Otter Lake spent more per resident in 2022 than 70% of similar cities
Otter Lake’s village government spent $535,000 on day-to-day services in the year to February 28, 2022, about $1,419 per resident.
What stands out about how Otter Lake is run
Read from the village’s budget and official records.
$1,419 per resident in 2022: more than 70% of them
Otter Lake’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,419 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 $1,078, and the middle half spent $748–$1,663. Otter Lake spent more than 70% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($99,000), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
Michigan cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Otter Lake itself left out).
About $1,419 per resident a year, or $3.89 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: roads & transportation, at 46%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
Otter Lake reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $2,183 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 2.15% of the home’s value, vs 1.25% across Michigan.
Typical yearly bill next door and statewide
The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Otter 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 Otter Lake’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Otter Lake →
Who’s in charge in Otter Lake
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Otter Lake’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The village posts agendas and minutes on villageofotterlake.com ↗.
Lakeville Community Schools
Otter Lake’s K–12 school district, shared with Columbiaville, Otisville, Marathon Township, Forest Township, Richfield Township. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $13,961 per pupil, $7,977 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.
Michigan districts overall: 34% local, 57% state, 9% federal.
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
Otter 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 Otter Lake alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are Lapeer County’s results.
Donald J TrumpRepublican69.3%38,398 votes
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat29.5%16,338 votesOthers: 1.3% (703 votes).
Most votes in Lapeer County: Donald J Trump
Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%
84% of Otter Lake lies in Lapeer County; the rest in Genesee County. Every 2024 race in Lapeer County is on the county’s page.
Lapeer County’s 2024 results →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.
From town hall to Washington
Every level of government that speaks for Otter Lake.
- 1Your cityMayor & councilOfficials: villageofotterlake.com ↗
- 2Michigan HouseState representatives
- 3Michigan SenateState senator
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseSplit between districts
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Michigan
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
Reach Otter Lake’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about Otter Lake’s government
How much does Otter Lake spend per resident?
About $1,419 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 $1,419 was more than 70% of 291 Michigan cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Otter Lake?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $2,183 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 2.15% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.25% across Michigan. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see villageofotterlake.com.
Who runs Otter Lake’s government?
See villageofotterlake.com for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Otter Lake yet.
How did Otter Lake vote in 2024?
Michigan counts votes by county and precinct, not by village, so there are no official results for Otter Lake alone. Lapeer County, where 84% of Otter Lake lies, voted Trump 69.3%, Harris 29.5% for president; its page has every race.
How many people work for Otter Lake?
0 full-time and 11 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $10,992 (about $131,904 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents Otter Lake in the state legislature?
State Senate District 26 (Kevin Daley) and State House District 67 (Phil Green). The House district also covers 17 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Otter Lake’s government
Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.
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 →