Argentine Township at a standstill as board deadlocks over clerk vacancy
Contractors may not get paid until a clerk is hired
ARGENTINE TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Argentine Township officials remain deadlocked over appointing a new township clerk following the resignation of former Clerk Gwynne James, leaving one of the township’s key elected offices vacant.
Township Treasurer Norm Schmidt said James resigned after working in what he described as a difficult office environment while also dealing with personal family matters, including her father’s declining health.
“She couldn’t put up with it anymore,” Schmidt said.
James’ resignation left the township without both a clerk and a deputy clerk. Schmidt said the vacancy has complicated township operations because a deputy clerk cannot continue serving in that role without a township clerk.
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The township clerk is an elected position responsible for maintaining official records, administering elections, processing township bills and performing other duties required under Michigan law.
According to Schmidt, James informed the township board of her plans to resign before the board formally accepted her resignation. Because the resignation occurred after the deadline to place the office on the November ballot, the township board must appoint someone to serve the remainder of the current term, which expires in 2028.
The township board has been unable to do so.
The five-member board consists of the supervisor, clerk, treasurer and two trustees. With the clerk’s position vacant, the remaining four members have deadlocked 2-2 on multiple votes to appoint a successor.
Schmidt said several candidates have been proposed, but each motion has failed because a tie vote does not pass.
“It’s all about experience,” Schmidt said.
The board has considered appointments during two meetings but has yet to reach an agreement.
If the board remains unable to fill the vacancy, Schmidt said state law could eventually require a special election to choose a clerk.
Schmidt said township employees are expected to continue receiving pay because payroll is processed electronically. However, he said an extended vacancy could create challenges in paying contractors and handling other financial transactions that typically require action by the clerk’s office.
The Argentine Township Board is expected to consider the appointment again at a future meeting.