State Boundary Commission Sets Public Hearing for Dexter's Cityhood Petition

Residents of Dexter Village will have a chance to voice their opinion for or against the village's proposed cityhood at a public hearing for incorporation with the State Boundary Commission on Jan. 17, 2012.

The public hearing is the next step in the village's ongoing application to become a city. In August, Dexter's petition as "legally insufficient." At issue was whether a current Public Act 425 annexation and tax revenue-sharing agreement, which includes parcels in Webster Township, could be incorporated into a new Home Rule City.

The village appealed the commission's decision in October to the state Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, who and ordered the petition to move forward.

Assistant Village Manager Courtney Nicholls said the public hearing will address the boundary Dexter originally applied with — which includes Gordon Hall and the back half of the . The boundary was adamantly opposed by both the Dexter Area Historical Society (DAHS) and Webster Township. However, village officials said they have reached an agreement with both Webster and the DAHS and will request that the commission approve a revised boundary that includes only a small portion of the Gordon Hall property for contiguity.

"We hope that providing a unified front, the Boundary Commission will adjust our boundary to our suggested location," President Shawn Keough said.

The location of the public hearing has not been determined as of press time.For more information on Dexter's cityhood petition, visit www.villageofdexter.org.