Soon people living in the lakeshore cities of Saugatuck and Douglas will vote on a proposed merger of their local governments. The State Boundary Commission ruled today the question should be on the ballot in August or November.
A citizens group began the process to merge in 2011. The Consolidated Government Committeeis pushing for the merger to save taxpayer money.
“We have been working for this day for a long, long time,” CGC co-chair Bobbie Gaunt said in a written statement.
The State Boundary Commission recommended the merger in January.
But opponents collected enough signatures that now voters will have a say in the decision.
A group opposed to the merger, Citizens for Independent and Cooperative Communities, doubt it will save much money at all. They argue the neighboring cities work fine as is.
Only two other Michigan communities have merged in this way; Battle Creek and Iron River.
