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MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

Thursday, April 18, 2024

Alton, Godfrey split on referendums eliminating township government

Elections

Godfrey residents voted to eliminate township government while Alton voters rejected the referendum.

The move to cease the Godfrey Township passed by a margin of 62.7 to 37.3 percent. 

The referendum in Alton was rejected by a margin of 56.9 to 43.1 percent.  

The borders of both townships overlap with city borders. 

Townships typically assess properties, maintain roads and provide general aid. However, those tasks are sometimes overlapped when the township shares borders with the city. 

Supporters of the referendums considered it a way to reduce local government and cut costs. 

In Godfrey, the township duties will be transferred to another village government body, which has not yet been decided. 

In Alton, the City Council issued a resolution in May stating it “recognizes that there are significant potential cost savings to the taxpayers of the city of Alton by eliminating Alton Township" because it is coterminous with the city.  

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