Dear Editor:
Love of Numbers.
If you haven’t gotten to know her in these past 26 years while you were paying your taxes, this is an introduction to Nanette Havens, our highly accomplished Lima Township Treasurer.
She is on the August primary ballot and has been holding this job since 1997. Her background is employment at H & R Block, from which she retired in 2018. And it’s true that she LOVES working with numbers.
Nanette is in the township office on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. She has tried being in the office on other days, but people don’t come, so for the time being the one day works.
Residents can also give their tax payments to the Lima township secretary, use the drop-box, or email Nanette for copies of their bill as needed. The Lima Township Board of Trustees has recently decided to allow electronic payment methods with credit cards, which will require program training. Following that, Nanette will gladly expand her hours of availability.
Experience doing the job is Ms. Havens’ greatest quality to offer. She is a quiet, unassuming lady who has been a dedicated member of the governing board and a careful and deliberate keeper of the treasury. She believes the Board serves well, in not overspending or wasting money of the taxpayers. Laws limit what can be spent by a township; taxes are taxes, but the elected officials can spend on roads and the building. Money saved for the current building renovation and addition has been ear-marked for several years. If anything could be reduced for the taxpayers, her suggestion is that it would be possible to eliminate or reduce the administration fee (which is 1% on your tax bill.)
The most important job the Treasurer does every year is to do the “settlement” with the Washtenaw County Treasurer after the taxes are all collected. It’s an audit of every check to every entity that’s been written all year. Every penny is accounted for and a report is given to the Board. Nanette excels at this task.
Each of the 5 trustees is important for voting on issues and decisions in Lima. But the Clerk and the Treasurer are vital in that they are BOTH involved in bill-paying. ALL financial work is filtered through these two individuals, so it would not be prudent for a husband and wife to serve in these two offices. Ann Kwaske, our Clerk is running on the November ballot as an Independent, and her husband is running on the August ballot for Treasurer. Really?
Please mark your ballot for Nanette Havens for Lima Township Treasurer. She’s the right person for this job.
Sincerely,
Arly Spink
Lima Township
