6520 Center Street, PO Box 68
Ellsworth, Michigan 49729
Office Phone: 231-588-6126
Cell Phone: 231-419-0355
Fax: 231-588-2079
Email: bankstownship@bankstownship.net
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Welcome to Banks Township…

A place of community and a township working to combine its agricultural tradition with the growing tourism of Northern Michigan.

Banks Township’s natural resources make it a recreational paradise for those who enjoy spending time outdoors. Its hardworking, friendly people make it a great place to live or visit.


 

Orange colored fall leaves on trees bordering road in Banks Township, Michigan

Announcements

Meeting Notice

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

The Banks Township Planning Commission

6520 Center Street
PO Box 68
Ellsworth, Michigan 49720
Phone (231)588-6126
e-mail: bankstownship@bankstownship.net
https://www.bankstownship.net/

will hold a special meeting of the Banks Township Planning Commission on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 6:00pm 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; Email clerk@bankstownship.net.
This notice was posted by Julie Chellis, Banks Township Clerk to comply with Sections 4 and 5 of Michigan Open Meetings Act (MCL 15.265) at 1:05pm 10/10/2025 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, Julie Chellis, Banks Township Clerk, certify that the foregoing notice has been posted as specified above in accordance with the Michigan Open Meeting Act (MCL 15.265) as amended.

Julie Chellis, Banks Township Clerk


Attached below is a check list from our attorneys on the steps to repeal zoning.  If you have any questions, please contact Supervisor Busman at 231-676-1075.

Checklist for Repeal 10-1-2025


NOTICE OF REGISTRATION FOR THE ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2025

BANKS TOWNSHIP, 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, October 20, 2025.

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: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 11am-12:30pm.
  • Saturday, November 1st from 10:30am-2:30pm and Sunday, November 2nd from 10:30am-2:30pm.
  • Election Day, Tuesday, November 4th from 7am-8pm.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that Antrim County will be voting on the following public safety bond proposal as presented and listed below:

ANTRIM COUNTY:

                SHALL THE COUNTY OF ANTRIM, MICHIGAN, BORROW THE SUM OF NOT TO EXCEED EIGHTEEN MILLION DOLLARS ($18,000,000) AND ISSUE ITS LIMITED TAX GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, IN ONE OR MORE SERIES, PAYABLE IN NOT TO EXCEED FIFTEEN (15) YEARS FROM THE DATE OF ISSUANCE, FOR THE PUPOSE OF PAYING ALL OR PART OF THE COSTS TO ACQUIRE CONSTRUCT, FURNISH, AND EQUIP A NEW PUBLIC SAFETY CENTER, INCLUDING A JAIL FACILITY, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CENTER, 911 DISPATCH CENTER, AND COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE FACILITIES, TOGETHER WITH ALL RELATED SITE IMPROVEMENTS.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that Central Lake School District will also be voting on the following operating millage proposal as presented and listed below:

CENTRAL LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOLS:

                PROPOSAL TO ALLOW THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO LEVY THE STATUTORY RATE OF NOT TO EXCEED 18 MILLS ON ALL PROPERTY, EXCEPT PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE AND OTHER PROPERTY EXEMPTED BY LAW, REQUIRED FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO RECEIVE ITS REVENUE PER PUPIL FOUNDATION ALLOWANCE.

Full text of the ballot proposals may be obtained at the Banks Township Clerk’s office, 6520 Center Street, Ellsworth, MI 49729. 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

 


The memo attached below is from our township attorney regarding zoning. It is established law in our township and would withstand legal challenges regarding how it was originally implemented.  

MemoZoning25


Attached you will find the Purchase Sale Agreement, along with three additional exhibits related to the property. This is for the residents to review.
 
The CSX Representative, Sara Howard, will be available Monday night for questions, should anyone have any. Time will be limited to three minutes a person, speaking once. 
 

 

Chain of Lakes Water Trail

Read about the Chain of Lakes Water Trail that begins right here in Banks Township!

 

Read the Latest Article on the Breezeway!

Breezy & Beautiful

Take this 26-mile road trip Up North.


Burn Permits

Township residents wishing to burn fall leaves generally need a burn permit. For the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula, residents can visit Michigan.gov/BurnPermit or call 866-922-BURN to find out whether burning is currently allowed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).  For responsible burning information, contact Paul Rogers at 616-260-8406.

 

 

 

Established in 1898