SAUGATUCK, Mich. (WZZM) - The communities of Saugatuck, Douglas and Saugatuck Township, Mich., came together to discuss the financial advantages of consolidating into one city on Saturday, Nov. 21 at Saugatuck High School.
The business communities in the three areas are the ones who asked for the study; not the governments. WZZM 13 News was at their Town Hall meeting and learned about the financial costs and benefits of a merger.
"The first thing, of course, is saving money," said Jeff Spangler, an Anaheim, Calif., native, and Saugatuck city council member.
"Everyone's interested in saving money."
And if Saugatuck, Douglas and Saugatuck Township consolidate, the authors of a new study say that will happen.
"If all three entities came together they might save as much as $2 million dollars a year out of their operating expenses," said Adam Rujan, a management consultant for Plante & Moran in Southfield, Mich., who presented the research findings.
"If just the two cities, Saugatuck and Douglas, went together, it might be as much as a million dollars."
Consolidating three communities into one is making some take notice because "a lot of potential benefits here to the community in terms of combining services of saving tax costs, which could go into improving the businesses," said Scott Sullivan, a Wyoming, Mich., resident and editor of "The Commercial Record" in Saugatuck Township.
But some say it's too early to speculate.
"Cost savings is probably a definite plus. I don't know if ... I don't know how the tax situation is going to (develop). It doesn't sound like this is going to save money on taxes so, you know, I don't know," said Martha Hoexter, who is the pro-tem Mayor of Douglas.
"As one person brought up there's a lot of emotion involved. There's a lot of community pride that's involved too," said Spangler. "And it has to be factored into it. But let's see how it goes."
Research officials said the three communities started thinking about consolidating 20 years ago. If a consolidation plan moves forward, it could take several years to complete it and the Governor has to approve it.
The good news is that consolidation could save home owners money. In addition, property taxes could go down in all three communities but the actual amounts vary.
David Solano
In your voice
