ESCANABA, MI— The Delta County Board of Commissioners will not continue to review an application to annex a portion of Escanaba Township into Cornell Township.
The Board made the decision at a meeting Tuesday night. The application would have affected 19,000 acres.
Commissioner Bob Barron was in favor of annexation. He said he had a potential contract for solar development on land he owns in Escanaba Township, but township officials wanted to limit the type of solar panels installed. Other commissioners accused him of conflict of interest.
Escanaba Township threatened to sue if commissioners continued to review the application.
The Delta County Townships Association says Escanaba Township would have lost board and planning commission members, tax revenue, and revenue sharing. And Cornell Township would have shouldered a bigger burden related to roads, fire coverage, and election duties.
