Administrative Divisions of Michigan - City

City

In Michigan, a city is one of two types of incorporated municipalities, the other being villages. Cities and villages, along with townships, which are generally not considered as an incorporated municipality in Michigan, are the three main forms of local government in Michigan.

Of the three types of municipal organization, cities are the most autonomous, with the responsibility of providing most all services to its residents. As of 2007, there are 274 incorporated, home rule cities in Michigan.

Most cities in Michigan are incorporated under home rule charters, although there are a few that were incorporated before the Home Rule Cities Act was enacted in 1909, and continue to operate under an older city charter having been granted by the legislature. Under current Michigan law, however, they are automatically considered home rule cities, and can amend or revise their charters at any time.

Cities have a choice to be governed under the mayor-council form of government, which also includes the city commission form of government as a variant, or a council manager form of government. Cities are administratively independent of whichever township or townships they incorporated from. Unlike other local governments, cities can levy a limited income tax on residents, non-residents, and corporations as set forth in the state constitution.