Oxford Village residents could get to vote on whether or not they want the cityhood process to continue if a valid referendum petition is filed with the state Boundary Commission by Monday, April 14.
On Feb. 29, Keith W. Cooley, director of the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth, signed the order approving the village’s petition proposing its incorporation as a home rule city.
Becoming a home rule city means the village would no longer be part of the charter township.
As city residents, they would no longer vote in township elections, pay township taxes or be represented by township officials.
However, Cooley’s order doesn’t become effective until April 14 or 45 days after the date of signing.
During this time, village residents can petition for a referendum election on cityhood featuring a ballot question asking voters a simple ‘yes? or ‘no? question ? shall the incorporation process continue?
In order to hold a referendum election, a petition signed by at least 5 percent of the village’s registered voters ? of which there currently are 2,313, according to village Clerk Dan Luick ? must be submitted to the Boundary Commission within the 45-day period to determine its legal sufficiency.
If a referendum election is held and a majority of village voters cast ‘no? ballots, Cooley’s order is ‘null and void? and the incorporation process is ‘terminated.?
If a majority of village voters cast ‘yes? ballots, then Cooley’s order becomes effective at least 10 days after the election and the incorporation process continues, which means holding another election at some point to select a nine-member commission to draft a proposed city charter.
The village must get a charter drafted and approved by voters within two years (from the date Cooley’s order becomes effective) to become a city.
During that two-year window, the commission has only two shots at getting a new city charter approved by voters.
If both charter elections fail, Oxford remains a village and part of the township.