Supervisor

Dan Buyze

supervisor@piersontwp.org

616-636-8570 ext. 205

Tuesdays 9AM - 2PM 

or by Appt. Cell: 616-366-1615

Supervisor Duties

• Moderates board and annual meetings

• Chief assessing officer (if certified)

• Secretary to board of review

• Township's legal agent

• Must maintain records of supervisor's office

• Responsible for tax allocation budget

• Develops township budget

• Appoints some commission members

• May call special meetings

Clerk

Sara Burkholder

clerk@piersontwp.org

616-636-8570 ext.  206

Cell: 616-560-7927

Tues-Thurs 9AM - 2PM available by cell.

Clerk Duties

• Maintains custody of all township records

• Maintains general ledger

• Prepares warrants for township checks

• Records and maintains township meeting minutes

• Keeps the township book of oaths

• Responsible for special meeting notices

• Publishes board meeting minutes

• Keeps voter registration file and conducts elections

• Keeps township ordinance book

• Prepares financial statements

• Delivers tax certificates to superivsor and county clerk by Setember 30

• Must appoint a deputy

• Must post a surety bond

Treasurer

Kathy Hyrns

treasurer@piersontwp.org

616-636-8570 ext. 200

Tues-Thurs 9AM - 2PM

Treasurer​

• Collects real and personal property taxes

• Keeps and account of township receipts and expenditures

• Issues township checks

• Deposits township revenues in approved depositories

• Invests township funds in approved investment vehicles

• Collects delinquent personal property tax

• Responsible for jeopardy assessments in collecting property tax

• Collects mobile home specific tax

• Must appoint a deputy

• Must post a surety bond

Deputy Supervisor

Lance Gates

depsupervisor@piersontwp.org

616-636-8570 ext. 207

Deputy Supervisor Duties​

• Assist Supervisor, Zoning Administrator and Assessor

Deputy Clerk

Ginny Pennington

depclerk@piersontwp.org

616-636-8570 ext. 207

Tues-Thurs 9AM - 2PM

Deputy Clerk Duties​

• Assist Clerk

Deputy Treasurer

Olivia Geerligs

deptreasurer@piersontwp.org

616-636-8570 ext. 201

Tues-Thurs 9AM - 2PM

Deputy Treasurer

• Assist Treasurer

Trustee

Jason Bergman

trustee1@piersontwp.org

616-799-2280

Trustee​

• Township legislators, required to vote on all issues

• Responsible for township's fiduciary health

• Other duties as assigned by board

Trustee

Bill Grice

trustee2@piersontwp.org

616-799-1261

​Trustee​

• Township legislators, required to vote on all issues

• Responsible for township's fiduciary health

• Other duties as assigned by board

Cemetery Administrator

Connie Brown

616-696-3237

Cemetery Administrator​

• Maintains Cemetery logs

Pierson Township

Planning Commission

• Chair: Jim Ward: 231-250-6988

• Bill Grice: 616-799-1261

• Donna Ericksen: 616-363-6066

• Tyler Lecceadone: 616-821-1277

• Orvin Moore: 616-302-5000

Assessor

Carl Schuitema

assessor@piersontwp.org

616-636-8570 ext. 202

Home Phone. 616-675-4905

By Phone: Mon-Fri 9-5

Office: Tuesday 9-2

Responsible for overall direction and management of Township's property appraisal program. Oversees identifying, inventorying, determining market values and calculating assessed valuation for all Township properties in accordance with the State Tax Commission regulations, methods and procedures to ensure fair and equitable assessments. Maintains accurate homestead and property transfer information in compliance with applicable State laws. 

Scope of Services

• *Must possess and maintain a level III certification or higher.

• *Must possess and maintain a Personal Property Examiners Certification

• *Maintain proficiency in BS&A / Equalizer software.

• *Maintain current knowledge regarding assessing-related technology, market trends and pending legislation pertaining to taxation and other developments in the property assessment field A presence in the township is required to address the citizen questions and concerns. 

• *Plan, supervise and participate in the appraisal and assessment of all real and personal properties in the Township in accordance with state law and the perform onsite inspections in order to determine the value of any new construction.

• *Works with the Township Zoning Administrator regarding new construction in order to update property records.

• *Develops policies and procedures in determining true cash value of assessable real and personal property including locating, identifying and inventorying quantity and characteristic of the property for determining appropriate value and classification. 

• *Oversee maintenance of departmental files including property records/cards, physical date, legal description, splits and combinations of parcels, and ownership transfers.

• *Assist the Township with the production of the Summer and Winter Tax Rolls.

• *Supervises and participates in the preparation of the property assessment roll for presentation to the Board of Review

• *supervises adjustments of the tax roll directed by the BOR and/or Michigan Tax Tribunal

• *participates in BOR sessions and compiles results and oversees preparation of letters and reports associated with this process.

• *Meet with taxpayers regarding assessment determinations and to explain appeal procedures.

• *Represent the Township in defense of existing and future assessment appeals to the Board of Review, the Small Claims division of the Michigan Tax Tribunal, and the full Michigan Tax Tribunal.

• *Files all necessary State and County reports pertaining to the Assessment and Tax Rolls.

• *Process all Personal Residence Exemptions (PREs), rescission, and Property Transfer Affidavits and Transfer Deeds.

• *Process Personal Property Statements, including conducting inspections to ensure an up-to-date list of personal property.

• *Process property splits.

• *Perform any other duties assigned by Township Board, or Supervisor.

Pierson Township

Zoning Board of Appeals

• Vacancy

• Michael Julien: 616-481-0582 

• Jim Ward: 231-937-4851

• Jack Gravelyn (Alt): 231-937-5121

• Dave Tibbe (Alt): 616-299-0861

• Orvin Moore: 616-302-5000

Pierson Township

Board of Review

• Kathi Coffin

• Jack Gravelyn: 231-937-5121

• John Patterson

• Carl Schuitema (Assessor):
  Hours: Tues. 9-2 

• PH: 616-675-4905 

Pierson Township

Road Committee

• Jason Bergman:  616-799-2280

• Mark Mumah: 616-481-6915 

• Steve Matzen: 616-557-3022

• Dave Tibbe: 616-299-0861

• Cory Wall: 616-835-6161

Pierson Township

Park & Recreation Committee

• Sara Burkholder 616-560-7927

• Kristy Lecceadone: 616-481-6291

• Tom Boman: 616-894-8040

• Rainell Carle

• Brenda Weed 

Pierson Township

Community & Economic Growth Committee

• Sara Burkholder 616-560-7927

• Deb Becker-Fountain

• Merry Beth Duffy

• 2- Vacancies - could this be YOU??

• Roger Rockburn

Solid Waste Citizens

Advisory Council

• Central Sanitary Landfill
  Roger Rockburn: 616-292-8114

• Republic Services - Todd Harland

• County Commissioner - vacancy
   

Pierson Township

Sewer Advisory Committee

• Vacancy

       BWL: Mary Underwood 

• Miles Underwood

       BWL: 616-540-2040

• Brent Boden: 616-218-7742

• Steve Campbell: 616-302-3844

• Dan Buyze (Supervisor): 616-266-1615

• Vacancy - County Comm.  

Zoning

Orvin Moore

zoning@piersontwp.org

616-302-5000

Deputy Supervisor Lance Gates covering Winter Hours: Tues 2:30-5:30 and Thurs afternoon by appointment.

​

Tuesdays 9 am - 4:30 pm

or by appointment

Zoning Administration 

1. Must become thoroughly familiar with the zoning ordinance and appropriate form.

2. Responsible for the overall administration and enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance.

3. Accepts and reviews zoning permit applications. Determines compliance with the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance and completeness of the application.

4. Issues the appropriate land-use permit when all provisions of the Ordinance are in compliance and maintains a complete file of permits issued. Notifies applicant, in writing, if the proposed use is not in compliance with ordinance standards, and assists with an appropriate alternative administrative remedies necessary to attain compliance.

5. Performs inspection duties to ensure land use changes are in compliance with the Zoning Ordinance. The use of check lists and instruction lists is required.

6. Identifies, inventories, and monitors nonconforming uses.

7. Attends Planning Commission (Zoning Board) meetings, as needed, to report on zoning issues and advise on issues related to zoning administration. Evening meetings can be expected.

8. Review, inspect, and approve all property splits (land divisions, platted subdivision splits and combinations, and properties exempt from land division).

9. Conducts technical reviews, site inspections, and makes staff reports to the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals on specific project proposals such as, but not limited to, special use permit applications, conditional use permit applications, zoning amendments, variances, and appeals.

10. Ability to write with clarity, to carry basic communications with permit applicants, related government agencies and other offices as necessary. 

Zoning Enforcement 

1. Investigates alleged violations of the Ordinance and advises landowners/applicants of necessary corrective measures. Keeps an inventory of said violations, including dated photographs and/or other evidence.

2. Presents case facts and explains decisions of the Zoning Administrator’s office before the Board of Appeals.

3. Attends meetings and follows the directives of the Zoning Board of Appeals, usually at evening meetings.

4. Develops recommendations regarding zoning amendments, zoning permit fee structures, zoning forms; and may propose solutions to any problem encountered in administering the Zoning Ordinance.

5. Coordinates the enforcement of the zoning ordinance with the enforcement of other related land use statutes and codes by active cooperation with other appropriate agencies. 

Office Administration

 1. Submits, at least monthly, (1) transmittal of zoning permit fees collected, (2) cash, and (3) checks to the treasurer.

2. Submits one copy of the zoning permit applications to the tax assessor in a timely manner.

3. Administers and follows procedures and policies established for the office.

4. Distributes zoning ordinances to Planning Commission Member, Zoning Board of Appeals, and to the public.

5. Keeps the zoning map, text, and office records up-to-date by recording all amendments and retaining all official documents; and makes copies of the zoning ordinance available to the public.

6. Works with the appropriate staff or offices (such as but not limited to, Township Clerk, Planning Commission, Board of Appeals, secretary) to prepare, publish, post, send and/or deliver public notices and/or meetings and hearings.

7. Turns in written report (each month or frequent) to the legislative body, which itemizes mileage and expenses and hours worked.

8. Turns in written (annual, or more frequent) reports which includes: permit issues/denials, appeals, request for amendments, request for variances, and other pertinent zoning administration information.

9. Attends meetings of the legislative body, as necessary, usually evening meetings. 

Public Relations, Assistance, Personal Development 

1. Ability to work and communicate with elected and appointed officials, and the public, with appropriate etiquette and diplomacy.

2. Assists the general public, applicants, developers, and their representatives with zoning inquiries, proposals, and applications. Directs the individual(s) to the proper agency/agencies for other needed permits.

3. Ability to address various service groups and work with the media concerning zoning issues within the municipality.

4. Attends professional schools, seminars, and/or conferences as needed to stay up-to-date on laws, zoning trends, and other information pertinent to zoning.

5. Be accessible to the public by appointment and cell phone. 

Other 

1. Performs other duties as may be specified by the Zoning Ordinance.

2. Accepts other responsibilities as may be directed by the (Planning Commission, Zoning Board, Township Board, Supervisor) as applicable.