Announcements
TOWNSHIP HOURS
The township does not regular office hours at the building. Clerk Val Locke will set appointments as requested.
Appointments may be made with any township officials.
To contact township officials, click here to find their email addresses or call 269-445-3941 to be directed to your party.
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
NEXT MONTHLY BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING is
THURSDAY, June 11, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.
Click here for June 11, 2026, agenda when posted before the meeting.
The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m., in person at the Township Hall,
24725 Jefferson Center St., Cassopolis, MI 49031.
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PROPERTY TAX PAYMENTS
All 2025 summer and winter taxes are now considered delinquent. Contact the Cass County Treasurer's office to get the correct amount to pay:
Hours
Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m
Closed on holidays
120 N Broadway
Cassopolis, MI 49031
Phone: 269-445-4468
The Jefferson Township Treasurer will not be holding regular office hours, so for questions or information please call 269-876-2254 or email treasurer@jeffersontownshiponline.org.
Treasurer Mendenhall does not have an office at the township building. She serves residents at her office.
TREASUER CONTACTS:
email: treasurer@jeffersontownshiponline.org
call: 269-876-2254
visit: 67722 N. Shore Dr., Edwardsburg, MI 49112
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TOWNSHIP ORDINANCE & ZONING MAP
Click here to view the 2024 ADOPTED ordinance revisions.
Click here to view the 2024 ADOPTED township zoning map.
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PUBLIC NOTICES
Notice of Public Hearing for Annual Truth in Taxation & Public Budget Hearing
The Jefferson Township Board will hold its annual Truth in Taxation & Public Budget Hearing on the proposed township budget for fiscal year 2026-2027 at the
Jefferson Township Hall 24725 Jefferson Center St, Cassopolis, MI 49031,
Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.
The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the proposed budget will be a subject of this hearing.
A copy of the proposed budget will be available for public inspection at the Jefferson Township Hall.
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Notice of Data Center & Battery Energy Storage System Moratorium Ordinance Adoption
NOTICE OF ORDINANCE ADOPTION – 1 YEAR DATA CENTER & BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM MORATORIUM PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that at a Regular Meeting of the Township Board held at 6:30 p.m. on May 21, 2026, Jefferson Township adopted a One-Year Data Center & Battery Energy Storage System (“BESS”) Moratorium entitled “An Ordinance to protect the public health, safety, and welfare by establishing regulations relating to a temporary moratorium on considering applications for Data Centers, Battery Energy Storage Systems ("BESS"), all related infrastructure facilities, and accessory buildings and uses within Jefferson Township, while the Township completes a study of the ordinances and regulations pertaining thereto and considers possible subsequent revisions to current ordinances pertaining thereto; to provide for severability; to repeal all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict therewith; and to provide an effective date.” Section I, Findings, contains detailed written findings of fact by the Township Board in support of the ordinance passage, including but not limited to that data centers & BESS may result in negative impacts on permitted land uses and may harm the public health, safety, and welfare of the public; that significant comments have been received by the Township Board on concerns about data centers & BESS; and that zoning and general law regulations need to be reviewed and updated to ensure that no interference or harm will come to other land uses or impact the environment and public health. Section II, Moratorium and Term, adopts a temporary one-year moratorium on the Township’s acceptance and/or processing of any applications for data center, BESS, and related infrastructure facilities and accessory buildings and uses. Section III, Extension by Resolution, states that the Township Board may extend the temporary moratorium by resolution to allow time for sufficient ordinance review and amendment. Section IV, Severability, provides that if any word or clause of the ordinance is declared void or unenforceable, it shall not affect the remainder of the ordinance terms; Section V, Repeal, repeals any ordinances or parts thereof in conflict with this ordinance. Section VI, Emergency Ordinance/Effective date states that this ordinance will become effective on the date of publication. A true copy of this ordinance may be obtained by contacting the Township Clerk, Valerie Locke, at 269-445-3941.
Date: May 21, 2026
Valerie Locke, Township Clerk
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Planning & Zoning Commission
The Commission will hold its regular meeting on Wednesday, July 15 at 7:00 p.m. at the Township Hall, 24725 Jefferson Center St., Cassopolis, MI 49031.
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COUNTY & TOWNSHIP INFORMATION
The Southwestern Michigan Community Ambulance Service (SMCAS) Membership Program is a family protection plan.
For just $45.00 a year, members pay no additional out-of-pocket costs for medically necessary ambulance transportation service they may require during the year.
The SMCAS Membership Program covers those individuals residing in your household that you claim as a dependent on your Federal Income Tax Form.
Click here to enroll or click here to visit the website for more information or to print an enrollment form.
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Township Opportunities
The Jefferson Township Board of Trustees is seeking appointment of a new member for the Planning & Zoning Commission. Training will be provided. For more information, contact Supervisor Dean Hass at roper31@aol.com or call 269-445-3941.
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Township Hall rental for events discontinued
The Board of Trustees voted to no longer offer the hall for rental in 2025. The decision was based in part on township officials not being immediately available to inspect the building after events and in part because some past renters did not responsibly close our facilities after events.
If this decision changes, a posting will be found here on the website.
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2025 Township Newsletter
Click here to read
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GET UP TO DATE ELECTION INFORMATION sent directly to you! Receive email or text notices. Click here to sign up.
The Michigan Voter Information Center is always available to check your voter registration status, election dates and other related details.
Michigan Voter Information Center (click here to be connected)
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ASSESSOR LAND VALUE AND ECF STUDIES
Contact Assessor Northrup with questions at shalicen@gmail.com or 269-587-0208.
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POVERTY EXEMPTION
MCL 211.7u provides for a property tax exemption, in whole or part, for the principal residence of persons who, by reason of poverty, are unable to contribute to the public charges. In order to receive a poverty exemption, a taxpayer must annually file a completed application form, and all required additional documentation, with the supervisor, assessor, or the Board of Review where the property is located. Read more...
Click on the forms below:
Form 5737 Application for Poverty Exemption
Form 5739 Affirmation of Ownership and Occupancy to Remain Exempt by Reason of Poverty
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PERMIT PROCESS
Please contact the following people directly for assistance: building, mechanical, plumbing, and zoning inspectors and assessor. Click here or DIRECTORY above for contact information. Click here or FORMS above for printable forms.
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MARIJUANA (MARIHUANA) ORDINANCES
Click on each ordinance below to read:
Adult Use Marijuana (Marihuana) Establishment ordinance
Medical Use Marijuana (Marihuana) Facilities ordinance
Township Hours:
The township no longer has office hours at the building.
Appointments may be made with any township officials.
To contact township officials, click here to find their email addresses or call 269-445-3941 to be directed to your party.
Please contact Dean Hass, Township Supervisor, 269-445-3941 x 9 for assistance.
Physical Address:
Jefferson Township
24725 Jefferson Center Street
Cassopolis, Michigan 49031
Mailing Address:
Jefferson Township
PO Box 188
Cassopolis, Michigan 49031
Office Telephone: 269-445-3941. This number will connect callers to Township officials.
Office Fax: 269-445-8274
General Inquiries Email: building@jeffersontownshiponline.org
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TOWNSHIP MEETINGS
Board of Trustees meets the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Township Hall, 24725 Jefferson Center St., Cassopolis, MI 49031 unless otherwise posted. Township residents and any other interested parties are welcome to participate in the Trustee meetings.
Please contact Dean Hass, Township Supervisor,
269-445-3941 x 9 with questions. Current meeting information will also be posted on the Township building and under ANNOUNCEMENTS here on the website.
2026-27 Planning & Zoning Commission
regular meetings will be held on the following Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. at the Township Hall, 24725 Jefferson Center St., Cassopolis, MI 49031 unless otherwise posted:
July 15
October 21
January 20, 2027 - Organizational Meeting
Additional meetings may be held as necessary.
Please contact Dean Hass, Township Supervisor, 269-445-3941 x 9 for additional information.