.ghtmi.gov