Why Are Neighbors Signing Recall Petitions on Oshtemo?

Many residents are just now learning about ongoing Township actions — you’re not alone.

• Nearly $600,000 in Township compensation increases were voted in outside the adopted budget — including unbudgeted mid-year raises ($100k), reclassification into higher municipal pay scales at 100% of new ranges, enhanced benefits, and subsequent Board raises — while the Fire Department was required to reduce training expenditures by approximately $30,000 to remain within its approved budget.
  

• Utility-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) proposed near homes, and livestock — including a project along S. Van Kal Street — raising concerns due to documented fire and smoke incidents in other communities, emergency response readiness, and potential environmental and water impacts.
  

• Mandatory sewer expansions, with additional neighborhoods required to connect despite objections, resulting in significant connection costs and special assessments for residents.
  

• FOIA requests that multiple residents report were not fully fulfilled, including written responses stating that additional Township communication records were not required to be produced.
  

• Budgeting and capital decisions involving unusually large year-to-year fund carryovers, a reported $24 million increase in Township assets, and projects advanced on the assumption that partial grant funding justifies major long-term resident-funded obligations.
  

• Expanded and stricter parking and site regulations affecting schools, churches, businesses, and residential properties — viewed by many residents as regulatory overreach.
  

• Expanded sidewalk mandates approved by the Board despite public and media opposition, with unclear requirements and uncapped costs borne by property owners.

  
  

• Resident emails and phone calls regarding questions, zoning, infrastructure, and development that residents report were not returned or acknowledged. 
  

• Property assessment classification concerns have also been raised regarding property assessment classifications that residents believe were applied inconsistently across many properties, affecting tax treatment. 

  
  

Michigan law allows voters to recall Oshtemo elected officials when residents believe trust, transparency, or representation has been compromised. 

A recall petition is a lawful civic tool that allows residents to bring important questions directly to voters.

Signing a recall petition:

• Does not remove any official from office

• Places the question on the ballot

• Allows voters to weigh in now, rather than waiting through the remaining years of the Board’s term for major decisions to continue.

It's time to Recall Oshtemo Township Board Members:

Find a Petition Signing Location Near You