HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 1961.06.26 - 19397Miscellaneous Resolution 3813 June 26, 1961
BY: Mr. Semann
IN RE: 1961 COUNTY LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
TO THE OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen:
This year there were 13 items included In the County% Legislative Program as
approved by the Board of Supervisors, At the conclusion of the legislative session, seven
of these items had been enacted into law and approved by the Governor. One was passed
by both Houses but vetoed by the Governor and the other five were either not reported out
of Committee or were withdrawn during the course of the session.
Enacted into law were the following;
Public Act 82, signed by the Governor on May 23, 1961, which is the amendment
to the General Property Tax Law recommended by the Local Taxes Committee and the County
Treasurer's office. This will permit the assessment of taxes either as one total sum or in
separate columns for each taxpaying unit. The columns are to be designated: "Combined
County Taxes", "Combined Township Taxes", "Combined City Taxes", and "Combined School
Taxes".
Public Act 66, signed by the Governor on May 22, 1961, authorizes townships to
contract with villages for fire protection,
Public Act 63, approved by the Governor on May 22, 1961, authorizes the Board of
Supervisors to fill vacancies when they occur on the County Board of Auditors. This legislation
was recommended by the Special County Government Study Committee. Under the previous
law vacancies were filled by appointment by the Probate Judge, the Prosecuting Attorney
and the County Treasurer.
Public Act 146, approved by the Governor on May 31, 1961, was the most Important
item on the County's Legislative Program this year. It is a new act which modernizes the
procedures for establishing lake levels. It repeals the old acts and sets up an equitable
procedure whereby the cost of structures and improvements may be charged back to benefited
properties. This legislation had previously been submitted by the County to the Legislature
the last two years and we are very pleased to report that the Legislature gave this law
Immediate Effect, making it possible for the County to proceed with the several petitions
now pending to establish lake levels in several areas of the County.
Public Act 114, approved by the Governor on May 26, 1961, adds a new section to
the Mental Health Law and authorizes the County to make collections from persons who are
legally liable for the support of those who receive care in mental institutions either on an
emergency or perma lent basis.
Public Act 73, approved by the Governor on May 23, 1961, authorizes townships
to execute contracts of insurance with any insurance company authorized to do business
within the State for the pensioning of officers and employees of the township and further
authorizes the township to pay any part of the premiums or charges for such insurance.
Public Act 151, approved by the Governor on June 1, 1961, is a new act recommended
by the Health Committee of the Board to protect the health, safety and welfare of the people.
It requires property from which sanitary sewage flows to be connected to available public
sanitary sewers. Available sewer under the act includes a sewer which "crosses, adjoins or
abuts upon the property 0 . . not more than 200 feet distant from a structure on such property
from which sanitary sewage emanates." This legislation also had the endorsement of the
Township Supervisors Association of the County.
Although it was not a part of the County's Legislative Program, your Committee was
apprized that due to the 1960 census the County would come under a law which requires a
jury to be drawn once in each calendar month, or 12 Circuit Court jury panels per year. An
amendment was introduced to raise the population minimum of the statute from 500,000 to
750,000 so that the act would have no application to Oakland County. This amendment was
strongly backed by your Committee and was passed as Act 90 and was approved by the
Governor on May 26, 1961. Presently, as it was before, five juries will be empaneled by
the County each year.
A proposed amendment to the Drain Code, which would have authorized the
reapportionment of the original percent of apportionment of drain at large charges when a
new city or village is incorporated out of a township territory, was a part of the County's
Legislative Program this year and was Irtroduced in the Senate, being Senate Bill 1137.
During the course of the session this proposal was included as a substitute on Senate Bill
1164 and was passed by both Houses. However, the Governor vetoed the bill on May 12,
1961. The veto message was directed to other sections of the bill than our section.
The proposals included in our Legislative Program which were not adopted this
year are
1. Proposed amendment to the Home Rule City Act to provide for separate votes
when territory proposed to be incorporated Is composed of a village and additional township
territory. There was strong opposition to this bill, which is typical of all bills that affect
home rule cities, by those groups which are dedicated to the defense of home rule cities.
2. A proposed amendment to increase fees paid to the County for approval and
recording of a new plat. The Committee of the Legislature was opposed to any new fees
claiming that this was an established function of government,
3. A proposed amendment to the County D. P.W. Act which would have permitted
the Board of Public Works to acquire, own and operate an airport in the County. The
Committee to which this bill was referred considered this legislation for the establishment of
a major airport to be premature.
4. A proposed amendment to the Village Act to set up a procedure for vacation of
a village. This was requested by the Village of Novi which was incorporated under a law
which does not provide for vacation.
5. A proposed amendment to discontinue payment of fees to Circuit Court Stenographers
in certain criminal cases. **mow( itkitttioitc€44a§toioftiviitatreAstetowvsmaksift>rairrorxiotninws
This legislation was recommended by the Sak,ries Committee to void double payment of compensation
to certain County employees. It proved to be a very unpopular proposal in the Session of the
Legislature just adjourned.
Cad- E,Ingrjgdm \William A: Ewarf
During the session there were many other measures which came before the Legislature
affecting the interests of the County which were either opposed or approved by your Committee
on an emergency basis. Several proposals to change the equalization process were introduced
and it was necessary for your Legislative Committee to cooperate very closely during this
past session with the Equalization Committee in making decisions on proposed legislation.
All of such proposals were opposed by the Committee based upon studies and technical
Information furnished to it by the County Equalization Committee, These studies indicated
that the proposed items of legislation would not be to the best interests of either the
equalization procedures or to the interests of the people of the County. Your Legislative
Committee desires at this time to express its appreciation to the Equalization Committee as well
as the Equalization Staff for the excellent cooperation during the past legislative session,
Your Committee is also indebted to the Legislators representing the County for their
cooperation and assistance in the success the Committee did have, which resulted in the
approval of 66.6% of all of the bills submitted,
It is not possible in a report of this nature to furnish each member of the Board with
the full details of legislation enacted during the recent session of the Legislature which
adjourned on June 9, 1961. However, copies of all of the measures affecting Oakland
County have been compiled by the Committee with the cooperation of the Corporation
Counsel and are on file in his office. Any member of the Board desiring to secure further
details on any particular item of legislation should consult with the Corporation Counsel.
MR. CHAIRMAN, on behalf of the Legislative Committee, I move that the foregoing
report be received and placed on file.
LE GfSLATIVE COMMITTEE