Voters in Saugatuck and Douglas could decide this year if the two cities will consolidate. Petition signatures to put the issue on the ballot are to be submitted Tuesday.
The group leading the petition drive for a referendum on consolidating Saugatuck and Douglas plans to turn in the more than 340 signatures to the state on Tuesday. "We are gratified by the number of residents who signed the petition. It clearly shows our voters want this referendum," said Matt Balmer, spokesman for the Citizens for Independent and Cooperative Communities.
Douglas joined Saugatuck on Monday night in funding a third-party study of the possible consolidation of the two municipalities. The study by the nonprofit Citizens Research Council of Michigan is $10,000 split between the two cities. The study will be completed by April.
