```dv dv.paragraph(("https://jimr.fyi/" + dv.currentFilePath.replace(/\.md$/, "").replace(/ /g, "+"))) ``` ##### Municipal Governance Powers | Authority Area | Municipal Powers | Limitations | | ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Local Ordinances | Can establish misdemeanors with penalties up to 93 days imprisonment and/or $500 fine | Cannot conflict with state law for serious crimes in Michigan Penal Code, Public Health Code, or Vehicle Code | | Civil Infractions | Can establish civil infractions with monetary penalties | Cannot make something a civil infraction if it's a crime under state law | | Zoning | Complete control over land use, building codes, and development | Must comply with state environmental regulations and accessibility requirements | | Public Services | Authority to establish police, fire, waste management, water services | Must meet minimum state standards for essential services | | Roads | Control over local road management, design, and usage | Must maintain minimum standards to receive state funding | | Food Inspection | Limited; typically regulated at county level through health departments | Can create ordinances affecting food businesses through zoning, hours, and event permits | | Education | Can establish charter schools with innovative programs | Must meet state education requirements and standards | | Taxation | Authority to levy property taxes, fees for services | Subject to state caps and voter approval requirements | ##### Revenue Sources | Revenue Source | Unit Amount | Units in 1,000-Person Community | Annual Total | Notes | | ------------------------ | -------------- | -------------------------------- | ------------ | ----------------------------------- | | State Revenue Sharing | $100/resident | 1,000 residents | $100,000 | Formula-based, guaranteed | | School Funding | $9,500/student | 200 students (20% of population) | $1,900,000 | Can be leveraged for infrastructure | | Road Funding | $3,000/mile | 15 miles of certified roads | $45,000 | Regardless of vehicle types allowed | | Rural Development Grants | $100/acre | 500 acres of agricultural land | $50,000 | Competitive application process | | Agricultural Programs | $200/acre | 500 acres of agricultural land | $100,000 | Conservation practices | | Local Property Tax | $500/property | 400 properties | $200,000 | Assuming modest millage rate | | Local Business Fees | $200/business | 50 businesses | $10,000 | Permits, licenses | | Utility Services | $600/household | 350 households | $210,000 | Water, waste management | | TOTAL ANNUAL REVENUE | | | $2,615,000 | $2,615 per resident | ##### Community Resource Requirements | Project Phase | Timeframe | Key Milestones | Members to Trigger Petition to Move to Next Phase | Land (acres) | Estimated Homes | Hours/Year (person) | Total $/Year (per person) | | | ---------------- | ------------ | --------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- | ------------ | --------------- | ------------------- | ------------------------- | --- | | Planning | Months 0-6 | Form legal entity, develop master plan | 10 | 0 | 0 | 2,000 (< 200) | $50,000 () | | | Land Acquisition | Months 6-18 | Purchase initial 200 acres | 20 | 200 | 0 | 5,000 (< 250) | $500,000 | | | Infrastructure | Months 12-30 | Water systems, first housing, school facility | 30 | 400 | 50-100 | 15,000 (< 500) | $750,000 | | | Agriculture | Months 12-48 | Initial crops, food production systems | 25 | 600 | 100-200 | 25,000 (< 1000) | $500,000 | | | Community Growth | Months 24-60 | adding services | annual vote | 700 | 200-300 | N/A | $1,000,000 | | | Incorporation | Months 36-72 | filed petition | >500 | 750+ | 300+ | 35,000 (< 70) | $100,000 | | ##### Basic Guarantees Breakdown | Phase | Community Output Access | Examples | | ---------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Planning | Access to community planning documents and decisions | Access to master plan, meeting minutes, proposed layouts | | Land Acquisition | Equal consideration for land usage allocation | Ability to apply for 0.2-acre personal garden plot, residential lot selection | | Infrastructure | Access to developed infrastructure services | Connection to water system, use of community roads, internet access | | Agriculture | Proportional share of food production | Weekly vegetable basket from forest garden, seasonal fruit share from orchard | | Community Growth | Access to all community services and facilities | Use of maker space equipment, community center rooms, medical clinic services | | Incorporation | Equal municipal rights and benefits | Voting in local elections, eligibility to run for office, use of municipal services | ##### Food Production Systems | System | Initial Cost | Annual Cost | Labor Hours/Year | Calories Produced/Year | Revenue Potential | Acres Required | | ------------- | ------------ | ----------- | ---------------- | ---------------------- | ----------------- | -------------- | | Forest Garden | $1,150,000 | $90,000 | 15,000 | 190,000,000 | $440,000 | 100 | | Orchards | $650,000 | $75,000 | 3,000 | 75,000,000* | $410,000 | 50 | | Fish Farm | $1,600,000 | $302,000 | 5,000 | 42,000,000 | $138,000 | 100 | | Mono Crops | $400,000 | $95,000 | 1,000 | 260,000,000 | $260,000 | 50 | | Bee Farming | $125,000 | $15,000 | 1,000 | 6,000,000 | $79,900 | 20 | | TOTALS | $3,925,000 | $577,000 | 25,000 | 573,000,000 | $1,327,900 | 320 | *Estimated based on comparable systems ##### Community Assets & Services | Asset Type | Initial Cost | Annual Maintenance | Community Benefit | Revenue Potential | | ----------------------- | ------------ | ------------------ | ------------------------------ | -------------------------- | | School Facility | $1,200,000 | $60,000 | Education, community center | $1,900,000 (state funding) | | Water System | $750,000 | $30,000 | Clean water, infrastructure | $210,000 (utility fees) | | Community Center | $500,000 | $25,000 | Gathering space, governance | $50,000 (rentals, events) | | Road Network | $300,000 | $45,000 | Transportation, access | $45,000 (state funding) | | Workshop/Maker Space | $250,000 | $20,000 | Skills development, production | $75,000 (member fees) | | Market/Distribution | $200,000 | $15,000 | Food distribution, commerce | $100,000 (vendor fees) | | Medical Clinic | $300,000 | $150,000 | Healthcare, wellness | $225,000 (services) | | Internet Infrastructure | $150,000 | $30,000 | Communication, remote work | $105,000 (service fees) | | TOTALS | $3,650,000 | $375,000 | | $2,710,000 | ##### Incorporation Approach Options | Approach | Requirements | Timeframe | Advantages | Challenges | | ------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | New Municipality | • 750+ acres land<br>• 500+ residents<br>• 100 property owners signing petition<br>• Population density of 150+ people per sq mile<br>• Majority vote of affected area | 3-6 years | • Complete control over new ordinances<br>• Fresh start with governance<br>• Can design infrastructure from ground up<br>• No legacy issues or debt | • Highest capital requirements<br>• Longest timeframe<br>• Needs significant coordination<br>• May face opposition from county | | Reincorporation | • Previously incorporated area<br>• Same density and population requirements<br>• May have lower opposition threshold | 2-4 years | • Existing infrastructure<br>• Historical precedent<br>• Potentially lower land costs<br>• May have existing community identity | • Potential environmental/brownfield issues<br>• May have outdated infrastructure<br>• Could face resistance from adjacent areas<br>• Existing property owners may oppose | | Electoral Majority | • 35-40% of registered voters in existing town<br>• Coordinated voting bloc<br>• Strategic candidates for local offices | 1-3 years | • Lowest initial investment<br>• Existing infrastructure and services<br>• Immediate access to governance<br>• Can gradually implement changes | • Limited initial control<br>• Must work within existing structures<br>• Requires political organizing<br>• Potential resistance from existing power base | ##### Critical Success Factors 1. Coordination System: Digital platform for task allocation, governance, and resource management 2. Legal Structure: Clear property rights, governance model, and transition plan to municipal status 3. Financial Model: Sustainable revenue sources both before and after incorporation 4. Recruitment Strategy: Attracting members with complementary skills and shared values 5. Educational Innovation: School design that leverages funding while providing quality education 6. Food Systems Integration: Coordinated agricultural approach for maximum productivity 7. Phased Growth: Realistic scaling that maintains community cohesion while expanding