Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Central Lake

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
Town Hall · Central Lake

Central Lake spent less per resident in 2022 than 65% of similar cities

Central Lake’s village government spent $799,000 on day-to-day services in the year to February 28, 2022, about $848 per resident.

Day-to-day spending, 2022
$799,000
year to February 28, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$848
In 2022: $848, less than 65% of 291 similar cities
Long-term debt
$438,000
end of FY2022, reported
Village staff, 2022
2
full-time · 11 part-time · March payroll $29,217
Typical tax bill
$1,558
0.93% of home value · MI 1.25%

What stands out about how Central Lake is run

Read from the village’s budget and official records.

Spends less than most similar citiesIn 2022: $848 per resident, less than 65% of 291 similar cities.Runs its own water & sewer28% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2022).A shared school districtShares Central Lake Public Schools with 2 other towns.Lower tax billsThe typical bill is $1,558 a year: 0.93% of the home’s value, vs 1.25% across Michigan.
Compared with similar places

$848 per resident in 2022: less than 65% of them

Central Lake’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($848 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 291 Michigan cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $1,081, and the middle half spent $748–$1,663. Central Lake spent less than 65% of them.

Middle half of the group, $748–$1,663Median $1,081Central Lake

Includes sewer and trash ($222,000), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →

The group
291

Michigan cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Central Lake itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $848 per resident a year, or $2.32 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: sewer & trash, at 28%.

Not in the receipt.Building projects $321,000; interest on debt $6,000. With these, the whole budget was $1.1 million.
Over the years

No trend yet

Central Lake reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $1,558 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.93% of the home’s value, vs 1.25% across Michigan.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Michigan$2,904
Central Lake$1,558
$1,558
typical bill a year
0.93%
effective rate
$167,100
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Central Lake’s rate.

Can I afford it? →

The median bill homeowners report to the Census survey (bills of $10,000+ are reported as “$10,000+”). The effective rate is that bill ÷ the median home value: a rough guide, not the official tax rate. In a town this small the estimate has a wide margin.

Tax bills are one input to Central Lake’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Central Lake →

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Central Lake

Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.

Check Central Lake’s own website for current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Central Lake yet.
Who works for Central Lake

One full-time village employee for every 471 residents

On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll. Residents: the Census population in the 2022 finance file (942).

By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2022

Administration & buildings1 + 7 pt
Roads & transportation0 + 4 pt
Police1
2
full-time
11
part-time
$29,217
payroll for March 2022
$350,604
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$61,200
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
1
sworn police officers
Compared, 2022.Central Lake had 2.1 full-time staff per 1,000 residents in March 2022. The median for the 233 of the 291 Michigan cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools that reported 2022 staff was 4.4: Central Lake had fewer than 71% of them. Same group and year as the budget comparison.

The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.

The school district

Central Lake Public Schools

Central Lake’s K–12 school district, shared with Central Lake Township, Echo Township. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Central Lake →
$24,692
per pupil · MI $16,528
237
students
$120,000
long-term debt

Of the $24,692 per pupil, $14,127 goes to the classroom (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren’t in the per-pupil figure.

The district: schools, scores and graduation →

Where the district’s money comes from
Local 74%State 16%Federal 10%

Michigan districts overall: 34% local, 57% state, 9% federal.

School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.

Elections · 2024 general election

Central Lake’s votes are counted by county

Michigan reports official results by county and precinct, not by village, so there are no official results for Central Lake alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are Antrim County’s results.

President · Antrim County’s results16,883 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican61.3%10,341 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat37.5%6,330 votes

Others: 1.3% (212 votes).

Most votes in Antrim County: Donald J Trump

Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%

The county’s page

100% of Central Lake lies in Antrim County. Every 2024 race in Antrim County is on the county’s page.

Antrim County’s 2024 results →
DemocratRepublicanLibertarianIndependent / other

Official 2024 general election returns, as certified (MIT Election Data + Science Lab). Percentages are of votes for candidates; blank and spoiled ballots aren’t counted. Candidates are listed by votes, and party colors are neutral on purpose.

Portraits: Kamala D Harris: official vice-presidential portrait, Lawrence Jackson, The White House, 2021; Donald J Trump: official portrait, Shealah Craighead, The White House, 2017. All are U.S. government works in the public domain. A race shows photos only when every candidate has an official portrait; otherwise every candidate in it gets initials.

Who represents Central Lake

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Central Lake.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Michigan HouseState representatives
    J.R. Roth
  3. 3
    Michigan SenateState senator
    John Damoose
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
    Gretchen Whitmer
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
    Jack Bergman
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Michigan
    Gary C. PetersElissa Slotkin

Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.

Reach Central Lake’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Central Lake’s government

How much does Central Lake spend per resident?

About $848 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to February 28, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $848 was less than 65% of 291 Michigan cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Central Lake?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,558 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.93% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.25% across Michigan. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the village’s assessor.

Who runs Central Lake’s government?

We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Central Lake yet.

How did Central Lake vote in 2024?

Michigan counts votes by county and precinct, not by village, so there are no official results for Central Lake alone. Antrim County, where 100% of Central Lake lies, voted Trump 61.3%, Harris 37.5% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Central Lake?

2 full-time and 11 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $29,217 (about $350,604 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Central Lake in the state legislature?

State Senate District 37 (John Damoose) and State House District 104 (J.R. Roth). The House district also covers 69 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Central Lake’s government

Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.

Town Square →
Ask neighbors

Budget and staff: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Governments (2022, every government) and Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023–24, a sample) and the Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll; day-to-day spending is current operations, with hospitals, utilities and airports apart. School district: Census school finance survey, 2023–24. Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 2020–24. Elections: official 2024 returns via the MIT Election Data + Science Lab; turnout uses Census citizen voting-age population (CVAP, 2020–24). Officials: Open States, names shown only with a current term (checked October 9, 2026). Districts: Census Bureau (119th Congress, 2024 state districts); legislators: Open States and congress-legislators. How Town Hall works →