Frequently Asked Questions

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The Assessor is responsible for estimating the value of your property, which determines your Assessed Value. The Assessor does not determine your property taxes. Instead, the assessed valuation determines the overall share of taxes you pay. Because your assessment affects your property taxes, your assessed value must be accurate and fair. It is also important that you understand how the value of your property is estimated and what can cause property values to change.

The Assessor estimates the value of your property typically by first examining and collecting information on the physical characteristics of the property. Physical characteristics can include, among others, land and improvements square footage, whether or not the improvements include a garage, the number of bathrooms, and the nature of amenities such as swimming pools and fireplaces. MCL 211.10e requires assessors to use only the official Assessors Manual approved by the State Tax Commission and 

A property's value can change for many reasons. The most obvious is that the property changes: a garage, or swimming pool is added, or part of the property is destroyed by flood or fire. The most frequent cause of a change in value is a change in the market value.

To comply with the State Tax Commission guidelines, Texas Township is required to conduct field review of 20% of its properties every year (State Tax Commission (STC) Bulletin 2 of 2014 (PDF)).

The property review is to ensure all buildings and structures are accounted for and accurately measured. Property Record Card photos should also be updated at this time.

If you received a postcard, your property will be reviewed this year. Assessing staff will be going house to house measuring the outside of buildings and structures on the property. Staff will not need to, nor will ask, to come inside your home. They will also take digital photographs, front and back. If you are not home at the inspection day, staff will leave a door hanger at your door to let you know they have been there.

The Township Office will be aware of the schedule and who will be working in your property. Call the office if you have any questions about who might be knocking at your door.

Please call the Assessor if you have any questions or concerns.

State Equalized Value (SEV): 50% of Market Value or True Cash Value, commonly referred to as your property assessment.

Capped Value (CV): The formula is: Previous year's Taxable Value minus Losses (physical changes to the property) times the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or 5%; whichever is less, plus Additions (physical changes to the property), (TV-Losses multiplied by CPI (5%) plus Additions equals CV)

Taxable Value (TV) is the lower of a parcel’s SEV or capped value. Per Michigan law, TV can only increase annually by the rate of inflation or 5%, whichever is lower, except that the TV can be increased when something new is added to the property (Additions) or if the assessor discovers there is omitted property. TV can also “uncap” which means it increases equal to the SEV in the year following a transfer of ownership. TV can never be higher than SEV, but it can be lower.

Michigan law requires that all property be uniformly assessed at 50% of the usual selling price (True Cash Value). The assessment may be close to 50% of the purchase price but the property SEV is determined by investigating the other sales in the vicinity of the property. All of the SEVs in the vicinity of the property are set using that sales study.

Section 27(5) of the General Property Tax Act states: “Beginning December 31, 1994, the purchase price paid in a transfer of property is not the presumptive True Cash Value of the property transferred. In determining the True Cash Value of transferred property, an assessing officer shall assess that property using the same valuation method used to value all other property of the same classification in the assessing jurisdiction.”

Sale prices going down in the neighborhood will not be reflected immediately in your assessment. The State allows for a two year sales study. That study includes sales a much as 24 months old; those older sales produce a value that is at least 9 months behind the market.

By law, the only time you may appeal you assessment is at the March Board of Review. However, you may meet with the Assessor at any time during the year to discuss your assessment.

State law provides the next level of appeal at the Michigan Tax Tribunal. You are required to file a petition with the Michigan Tax Tribunal by July 31st following an appeal to/at the March Board of Review. Access petition forms.

The Principal Residence Exemption (PRE) (formerly known as the homestead exemption) exempts a residence from the tax levied by a local school district for school operating purposes. To qualify for the PRE you must own and occupy the home as your principal residence on or before November 1st (other municipalities may utilize a June 1st deadline) and file the Principal Residence Exemption (PRE) Affidavit (Form 2368) with the Township's Assessor. The exemption continues until the use of the home as your principal residence changes. When the change occurs, you must file a Request to Rescind Principal Residence Exemption (Form 2602) with the Assessor's Department. Proposal A and state law do not allow for partial credit. As an example, even if you move into a non-homestead property on November 5th, the exemption does not begin until the following year. Recent legislation has allowed the granting of a second homestead under certain conditions. A "Conditional Rescission" (Form 4640) is available when the previous principal residence is not occupied or rented and is listed for sale. Please contact the Assessing Department if you think you qualify for the additional exemption.

The PRE is different from the Homestead Property Tax Credit, which is related to your Michigan Individual Income Tax Return.

The Township Office is open to the public: 

• Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
• Friday from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm

Please note that passports are processed by appointment only.

You can fill out the below form and return it to the Clerk's Office either via postal mail or by Email Elections. Once we receive your application, we will mail you a ballot.

Want to vote absentee in future elections? Visit the Michigan Voter Information Center to join the Permanent Absentee Voter Application List to automatically receive your ballot applications by mail in the future.

View Absentee Ballot Application Form

View the current tax calendar and tax payment options here.

You may obtain a burning permit online or by calling the Fire Department at 269-375-4610. View the online burn permit form

Please note that there are limits on burning and weather-related instances when burning will not be permitted.

View more information about burning permits.

View property assessment and tax information.

The Road Commission of Kalamazoo County (RCKC) is responsible for all road maintenance and snow removal on public streets in Texas Township.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact RCKC at 269-381-3171.

Texas Township accepts passport applications by appointment only. To learn more about the passport process and the necessary documentation, View passport information.

Assessment notices are sent out in February each year. If you would like to question and/or appeal your assessment, you have 2 weeks to contact the Assessors' Office at Texas Township at 269-375-1591.

Kalamazoo County Household Hazardous Waste: 269-373-5211

The streetlights in Texas Township are maintained by Consumers Energy and AEP. If you have an outage in your neighborhood, please contact them directly. Below you will find the links to report an outage to your respective provider:

• AEP (Indiana Michigan Power) Outage Report
• Consumers Energy Outage Center
• Consumers Energy Streetlight Outage

At any time, up to and including election day. However, in the 14 days before an election, you must register in-person at the Clerk's Office and bring proof of residency.

Learn more at the Michigan Government Page.

You can register here at the Clerk's Office, as well as at any of the Secretary of State Offices. You may also register to vote by mail or online at the Michigan Voter Information Center.

Please note that in the 14 days before an election, you must register in-person at the Clerk's Office with proof of residency to be eligible to vote in that election.

Yes, anyone can vote by absentee ballot. If you'd like to be on the permanent list, please visit the Michigan Voter Information Center of the contact the Clerk's Office to receive an absentee voter ballot application for every election.

No. Election law allows for only the registered voter to obtain a ballot. However, you may pick up an application for an absentee ballot for your spouse and you can deliver a voted ballot of any member of your immediate family or any a member of your household.

No. Election law specifically states that power of attorney does not apply for voting purposes.

Being on the permanent list does not guarantee a ballot for every election. Rather, it means that you will automatically receive an application for an absentee ballot. The application must be completed and returned to the Clerk's Office in order to receive a ballot.

Yes, we have plots available in both Hope and Virgo Cemetery. Please visit the Township Hall to learn more about which plots are available.

We recommend you make an appointment with our Clerk, who will provide you with a detailed map of available plots. You can then go to the cemetery to look at available spaces. Once you've made a selection, the Clerk will help finalize the process, complete the paperwork and process your payment.

The cost covers the rights to the burial plot and the perpetual care and maintenance of our cemeteries. Please note that additional fees apply for grave openings.

Because the Texas Township Fire Department is a Medical First Response (MFR) provider, all firefighters are required to undergo medical emergency response training. Most of our firefighters are Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) or Medical First Responders (MFRs), and some are even Paramedics. When a 911 call is received for a medical emergency, there are many times when the fire department can arrive before the ambulance and begin patient care. Other times, we help the ambulance crew by assisting with patient care, removing the patient from a dangerous area, or even riding the ambulance to the hospital assisting the paramedics.

Yes, if the weather permits, and provided you first obtain a burn permit. Burn permits are free and can be obtained at the Township Offices. Burn permits allow you to burn small piles of brush, so long as it is done safely, away from buildings, when the wind speed is low, and there are adequate people and water available to control the fire. You may not burn building materials, garbage, etc. Please call the Fire Station with questions regarding burning or see the Burning Permits page.

Note: The Colony Woods area of the Township has enacted a ban on burning permits for their neighborhood.

Many times, several units are dispatched to the same emergency incident. The first unit may have arrived on scene, surveyed the situation, and informed the dispatcher that it was under control, or that more units were not necessary. All other responding units were cancelled and placed back into service, ready to take another call. Most likely, when you see an emergency vehicle go through an intersection "Priority One" (lights and sirens) and then slow down and turn the emergency lights off, they have been cancelled from the call they were going on, or requested to continue "Priority Three" (non-emergent, normal traffic).

Many of our on-call personnel equip their personal vehicles with lights and sirens. They are activated when responding to a priority (life threatening) call. If you see one of these vehicles coming down the street, treat them as you would any other emergency vehicle, by stopping and yielding to the right. These dedicated members utilize their own vehicles for Fire Department responses, and many carry emergency medical equipment and Automatic Defibrillators as well.

In situations when a scene is deemed unsafe due to a potentially violent patient or family member, or if there are dangerous drugs or weapons involved, Fire and EMS units may "stage" until the police department has secured (made safe) the scene. On fire calls, vehicles may stage until they have been provided an assignment by an "Incident Commander." Because of the number of things that must be done near simultaneously during a fire attack, it is important to only have those units/personnel that have an active assignment on scene, with the rest staged and ready to deploy.

The practice of cutting holes in the roof of a burning structure is known as ventilation. Ventilation helps firefighters inside the building by allowing smoke and superheated gases to escape, which eliminates some of the smoke in a building and makes the environment a little easier to work in, in addition to keeping the superheated gases from igniting an attic fire. Unlike the movies, it is normally pitch-black inside a burning building because of all the smoke. Ultimately, ventilation helps firefighters who may be searching for someone trapped in the building by eliminating some smoke and heat, or those who are trying to put the fire out by allowing hot steam to escape rather than come back at them and burn them. This helps us save people who may be trapped, and to put the fire out quickly, saving more of the building.

We use the Kalamazoo County Fire Dispatch frequency of 154.430 megahertz (MHz).

If your house is within 5 road miles from the fire station at 7110 W Q Avenue, and you have a fire hydrant within 1000 feet of your house, your protection class is 5. If you do not have a fire hydrant within 1,000 feet, your protection class is an 8-b. If you are over 5 road miles from the fire station, your protection class is 10. View a report on the 2012 Township evaluation.

Install a minimum of two smoke detectors, even in single-story homes. Install a smoke detector in each bedroom, in addition to the corridors outside sleeping areas. Also install a smoke detector in the basement, and at the top of stairwells. Don’t forget to change batteries regularly! A smoke detector with dead batteries is the same as no smoke detector at all! Watch a great video presentation from the International Association of Fire Chiefs about smoke detector placement.

Usually not. The "chirping" noise you hear usually means your batteries are starting to run low. Replace them as soon as possible.

You may drop them off for recycling at the Fire Station.

Get everyone outside and call 911. This is an emergency! Advise the dispatcher whether or not you, or anyone else in the building is exhibiting signs of carbon monoxide poisoning (headache, lightheadedness, nausea, fatigue). This will help the dispatcher send the proper units to your location. If no one is exhibiting symptoms, the Fire Department will respond non-emergent, to check carbon monoxide levels. If symptoms are being exhibited by one or more people, you can expect the Fire Department and EMS to be sent to your location "Priority One" (lights and sirens) to begin helping those who have been affected.

Although there is always at least one person on duty at the station 24 hours a day, they are sometimes called away from the station for emergency calls, errands, inspections, or maintenance functions.

If you have an emergency, always dial 911. There is an emergency telephone located in the red box outside of the fire station. This is a direct dial 911 line to the emergency dispatcher.

If you would like to speak with someone in person, please call ahead and request a meeting time.

We have seven full-time personnel, including the Chief, who are supplemented by 11 Paid/On-Call personnel. There are always two full-time staff on duty 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.

Our 6 full-time firefighters work 48 hour shifts with alternating days off. There is always at least one person on duty at the station 24 hours per day. The Fire Chief works 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Paid/On-Call firefighters are also dispatched for incidents via tone-alert pagers and respond to supplement the duty person leaving from the fire station. Many times, Paid/On-Call personnel are at the station to supplement the on-duty firefighter. In addition, all personnel are required to attend regular training sessions on various topics, and to complete required courses to keep their licenses current. These trainings are sometimes held in-house on dedicated evenings, and sometimes take place with other departments and/or on the weekend.

If other factors are the same, the probability of a visibility-related accident for a red or red/white pumper is greater than the probability for a lime-green/yellow pumper. Lime-green/yellow fire pumpers are significantly statistically safer than all red and red/white fire pumpers. These were the findings of researchers Stephen S. Solomon and James G. King during research in the 1970s and 1980s. Solomon is a practicing optometrist and consultant on color and safety. King is an electrical engineer who holds patents for electronic circuits that carry out numeric algorithms. Both have long-term experience as volunteer firefighters. 

For this study, Solomon and King analyzed data from the Dallas Fire Department, the Dallas Department of Transportation, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Because of this study, Texas Township began painting their vehicles the lime-green/yellow color in the late 1970s.

Many other departments around the country, including Detroit and Kalamazoo, also painted their trucks this color. Many departments moved back to red colored vehicles when the science of reflective stripes improved so that a small amount of stripes on the vehicle provided enough visibility to meet national standards. Texas Township has elected to retain the lime-green/yellow vehicles because of the amount of incidents we respond to on higher speed roadways such as West Q Avenue and Interstate 94. We feel this provides our emergency responders and area drivers a safer environment. 

See this article for more information on the study.

Please submit a FOIA request. If you need help call the Fire Station or Township office. We will need the date, approximate time, and location of the incident to efficiently process your request.

We do not offer CPR classes at this time. Please check with the Kalamazoo County Chapter of the American Red Cross, or the American Heart Association. They regularly offer classes.

Not at this time, our safety seat inspection program was unable to be supported by the current budget.

There are many variables involved in outdoor grill use on apartment decks and patios. There is no one simple answer to this question. Please call Station Number 2 for more information. Also, be advised that many landlords have their own policies for grill usage on their property.

Because this makes units unavailable for emergency calls, and may potentially damage pumps and lawns, we do not fill swimming pools or pump basements. Try looking under “Swimming Pools” and “Water Delivery” respectively, in the Yellow Pages.

No. Try looking in the Yellow Pages under “Fire Extinguishers” or “Fire Protection.”

Call the Fire Station at 269-375-4610. You can also email us.

If your business is in Texas Township; please call the Fire Station 269-375-4610 to schedule an inspection. The Fire Department has a cadre of certified State inspectors to help you with your fire safety questions.

No, there are no Tornado Warning Sirens in Texas Township. Funding limitations prohibit the Township from providing this service. Each siren unit costs approximately $25,000, and only have coverage for about 1.5 square miles. It would take about 13 of these units to cover just the residential areas of the Township. We recommend each home and business have a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio monitor. These monitors stay silent until severe weather watches or warnings are issued for our area, then they alert with a tone and then voice messages. Most units are able to be purchased for under $50, and are available at most electronics stores. Many monitors can be programmed for emergencies other than weather, such as community emergencies involving hazardous materials releases, flooding, etc. These are called "All Hazard Monitors." For more information, go to the NOAA website.

Not usually. Portage City, Oshtemo and Mattawan/Antwerp Township have their own fire departments, and cover those areas. However, on occasion, there are times when all departments work together, or temporarily cover areas for one another during a large incident. Examples of these times may include large incidents, borderline incidents, or incidents where both departments are dispatched. The Texas Township Fire Department, along with many other county fire departments, participate in mutual aid agreements as well, in which we assist departments requesting help on an incident, and also may receive help from those same departments should we need additional resources at an incident.

Each burial site is designated for one traditional burial, one traditional burial and two cremation burials, or four cremation burials.

No. Burial spaces cannot be sold or given away. They must be sold back to the Township for reassignment at the purchase rate.

The purchase of a burial site grants a right of burial only and does not convey any other title to the lot or burial space sold. Additional fees for grave openings will apply.

Markers must be of stone or other equally durable composition and must be placed at the head of the burial site with no more than one marker per burial site.

The Township will be responsible for the placement of all trees and shrubs and no individual planting of trees, shrubs, rosebushes, etc. shall be permitted. Please note that shepherds hooks or structures of any type are not permitted. You may place planted perennial flowers in urns or vases on either side of the memorial. No glass containers are permitted.

The current facility is not adequate for the township’s expanded staffing needs. We also want a facility that better meets the needs of our community while improving accessibility through having a Board Room/Precinct space on the ground floor.

The Township Board has selected the vacant site directly west of Texas Square Mall (where Louie's, Hunan Gardens, Ace Hardware and other businesses are located). A large factor in this decision was the ability for the Township to help facilitate the development of the Ring Road, providing greater connectivity in Texas Corners. As part of the Master Plan, the Ring Road is set to connect across this parcel. And ironically enough, this location was strongly considered for the Township Hall 20 years ago! 

The current proposed plan is to demolish a portion of the existing structure (where the current township offices are located) to increase available parking for downtown businesses and the thriving Farmers' Market while also increasing green space in the DDA.

The Fire Department and a portion of the existing structure (where the board room is located) will remain and provide additional space primarily for Fire Department operations.

The Township has been setting aside funds for this project since 2017. In addition to utilizing Capital Improvement funding, the Township has bonded to finance the remaining portion of the project.

The Farmers’ Market will remain on the existing site. By demolishing a portion of the current Township Hall structure, we will be able to increase available parking for the Farmers’ Market. Additionally, this increased space would allow us to consider new programming options in the future.

You can register at any of the Secretary of State Offices, the Township Clerk’s Office, the County Clerk’s Office, and other state offices.

You may also register to vote by mail up to 15 days before an election. Within the 14 days before an election, you must register at the Township Clerk’s office with proof of residency.

At any time; however, you must a resident of Texas Township for at least 30 days before an election in order to vote in that election. Voter registration must be in-person with the local clerk in the last 14 days before an election.

Learn more about voter registration at the Michigan Voter Information Center website.

No. Election law allows for only the registered voter to obtain a ballot. However, you may pick up an application for an absentee ballot for your spouse and you can deliver a voted ballot of any member of your immediate family or any a member of your household.

Yes, if you are a registered voter, you may obtain an absent voter ballot. With the passing of Proposal 3 in 2018, a reason is no longer required to obtain a ballot.

No. Election law specifically states that power of attorney does not apply for voting purposes.

Any registered voter may ask to be on the permanent absent voter list. Being on the permanent absentee voter list means that you will receive an absentee ballot application form for each election. This form needs to be completed and returned to the Clerk’s Office so we can mail you a ballot. Being on the permanent absentee list guarantees you will receive an absentee ballot application form, not a physical ballot.

Being on the permanent list does not guarantee a ballot for every election. Rather, it means that you will automatically receive an application for an absentee ballot. The application must be completed and returned to the Clerk’s Office prior to receiving a ballot.

The Michigan Supreme Court ruled on July 18, 2007, that a provision of Michigan election law that requires voters to either present picture identification or sign an affidavit if they do not have picture identification with them is constitutional and enforceable. (See MCL 168.523 for picture identification requirement.) While this requirement was originally enacted by the State Legislature in 1996, the requirement was never implemented due to a prior ruling issued through the Attorney General's office.

Due to this ruling, the County of Kalamazoo Clerk's Office Election Division and all other jurisdictions across the State will implement this new requirement beginning with the election on November 6, 2007. To implement this requirement, precinct election workers will ask voters for photo identification at the polls. The following are acceptable forms of photo identification, assuming they are current and a picture is provided:

Michigan Driver's License or Personal ID

Non-Michigan Driver's License or Personal ID

Federal or state government-issued ID

U.S. passport

Military ID

Student ID - high school or accredited institution of higher education

Tribal ID card

If the voter does not have an acceptable photo ID in his or her possession when offering to vote, that voter may sign an affidavit attesting that he or she is not in possession of a photo ID. A voter who completes an affidavit will be allowed to vote a regular ballot.

The width of the county road right-of-way can vary a great deal. However, the general rule of thumb is that the road right-of-way is 66 feet wide, approximately 33 feet on both sides of the center of the road. There are instances where the road centerline does not match the center of the road right-of-way. It is advisable to utilize Kalamazoo County's Geographic Information System (GIS) site to determine the actual width and location of the road right-of-way.

RCKC's policy for mailbox damage is as follows:

More often than not, damage to mailboxes is caused by snow pushing against weakened posts or hardware. Proper maintenance may help to prevent damage during winter maintenance operations. RCKC policy notes that an owner must clearly demonstrate the damage to a mailbox was caused by direct contact by road commission equipment.  However, if a snow shield is installed, the Board will not reimburse for any direct contact damage to mailboxes and/or snow shield.  The Board will not assume responsibility for mailbox damage that may be caused by snow/ice that is being plowed from the roadway. (See Mailboxes and Mailbox Supports)

Dead/dying trees located in the right-of-way are the responsibility of the property owner for removal. The RCKC may remove trees from the public right-of-way that is not designed for vehicular travel, but has the discretion not to do so. If a property owner wishes to remove, trim or prune a tree that is located in the right-of-way they must complete a permit application to work within the public right-of-way with the RCKC. 

RCKC Roadside Vegetation Management Policy

Trees do add beauty, color and character to our roadsides, but if they're too close to the road edge, they can be both hazardous and a potential liability for property owners, utilities and the Road Commission. RCKC has prepared a brochure that provides guidelines on the roadside planting of trees and shrubs, explaining what will not only meet requirements but also improve the likelihood of tree survival and reduced maintenance as the tree matures. 

RCKC Guidelines for Planting Trees and Shrubs Near Roads Maintained by the Road Commission of Kalamazoo County.

If a dead animal is causing a road hazard, or blocking the traveled portion of the road; RCKC crews will move the dead animal off the road and let nature take its course.  Their crews will make an effort, if they find a tag or telephone number, to contact the owner of a domestic dead animal. They will not dispose of any dead animals. 

While you may reside on a private road that is not maintained by the Road Commission, as a Township resident, you frequently travel on the public roadways. As such, all residents with a buildable parcel are assessed for the Road Maintenance Assessment. 

We can help you identify your zone with our online parcel lookup map. 

Because items are being placed in the right-of-way for collection, the Township has little recourse available to prevent individual refuse collectors (i.e. "pickers) from removing any items left at the curb. 

College Hunks will collect items that were left at the curb in the corresponding zone by 11pm on the Sunday prior to collection starting. Items placed at the curb after 11pm cannot be guaranteed for pickup. 

Please note that this service is only available for single-family residential homes and condominiums. If you live in an apartment complex or manufactured home community, your property is either commercial or industrial, or your parcel is vacant, pickup service will not be available.  

If you believe your items were missed, please contact the Township Office at 269-375-1591.

The Township has never offered a curbside bulk item collection service, so we don't have a baseline for estimating the collection amount. We have done our best to estimate collection and identify zones of ~1,500 homes - ensuring that our collection agency, College Hunks, will have ample time to provide thorough service in a guaranteed window of time. While the collection zone is six days, collection within a zone may be completed in a shorter period of time - this depends on participation and volume of items collected. If the pilot program is successful and there is support for continued iterations of this service, the collection window may be able to be reduced based on the data collected during this pilot program. 

The Township will not be offering any Dumpster Day events in 2022 while it pilots the curbside pickup service. 

The Township has contracted with Vander Veen Excavating, a subcontractor for RCKC, to remove tree debris (trees, branches, stumps) located in the road right-of-way (33' from the centerline of the road). Vander Veen was selected by Kalamazoo County through a competitive bid process and has extended their pre-negotiated pricing for cleanup efforts.

A designated Cleanup Zone has been established that includes parcels located between Q Avenue and R Avenue, from 10^th Street to 12^th Street, as well as parcels on Alidor and Phiant. You can view an interactive map at Texas Township - Tornado Recovery Informational Map (Colony Woods & Surrounding Area) (arcgis.com).

We encourage households within this zone to move tree debris in their yards to the curb for collection. Please do not pile debris in the road as we want to ensure our roadways remain open for vehicular traffic and emergency services. The Township will not be removing tree debris in private yards.

Round 1 Cleanup: Completed June 3 - 11, 2024

Round 2 Cleanup: Exact Dates are Forthcoming - Anticipated in Mid-August 2024

Round 3 Cleanup: Exact Dates are Forthcoming - Anticipated in October/November 2024

If you would like to report a missed pickup or have questions or concerns, please contact info@texastownship.org. 

Future right-of-way cleanup rounds are forthcoming. We do not have exact dates yet, but we anticipate the following to occur: 

Round 2 Cleanup: Mid-August 

Round 3 Cleanup: October/November 

Cleanup efforts are being funded by Township funds allocated towards recovery efforts and through County matching funds. 

Township staff continues to work with County leadership and Colony Woods neighborhood representatives on how the $130,000 of County funding will be allocated.

The Township continues to work with County officials, FEMA, and local agencies to understand if any financial relief will be available for households that privately funded right-of-way cleanup efforts. More information is forthcoming. 

There are currently no township-funded drop-off sites for tree debris. Residents are encouraged to contact local landscaping companies to coordinate drop-off. 

As of Friday, May 10, all roadways have been cleared of debris. This is an effort that was coordinated by the Road Commission of Kalamazoo County. 

In cases of fallen trees on roadways, the RCKC team has and will move the fallen trees outside of the road right-of-way to the adjacent property, clearing the traveled portion of the roads for the safety of the public. Relocated trees from the roadway will be left for the property owner’s use and/or disposal. If you see a pink flag near the relocated tree, please contact the RCKC within 15 days for tree removal options. Read their full public service message here.

You can contact the Road Commission directly at 269-381-3171 or via a service request at https://www.kalamazoocountyroads.com/contact.php.

The Michigan Volunteer Registry is organizing cleanup efforts throughout the County. Here you can register your willingness to volunteer your time and skills in this emergency. Registering places you under no obligation to volunteer.

The Texas Township Building Department assists homeowners with building plans and permits and can provide you with important information to help you understand the permitting and construction process, from application to completion. To get started, visit the Building Department webpage or call (269) 978-0715.

In Michigan, property Assessed Values are calculated every year, based on the property’s condition on December 31^st of the previous year (Tax Day).

Consequently, the values for the 2024 property taxes were already determined on December 31^st, 2023.

The Assessing Department will be inspecting the properties affected by the May 7^th tornado at the end of 2024. 

The Assessed Value will then be calculated based on the property’s condition on Tax Day.

Changes to the property, if any, will affect the 2025 property taxes.

Zoning is the regulation of the use of land. It is used to ensure new uses and/or structures will be generally compatible with others within the area where they are located, and to promote the welfare of a community by guiding its growth in an orderly fashion. Zoning is a legal, enforceable ordinance which is prepared by the Township Planning Commission and adopted by the Township Board. So, if your life is lacking in annoyances, a zoning ordinance can fill that void! While zoning rules may seem unfair at times, they are in place for the overall benefit of the community. 

If you are planning a project, always feel free to reach out to the Planning and Zoning Department here at Texas Township. We are more than happy to help you navigate the zoning requirements.

Locating Property Lines and Markers

The Township office frequently receives requests to help locate property lines. While we are always happy to support our community, please note that we are unable to provide this service. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to determine and verify the location of their property lines.

The Township staff can and will try to point you in the right direction, though! We would suggest the following avenues:

Licensed Land Surveyor: The best approach is to hire a licensed land surveyor. This can be an expensive option up-front, but it can save many headaches in the long term. Please remember, not all licensed land surveyors are created equal. Please do your due diligence and research into which land surveyors and/or land survey companies have the best track records for accurate and complete work. The Township cannot make recommendations on any surveyor or survey company.

Homeowner’s Deeds: These can also be very helpful tools. A homeowner’s deed should have a legal description of the property dimensions. Though the language in which these legal descriptions are written can be very difficult to understand, it is suggested to contact a trusted real estate agent or real estate attorney to decipher the legal description.

Mortgage or Title Companies: In most cases, mortgage lenders require a current survey. This is also a requirement for title insurance. We would suggest contacting either your mortgage or title company to see if they have a survey of your property on file.

GIS Programs: The Township uses an interactive GIS program, much like the Parcel Viewer found on the Kalamazoo County GIS and Mapping Services webpage. Please be aware, these programs only provide approximate property line locations. Using a GIS program does not take the place of an officially sealed survey from a licensed and reputable land surveyor or land survey company.

Property Pins/Monuments: Property pins/monuments are pieces of metal that surveyors use to mark property lines. These are usually around 30 inches in length and placed at every corner of the property when the land is initially plotted. Sadly, as many of us have come to realize, time takes its toll. Lot pins are not immune to its effects either. Most of these property pins/monuments have become buried over the years. Fear not! This is where a metal detector can be helpful! These can be used to locate buried pins.

No. Short-Term Rentals are defined as a building or portion thereof—including single-family residences, individually owned multi-family units, or accessory dwelling units—in which lodging is provided to the public for compensation for a period of 90 days or less. Short-Term Rentals are considered a commercial use and are not a permitted use in the Township's residential districts.

The following types of lawful rentals shall not be considered Short-Term Rentals:

• Bed and breakfast establishments

• Motels

• Resorts

• Campgrounds

• Transitional houses operated by a charitable organization

• Group homes, such as nursing homes and adult foster-care homes

• Substance abuse rehabilitation clinics

• Mental health facilities

• Other similar healthcare-related facilities

Property within Texas Township is designated by zoning districts, as part of the zoning ordinance. To determine if a use is permitted on any property, the zoning district in which it is located must be identified. This can be found on the Zoning Map PDF on the Township website by following the link below.  

https://www.texastownship.org/DocumentCenter/View/233/Zoning-Map---March-2020-PDF 

For the Agricultural and Residential districts within Texas Township, the maximum height for fencing in the side and rear yard is 6 feet. In the front yard, the maximum height is 4 feet. Fencing in the front yard can be no more than 50% solid.  

*For Riparian parcels, please refer to Section 36-5.4(3) of the zoning ordinance.

Yes. There are specific standards for Riparian Properties. Ordinance standards required for properties abutting lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers can be found in Ordinance No. 379. You will find the link to this on our website by clicking on the Ordinances tab on the home page, and then clicking on New Ordinances and Ordinances for Consideration in the upper left-hand corner.

Your front yard is an area extending the width of the lot between the front lot line or street line and the nearest point of the principal building. The graphic is intended to help explain this definition.

Yes. You do have more than one front yard. Lucky you! On corner lots, the sides abutting the streets are considered front yards.  Please remember that front yard setbacks and ordinance standards apply to each of the front yards. This is something that will make you mad at the Zoning Specialist.

The Township considers the yard between your house and the street the front yard. The yard that abuts the riparian (water) frontage is the rear. An easy way to remember this is to chant "Rear-Riparian!" "Rear-Riparian!" over and over. If you do this in public, people will probably avoid you, but it will help to spread the word!

A zoning review application must be completed for all accessory buildings under 200 square feet. An accessory building over 200 square feet does require a building permit. The application can be found by following the link below.

https://www.texastownship.org/DocumentCenter/View/218

It depends on the zoning district that you are in. Please see the table below, and make sure to click on the district in which you live because there is more important information you should know!

*Please note: For Riparian parcels, please refer to Sections 36-5.4 and 36-5.5 of the zoning ordinance.

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Accessory setbacks are different for each zoning district. Please refer to the chart below. Be sure to click on the zoning district abbreviation that your property corresponds with. This will take you to a neat graphic with more information that you should know about!

*Please Note: For riparian parcels, please refer to Section 36-5.4 of the zoning ordinance.

A Special Exception Use is a land use that the Township has determined needs an extra level of review due to the nature and/or intensity of the use. The Planning Commission will consider the impact the use may have on adjacent properties and the general health, safety, and welfare of the community. Conditions may be attached to any considered approvals to assist with issues of compatibility. Special Exception Use ordinance information can be found in Section 36-6.3 of the zoning ordinance.

The study is an evaluation tool to help guide future decision-making. No routes are guaranteed for construction — they are conceptual until funding, right-of-way, and approvals are secured.

The Trailway Feasibility Study is focused on the construction of paved trailways only. Crushed limestone, gravel, or other non-paved surfaces are not being considered at this time. Paved trails provide a more durable and accessible surface for year-round use.

The Township’s paved trailways are typically 8 to 10 feet wide. This width allows safe shared use by pedestrians, bicyclists, strollers, and others.

Yes. The Trailway Feasibility Study considers a combination of off-road paved pathways (separated from the road) and on-road segments (such as widened shoulders, bike lanes, or shared lanes) where appropriate. The goal is to create safe, connected routes that work within available right-of-way and existing infrastructure. These on-road and off-road facilities vary by segment. An overview of on-road vs. off-road proposed segments is included in the below link. 

View the Proposed Conceptual Routes

Eventually, the Township plans to pursue grant funding to support the construction of new trailways. Many grants require local matching funds, which the Township would meet through designated capital improvement funds and potential partnerships — such as working with the Texas Township Friends of Parks & Trails, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. 

However, there is no timeline for the construction of these trails at this time. No final decisions have been made, and no trail routes have been approved or funded at this time. Community feedback will help the Township evaluate options and determine if, where, and how future trail connections could be developed. 

The Township anticipates maintaining publicly owned trailways in the same manner as it currently maintains existing trails. Preventative maintenance activities — such as crack filling and resealing — as well as long-term maintenance needs will be coordinated and funded through the Township’s annual operating budget and capital improvement budget.

Some maintenance activities, like snow removal and mowing the area between the trailway and the roadway, are determined by policy decisions made by the Township Board. Currently, some trailway sections are maintained in the winter while others are not, depending on location and usage. These same factors will be considered for any future trail segments.

Final maintenance responsibilities will be determined as part of the planning, design, and funding phases for each trail segment after the Trailway Feasibility Study is complete. 

Routine and preventative maintenance costs will be funded through the Township’s annual operating and capital improvement budgets. To help support long-term maintenance needs, the Township may also pursue grants, partnerships, and other supplemental funding sources.

Final maintenance responsibilities for each trail segment will be determined as part of the detailed planning, design, and funding phases after the feasibility study is complete.

No. Not all routes would be constructed at the same time. The Trailway Feasibility Study is meant to identify potential connections and help the Township prioritize projects over time. Trail segments would likely be built in phases as funding becomes available and as right-of-way, design, and community support align.

No decisions have been made yet in terms of prioritization of the routes. The study will help determine which routes are the most feasible and provide the greatest benefit based on factors like community input, safety, connectivity, cost, and ease of construction. Routes that close key gaps and connect popular destinations may be considered higher priority, but final priorities will be set by the Township Board with guidance from the Steering Committee and public feedback.

Community input is vital to this effort. We are seeking input and feedback from residents, businesses, and stakeholders to help shape trail priorities and design considerations. This engagement process and public comment period will continue through August 1, 2025.

How to Submit Written Comments

• Online: Submit comments online
• By Email: info@texastownship.org
• By Mail: 7227 West Q Ave | Kalamazoo, MI 49009 (Attn: Trailway Feasibility Study)

Michigan’s Proposal A, passed in 1994, limits how much a property's taxable value (used to calculate your taxes) can increase annually. 

It’s set to rise by either the rate of inflation or 5%, whichever is lower.

It is mandated by the Michigan Constitution, with the inflation rate calculated annually by the State of Michigan.

The Township has no authority to change this increase.

Example inflation trends:

1. 2022: 3.3%
2. 2023: capped at 5% (inflation was higher)
3. 2024: capped at 5% (inflation was higher)
4. 2025: 3.3%

Even without physical changes to your property, your property taxes are likely to increase every year.

Operating costs for the Township have increased significantly in recent years, driven by rapid community growth and inflation—trends that are impacting many sectors across the economy. In particular, the cost of providing fire and emergency services has risen sharply. For example, the price of a fire engine is projected to increase by approximately 7% annually for the foreseeable future. One of our two existing fire engines is now 25 years old—well beyond its recommended service life—and is due for immediate replacement.

Establishing a Fire and Police Special Assessment District (SAD) would move these costs out of the Township’s general operating budget and into a dedicated, transparent funding stream. This shift would help stabilize funding for both general government operations and fire services over the long term. It would also provide residents with a clearer understanding of what specific assessments fund and ensure that critical equipment and staffing needs can be met as our community continues to grow.

The SAD will fund:

• Fire Department staffing, equipment, and capital needs

• A new dedicated funding stream for apparatus replacement will ensure that critical fire and emergency equipment is reliably maintained and replaced on schedule, enhancing the safety and effectiveness of our Fire Department.

• Dedicated law enforcement coverage through the current two contracted deputies from the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Department

• Relief of general fund support currently being used to subsidize fire and police services

If approved, the SAD would appear as a separate line item on your property tax bill. The Township Board would set the millage rate each year based on actual departmental needs. While the rate may change annually, it would be subject to public input through a required annual public hearing.

There are several central revenue streams for township funding, as follows: 

1. Property taxes for general operating (shown on your tax bill as township operating); 
2. Millage for fire services (shown on your tax bill as fire improvement); 
3. Road SAD (shown on your tax bill road maintenance, expires 2029);
4. State shared revenue (the portion of state tax revenue returned to the township); 
5. Additional SADs dependent on where you live (streetlighting, aquatic, etc.).

•  The township pays for two full-time Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Department (KCSD) deputies to provide dedicated law enforcement coverage throughout the township. These public safety services are currently paid for out of the general fund.
• When voters approved the Fire Improvement millage in 2020, it enabled the Fire Department to hire additional full-time firefighters—bringing staffing from one to two full-time firefighters per shift across all three shifts. However, the millage was not sufficient to cover the department’s full operational and capital needs. As a result, the Township has been supplementing fire department funding by transferring money annually from the general operating budget.

A Special Assessment District (SAD) is being proposed because it offers a more flexible and responsive funding mechanism for essential services such as police and fire protection. Unlike a millage—which requires a public vote and locks in a fixed tax rate—a SAD allows the Township Board to review and adjust the rate annually based on actual service costs and operational needs. This ensures residents pay only what is necessary to maintain service levels, without over- or under-taxing.

State law—Public Act 33 of 1951—authorizes the Township Board to establish a SAD and levy up to 10.0 mills for public safety services. However, we do not anticipate needing funding anywhere near that level. The Township is currently proposing to begin with a rate of 0.87 mills.

A SAD also provides greater long-term financial sustainability. Millage rates are subject to Headlee rollbacks and cannot be increased without another public vote. In contrast, a SAD can be adjusted each year to respond to inflation, changing service demands, and actual budget needs. Each year, the Township Board would hold a public hearing before setting the annual rate, allowing for regular community input and transparency.

The process to establish a SAD includes two required public hearings, giving all property owners the opportunity to provide feedback before the district is finalized.

In 2020, voters approved a new Fire Improvement millage at a rate of 0.9933 mills to support the Fire Department. This funding allowed the Township to hire one additional full-time firefighter per shift—enhancing service levels across all three shifts. However, the millage was not sufficient to fully cover the department’s operating and capital needs.

The Township Board is proposing to continue levying this existing millage. Due to the Headlee Amendment, the millage rate is subject to annual rollbacks. For 2025, the rolled-back rate will be 0.9741 mills.

The proposed Fire and Police Special Assessment District (SAD) would supplement the existing millage, addressing unmet funding needs and offsetting the portion of fire department costs that are currently being subsidized by the Township’s general fund.

The Township continues to align its financial and staffing resources to meet the demands of rapid growth and increasing service expectations. These rising demands have placed sustained pressure on the general operating budget.

In response, the current Township Board has approved several changes to better support the immediate needs of both the Fire Department and general operations. Unspent general fund dollars at the end of each fiscal year are transferred to the Township’s fund balance. Additionally, the Township has reallocated budgeted funds from unfilled positions or other line items—for example, the Deputy Superintendent position has been vacant since November 2024, and that unused budget has been redirected to support other pressing needs.

While these actions have helped fund temporary improvements and staffing adjustments, they are not sustainable long-term solutions. Establishing the Fire and Police Special Assessment District (SAD) would relieve pressure on the general fund and provide a more stable, dedicated source of funding. This would enable the Township to maintain recent service improvements, invest in long-term operational stability, and better plan for future needs.

The cost of providing public safety services is expected to continue rising due to inflation, equipment costs, and increased demand. At the same time, the Township’s general operating millage is subject to the Headlee rollback, which gradually reduces the revenue the Township can collect over time.

Ongoing transfers from the general fund to cover fire and police services significantly limit the Township’s ability to maintain current service levels and plan for future needs across all departments.

Establishing a separate funding mechanism for fire and police, through a Special Assessment District (SAD), would ensure that these essential services are funded transparently and sustainably. It also allows public safety expenses to be evaluated independently from other budget areas, giving residents a clearer understanding of how their tax dollars are allocated.

The Township Board has the legal authority to establish a Special Assessment District (SAD) under Michigan Public Act 33 of 1951. The process includes two public hearings, during which residents will have the opportunity to provide input and ask questions.

In addition to the hearings, the Board must adopt a series of resolutions to formally establish the SAD. These steps ensure transparency and public involvement throughout the process.

Without the SAD, the fire department will face continued underfunding, which could lead to reduced service levels, delayed response times, issues with equipment reliability, and deferred maintenance and equipment replacement. Township operations will also face underfunding and reduced service levels. 

While a SAD provides a flexible and responsive funding mechanism, the Township Board could also consider pursuing a voter-approved millage as an alternative means of securing dedicated funding for public safety services.

No. The Township Board has the legal authority to establish a SAD without a public vote. However, the process includes two public hearings where residents and property owners can provide input before the SAD is finalized.

Residents can attend the public hearings or submit written comments to the Township Board at info@texastownship.org. Meeting notices will be posted on the township’s website and public notice boards.