Kent County's Smallest Village Faces Potential End in May Election

SAND LAKE, Mich. — A ballot measure scheduled for Tuesday, May 5, could dissolve the Village of Sand Lake, ending 157 years of municipal governance for Kent County's smallest village. The proposal would transfer the village territory to Nelson Township, a move that some residents argue would provide better management and financial stability.

The disincorporation measure requires a two-thirds affirmative vote to pass according to the Kent County Clerk's Office.

A Village Founded in 1869

Sand Lake was founded in 1869 and today has 484 residents. Located on the border with Montcalm County, the village covers less than a square mile. This marks the second time in two decades that a disincorporation proposal will appear on the ballot for Sand Lake voters.

In 2010, voters rejected a similar disincorporation proposal with 148 votes against and 57 votes for the measure during an Aug. 3, 2010 election.

Fire Department Dispute Triggered Petition

Samantha Gore, a resident who filed the petition to put the disincorporation proposal on the ballot, said the decision came from long-standing frustration over what she called mismanagement by the village council.

The village announced late last year that it would stop providing fire services to three surrounding municipalities Nelson, Pierson and Ensley townships due to cost concerns. This move prompted nine members to resign from the Village of Sand Lake council and planning commissions in March.

"I feel like there is not enough qualified individuals in our community and the Village of Sand Lake that can run the village properly," said Gore. "It's been continuously mismanaged."

Gore cited several examples of past decisions by the village including improper rezoning of the old Sand Lake Elementary School, selling water tower rights below value and cutting the police department.

"When we disincorporate, we're going to be better off," Gore said. "We're going to have a better government that's going to take care of us."

New Village President Defends Local Government

Village Council President Dan Hula, one of five new trustees appointed to the board in March following a series of resignations, acknowledged residents frustration with previous boards.

"I personally believe that the smaller government, at the local level, is better than a bigger government," Hula said.

Hula believes maintaining a village government will be better for residents in the long run. He argued that local government can respond more quickly to specific needs like fixing potholes or getting roads plowed quickly compared to county management.

If the village disincorporates, its local roads will be managed by the Kent County Road Commission which may not prioritize the village roads as quickly for maintenance.

"The county has hundreds of miles of road. We got a couple miles of road. So we're going to pay more attention to the roads here in the village than the county will," Hula said. "The local form of government is better for the locals."

Financial Implications

The disincorporation would not impact the village debt, Hula said. The village has a sewer system bond and a road bond, both of which would continue to be paid by Sand Lake residents if the village is dissolved.

Sand Lake residents currently pay a 13.93-mill operating millage, but that would be discontinued if the village were disincorporated, said Village Clerk Michelle Lewis.

The village also has a $200,000 bond to pay for a previous township hall roof repair, with the cost split between Sand Lake and Nelson Township. If Sand Lake is disincorporated, Nelson Township could opt to create a special assessment district to levy taxes specifically from former village residents to cover this cost.

Township Officials Navigate Uncharted Legal Ground

Nelson Township Supervisor told FOX 17, "We are waiting to hear from our attorneys as well as the county. I don't believe this has ever been done."

Kent County's Chief Deputy Clerk Robert Macomber confirmed the office has engaged legal counsel to review both the election law and statutes related to villages in Michigan to ensure compliance with next steps.

The original petition language states, "Shall the village of Sand Lake be disincorporated, thereby vacating its incorporation and causing all village territory to revert and become part of Nelson Township, as provided by law."

Currently, the county clerk's website lists the issue more simply as, "Shall incorporation of the Village of Sand Lake be vacated?"

Former President Mollie Doerr Seeks Peace

Former Village President Mollie Doerr resigned from the village board in March, citing threats to her safety at work and at home with her family.

"They've talked about my education, that I have no education. They've talked about storming my business, storming my house, setting my house on fire," Doerr said. "I am trying to be in good spirits. It's an extremely sad situation. But I think walking away and having some peace is what is right for myself and my family."

Doerr also addressed accusations surrounding the village budget and the decisions to terminate fire services contracts with surrounding townships.

"I would just like people to know that there was never any maliciousness, there was never any money that was stolen, nobody was here to benefit off of the village, and we certainly support the fire department," Doerr said. "We wanted them, and we had examples of them having a half a million dollar budget, having a more conservative budget, and not putting money into equipment which is already old and aging isn't the answer."

Uncertainty About Voting Eligibility

While the issue is already on the ballot, it is not clear whether everyone in Nelson Township can vote on it or if it will be limited to village residents only.

Gore is not sure what support will be like among Nelson Township voters. She argued disincorporating Sand Lake would have multiple benefits for the township, including gaining a business district and receiving revenue from Sand Lake's marijuana shop.

The Michigan Municipal League said efforts to disincorporate other municipalities across the state have typically been denied by voters. In the last decade, disincorporation attempts in the villages of Breedsville in Van Buren County and Spring Lake in Ottawa County have been turned down in elections.

Next Steps

The Sand Lake village board is waiting until after the election to see if the proposal passes before it creates a disincorporation committee, which is the next step required under Michigan law.

If the proposal fails, a Village President and all Village Trustees will be elected on November 3, 2026.

Sources:

• https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2026/04/why-a-michigan-village-is-voting-to-erase-itself-from-the-map.html
• https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/kent/voters-to-decide-the-future-of-sand-lake-in-village-disincorporation-vote
• https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/local/after-disagreements-fire-department-proposal-disincorporate-village-of-sand-lake-may-ballot/69-236ea6e8-3313-4f73-905d-1d4f693ebc74
• https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/kent/remaining-sand-lake-board-members-scramble-to-rebuild-village-as-former-president-seeks-peace