Information About TheMay 3, 2022 Election

May 3, 2022 Election

What is the Zeeland BPW Proposal on the May 3, 2022 Ballot?

The May 3rd Electric Franchise Agreement ballot proposal requests consideration for a renewal of the franchise agreement that was established in 1992. This 30-year agreement allows the Zeeland BPW to continue its mission of providing the Zeeland area residents safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible utility service at not-for-profit rates.

Why is this franchise renewal being requested?

The current Electric Franchise Agreement confirmed in 1992 has reached its term of 30 years. The Board of Trustees for both Zeeland and Holland Charter Townships unanimously approved ordinances in December 2021 authorizing the renewal of the Zeeland BPW franchise. On May 3rd, Zeeland and Holland Charter Township residents have the opportunity to vote on this renewal.

FACTS

Zeeland BPW provides electric service in approx. 4.9 square miles of eastern Holland Charter Township and 17.6 square miles of western Zeeland Charter Township.
Upon passage of the ballot proposal to confirm an Electric Franchise Agreement on May 3, 2022, the Zeeland BPW will continue annual franchise fee payments equivalent to one percent of its gross electric revenues in each Township.
In addition to the franchise fees paid by Zeeland BPW to the townships, Zeeland invests nearly half a million dollars annually in customer energy efficiency incentives resulting in savings of hundreds of thousands of kilowatt-hours and reduced utility bills for customers.
Zeeland BPW provides Residential electric rates that are nearly 58% below that of Consumers Energy and Industrial rates are approximately 20% below that of Consumers Energy.

Official May 3, 2022 Ballot Proposals

Holland Charter Twp.

Shall the non-exclusive franchise granted for thirty (30) years by the Charter Township of Holland, County of Ottawa, State of Michigan, to the Zeeland Board of Public Works, its successors and assigns, for the transmission and distribution of electrical energy, to use the highways, streets, alleys, bridges, waterways and other public places in the Township to construct, maintain, and commercially use electric lines, towers, masts, poles, cross arms, guys, braces, feeders, transmission and distribution wires, transformers, other electrical appliances, related telecommunications and data transmission facilities to transact a local electric business in the Township, all subject to the reasonable regulations as the Township Board shall prescribe from time to time, and subject to the Township’s Zeeland Board of Public Works Electric Franchise Ordinance, be confirmed?

Zeeland Charter Twp.

Shall the non-exclusive franchise granted for thirty (30) years by the Charter Township of Zeeland, County of Ottawa, State of Michigan, to the Zeeland Board of Public Works, its successors and assigns, for the transmission and distribution of electrical energy, to use the highways, streets, alleys, bridges, waterways and other public places in the Township to construct, maintain, and commercially use electric lines, towers, masts, poles, cross arms, guys, braces, feeders, transmission and distribution wires, transformers, other electrical appliances, related telecommunications and data transmission facilities to transact a local electric business in the Township, all subject to the reasonable regulations as the Township Board shall prescribe from time to time, and subject to the Township’s Zeeland Board of Public Works Electric Franchise Ordinance, be confirmed?