Benton Township Clerk's Department Manages $33.5 Million In Taxable Value For $112.

Do you shop local? 

We have always been big supporters of shopping local.

What about shopping for a local government? 

Is your local government giving you the best deal possible or are your local elected officials placing their personal interests ahead of yours? 

As you pay your Mullett Township taxes do you wonder where your dollars go?   

This year, more dollars are flowing directly to your Mullett Township Clerk, Rachel Osborn, as she works to create a full-time income from a part-time position.  Here is a Salary Resolution to raise Ms Osborn's salary by $1,000 a year. This is a raise exceeding 8%, ostensibly stated in the Salary Resolution to match other Township's rates of pay. 

After securing this pay raise, Ms Osborn then, with the entire Mullett Township Board's cooperation,  bestowed a new title on herself as FOIA Coordinator with an additional $1,200 in yearly pay. 

A part time elected position paying $12,000 in 2010 now pays $14,200 for 2011. That is a year over year increase in pay exceeding 18%. The Federal Government says: No COLA-There will be no increase in Social Security benefits payable in January 2011, nor will there be an increase in SSI payments. Ms Osborn just tapped the Mullett Township taxpayers for her unjustified cost of living adjustment.


Ms Osborn's salary is of course only part of her total department cost. But, it does now comprise the majority of the budgeted cost of her department. She also receives per diem payments for attending some meetings and additional perks including  a taxpayer funded credit/debit card used with little or no oversight.

Benton Township 2010 taxable value=$136,755,371

Mullett Township 2010 taxable value=$103,198,197

Benton Township Clerk’s Department=$24,937

Mullett Township Clerk’s Department=$23,625 PLUS $1,200 FOIA increase=$24,825

Mullett Township Clerk’s Department Budget after Ms Osborn’s $1,200 FOIA raise, implemented after the 2011 budget, is only $112 less than the Benton Township’s Clerk’s Department Budget.

Benton Township’s taxable value of $136,755,371 is 32.5% greater than the Mullett Township’s taxable value of $103,198,174.

Benton Township, with a Taxable Value $33,567,174 greater than Mullett Township, expends only $112 more for their Clerk's Department Budget. 

It looks like a good deal for Benton Township and a bad deal for Mullett Township taxpayers.

*All financial amounts are sourced from 2010 Cheboygan County Apportionment Report and published Benton Township and Mullett Township 2011 budgets.