The Township is considering a temporary data center moratorium while it reviews its zoning regulations. Click here to view: Data Center Moratorium

The completed subsurface investigation report for the Township-owned railbed property behind the Fire Hall is available here: Banks Twp Subsurface Investigation Report 

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MEETING NOTICE

To comply with the Michigan Open Meetings Act (MCL 15.265):

The Banks Township Board of Review

6520 Center Street

PO Box 68

Ellsworth, Michigan 49729

Phone (231)588-6126

e-mail: supervisor@bankstownshipmi.gov

https://www.bankstownshipmi.gov/

will hold a Regular meeting of the Banks Township Board of Review (BTBOR) on

Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at 5pm

In the Banks Township Hall, 6520 Center Street, Ellsworth, Michigan.

Banks Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as hand signers for the hearing impaired, audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting (and/or hearing) upon two weeks notice to Banks Township.  Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact Banks Township and leave a message which includes

(1) Who you are/how to contact you

(2) What meeting and date you wish to attend

(3) What aid you are requesting

Contact: Banks Township Clerk, voice phone, (231)588-6126; PO Box 68, Ellsworth, Michigan 49729; E-mail clerk@bankstownshipmi.gov.

This notice was posted by Alex Busman, BTBOR Secretary to comply with Sections 4 and 5 of Michigan Open Meetings Act (MCL 15.265) at12:45pm on July 9, 2026 on the bulletin board outside the Township Office and on the north basement entry door of the Banks Township Hall and was posted at least 18 hours prior to the start of the meeting.

 I, Alex Busman, BTBOR Secretary, certify that the foregoing notice has been posted as specified above in accordance with the Michigan Open Meeting Act (MCL 15.265) as amended.

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NOTICE TO ABSENT VOTERS AND VOTER REGISTRATION
Banks Township, Antrim County, Michigan

Registered voters who wish to vote by absent voter ballot in the upcoming election may request an absent voter ballot from the Banks Township Clerk's Office. Applications are available by contacting the Township Clerk or online at Michigan.gov/Vote.

Qualified electors who are not already registered to vote may register:

• By mail, online, or at any Secretary of State branch office through the voter registration deadline established by law.
• In person at the Banks Township Clerk's Office through 8:00 p.m. on Election Day with proof of residency as required by Michigan law.

Absent voter ballots must be returned by the deadlines established under Michigan Election Law. Voters may return their completed ballot by mail, in person to the Township Clerk, or by placing it in an official ballot drop box, if available.

For complete information on voter registration, requesting an absent voter ballot, voting, or returning an absent voter ballot, visit Michigan.gov/Vote or contact the Banks Township Clerk's Office.

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NOTICE OF ELECTION

AUGUST 4, 2026 STATE PRIMARY ELECTION

Banks Township, Antrim County, Michigan

TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF BANKS TOWNSHIP:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that any qualified elector of Banks Township who is not already registered may register to vote at the office of the Township Clerk, the office of the County Clerk, a Secretary of State branch office, or other designated state agency. Registration forms can be obtained at mi.gov/vote and mailed to the Township Clerk. Voters who are already registered may update their registration at www.expressSOS.com.

The last day to register in any manner other than in-person with the local clerk is Monday, July 20, 2026.

After this date, anyone who qualifies as an elector may register to vote in person with proof of residency (MCL 168.497) at the Banks Township clerk’s office, located at 6520 Center Street, Ellsworth, MI 49729 at the following times:

• Regular business hours: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 8am – 11am
• During Early Voting: July 25 – August 2 from 8am – 4pm
• Saturday, August 1 from 8am – 4pm
• Election Day, Tuesday, August 4^th from 7am – 8pm

Please take notice: the following offices will appear on the ballot for the purpose of nominating candidates of all par­ticipating parties: Governor, United States Senator, Rep­resentative in Congress 1st District, State Senator 37th District, Representative 104th District, Delegates, along with following Partial Term Offices for Prosecuting Attorney, and the following Millage Renewals:

ANTRIM COUNTY PROPOSAL

9-1-1 MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSITION

CENTRAL LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOLS PROPOSAL

SINKING FUND MILLAGE PROPOSAL

Full text of the ballot proposals may be obtained at the Banks Township Clerk’s office, 6520 Center Street, Ellsworth, MI 49729. They are available to view on the website, www.bankstownshipmi.gov . A sample ballot may be viewed at mi.gov/vote.

Persons with disabilities needing accommodations should contact the clerk’s office.

Julie Chellis

Banks Township Clerk

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NOTICE OF ORDINANCE ADOPTION

 TOWNSHIP OF BANKS

ANTRIM COUNTY, MICHIGAN

TO:     THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF BANKS, ANTRIM COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the following is a summary of Ordinance No.1 of 2026, which was adopted by the Banks Township Board at a meeting held on June 15, 2026.

SECTION 1     AMENDMENT. Amend Article VI, Sections 6.01.2, 6.01.3, 6.02.2, 6.02.3, 6.03.2, 6.03.3, 6.05.2, 6.05.3, 6.06.2, and 6.06.3, to allow accessory dwelling units to be permitted uses in the (A) Agricultural, (CR) Conservation/Recreation, (R-1) Low Density Residential, (MH) Mobile Home Park, and (V) Village, Zoning Districts in the Banks Township Zoning Ordinance.

SECTION 2    SEVERABILITY.  The provisions of this Ordinance are severable.

SECTION 3     REPEAL/EFFECTIVE DATE. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.  This ordinance shall take effect eight days following publication after adoption.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the full text of this Ordinance has been posted in the Office of the Township Clerk at the address set forth below and that a copy of the Ordinance may be acquired or inspected at the office of the Township Clerk during regular business hours of regular working days following the date of this publication.

BANKS TOWNSHIP

Julie Chellis, Clerk

6520 Center St

Ellsworth MI, 49729

231-588-6126

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5-Year Joint Recreation Plan Between Banks Township and the Village of Ellsworth

Banks Township and the Village of Ellsworth are working on a new 5-year Recreation plan and want to hear from the citizens of both municipalities!

Your input will help guide:

• Park improvements
• Trails and waterfront access
• Recreation programs
• Future funding opportunities

This is a great chance to share what you would love to see in our community and help shape the plans for the future. Please take a few minutes and click the link below for the survey.

5-Year Joint Recreation Plan Survey

2026-2027 Banks Twp Budget

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FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations for Antrim County, Michigan (All Jurisdictions)
The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency has issued a
preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), and where applicable, Flood Insurance Study (FIS)
report, reflecting proposed flood hazard determinations within Antrim County, Michigan (All
Jurisdictions). These flood hazard determinations may include the addition or modification of Base Flood
Elevations, base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area boundaries or zone designations, or the
regulatory floodway. Technical information or comments are solicited on the proposed flood hazard
determinations shown on the preliminary FIRM and/or FIS report for Antrim County, Michigan (All
Jurisdictions). These flood hazard determinations are the basis for the floodplain management measures
that your community is required to either adopt or show evidence of being already in effect in order to
qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program. However, before
these determinations are effective for floodplain management purposes, you will be provided an
opportunity to appeal the proposed information. For information on the statutory 90-day period provided
for appeals, as well as a complete listing of the communities affected and the locations where copies of
the FIRM are available for review, please visit FEMA’s website at
https://www.floodmaps.fema.gov/fhm/BFE_Status/bfe_main.asp or call the FEMA Mapping and
Insurance exchange (FMIX) toll free at 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627).

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