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About Powell Township

Powell Township, established in 1904, welcomes you to the Township website. The most common way to reach Powell Township’s town of Big Bay is to drive to the end of County Road 550, also known as “Big Bay Road”. Powell Township is a great place to live; Powell Township School (which received the 2022 Excellence in Education award) serves pre-schoolers through 8th graders, community events and trails provide year-round opportunities, and the peaceful pace offers a place to retire and enjoy the beauty and wonders of nature. With the “big city” of Marquette, Michigan 25 miles away on the opposite end of County Road 550, Powell is a township removed but so easily connected.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimated Powell Township’s population as 830 in 2023, with about 70% being year-round residents. The Township has several lakes and rivers, ideal for recreation, and approximately 45 miles of Lake Superior shoreline. Within the Township is the community of Big Bay. Big Bay’s stores and restaurants include Cram’s General Store and Hungry Hollow Cafe, the Historic Thunder Bay Inn & Restaurant, the Lumberjack Tavern, Big Bay Pointe Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast, Picture Bay Motel, and Big Bay Motel. Additionally, for camping, Powell Township houses Perkins Park on Lake Independence, operated by Marquette County. Dock of the Bay, also operated by Marquette County, enables access to Lake Superior by boat. Powell Township maintains four additional parks: Draver Park and Ballfield, Thomas Rock Scenic Overlook, Burns Landing, and the Bill Dionne/Halfway Fire Hall Kids’ Park. Powell Township’s Parks and Recreation Committee also maintains multiple Noquemanon Trail Network trails, enabling year-round use.

Residents can find information about the Powell Township Board, monthly Board meeting minutes, applications for voting, zoning permits, and general questions (Transfer Station hours, tax due dates, etc.) and more on this website. In addition to this site’s Tax & Assessing page, residents and owners can view their assessing and tax information for free at this link.

Powell Township Office Hours:

General Office: Monday & Thursday, 09:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.

Treasurer: Monday & Thursday, 09:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M., or by appointment (email treasurer@powelltownship.org)

Assessor: Thursday, 10:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.

Zoning Administrator: by appointment only (email zoningadmin@powelltownship.org) 

2025 Powell Township Meeting Cycles

To see upcoming meeting notices listed, special meetings, cancellations, reschedules, or virtual instructions, click here. For a calendar view, click here. To see public comment guidelines, check the Rules of Public Comment Participation. NOTE: THE PLANNING COMMISSION NOW MEETS MONTHLY.

  • The Ambulance Department meets the first Sunday of each month – 7:00 P.M. at Powell Township Fire Hall

  • The Parks & Recreation Committee meets the second Tuesday of each month – 6:30 P.M. at Powell Township Hall

  • The Powell Township Board meets the third Tuesday of each month – 7:00 P.M. at Powell Township Hall

  • The Planning Commission meets the third Wednesday of each month – 7:00 P.M. at Powell Township Hall

  • The Fire Department meets the last Thursday of each month – 6:00 P.M. at Powell Township Fire Hall

FIRE ON THE BAY & CONCERT REPORT: Big Bay, July 12, 7:30 P.M. Concert, Fireworks Followed the Concert 

  • Powell Township’s Parks & Recreation Committee hosted the 31st Annual Fire on the Bay this past Saturday, July 12, 2025. 
  • The concert was at the beach pavilion located at the Burns Landing boardwalk’s end.
  • This was the first night of electricity use — for gathering, burgers, hot dogs, popcorn, drinks, sweatshirt sales, and boardwalk string lights — in and around the restored LeClaire Cabin and Burns Landing areas.
  • The band “Ramble Tamble” headlined and played to the beach, multiple bonfires, and lake (swimming/boating) crowds for over 2.5 hours. 
  • Fireworks followed, and swimmers, boaters, and the shore crowd along Mino-kwe Jiigibiik were treated to good weather during the display.
  • Township members and volunteers rounded out the event Sunday morning with an early beach cleanup event.

The Township receives great support from the community in raising funds for the fireworks and is grateful for all event supporters. THANK YOU! Fire On the Bay donations are accepted year-round and are used solely for the annual event. You can use the code below, or mail any donations to: Powell County Treasurer, P.O. Box 38, Big Bay, Michigan, 49808 and include in the memo “Fire on the Bay,” or drop donations off at Powell Township Hall offices (or the drop box outside of the offices), or donate online at https://givebutter.com/OI2fue. 

POWELL TOWNSHIP TRAILS UPDATES: 

Trail maps are available at Noquemanon Trail Network. Powell Township’s trails are part of this network. Additionally, a trails traffic report is available here.

Mino-Kwe-Jiigibiik-Pink-Set-2024
Mino-Kwe-Jiigibiik-Blue-Set-2024
Burns-Boardwalk-to-Beach-Stairs
Boardwalk-View-Toward-Burns-Cabin
Burns-Long-Boardwalk-to-Beach

SAVE THE DATES

Powell Township residents, please keep these annual township events in mind. Further details, including times, are in local newsletters (including the site newsletter), on the site calendar, and/or will post as they become available.

  • 12 April 2025:  Easter Egg Hunt
  • 03 May 2025:  Dash for Trash
  • 17 May 2025:  Big Bay Relay
  • 04 July 2025:  4th of July Parade
  • 12 July 2025:  Fire on the Bay
  • 20 September 2025:  Fall Festival
  • 05 December 2025 (4P.M. – 7P.M.):  Bay Cliff Health Camp Annual Open House
  • 06 December 2025:  Holiday Tree Lighting

NOTICE TO RESIDENTS: WATER QUALITY REPORT AVAILABLE 

June 23, 2025

Dear Powell Township Residents,

  1. The 2024 Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) describing the source and quality of your drinking water is available for review or paper copy at the Powell Township office during normal business hours, Mondays and Thursdays, 9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
  2. The CCR is also available to view online at  https://powelltownship.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/2024-Consumer-Confidence-Report.pdf.
  3. For any questions regarding the consumer confidence report or to request a paper copy, please contact Coty Sorby, Powell Township Water Operator, using one of the following options: Phone: (906) 345-9345 ext. 10, Mail: Coty Sorby, Water Operator, P.O. Box 319, Big Bay, Michigan 49808, Email: waterdept@powelltownship.org

Thank you,
Coty Sorby, Water Operator, Powell Township

NOTICE OF REGISTRATION FOR THE TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2025 SPECIAL ELECTION

To the Qualified Electors of Precinct ONE of  POWELL TOWNSHIP, COUNTY OF MARQUETTE, STATE OF MICHIGAN:

  • PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that any qualified elector of Powell Township who is not already registered; may register to vote at the office of the Powell Township Clerk; the office of the County Clerk; a Secretary of State branch office, or other designated state agency.  Registration forms can be obtained at www.mi.gov/vote and mailed to the Powell Township Clerk.  Voters who are already registered may update their registration at www.expressSOS.com.
  • The Last Day to Register in any manner other than in-person with the local clerk is Monday, July 21, 2025.
  • After this date, anyone who qualifies as an elector may register to vote in person with proof of residency in addition to proof of identity (MCL 168.492).
  • The OFFICIAL NOTICE with all details and times is posted on township bulletin boards and available for viewing  here.

NOTICE OF ELECTION – TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2025 SPECIAL ELECTION

To the Qualified Electors of Precinct ONE of  POWELL TOWNSHIP, COUNTY OF MARQUETTE, STATE OF MICHIGAN:

AT POWELL TOWNSHIP HALL, 101 BENSINGER STREET, BIG BAY, MICHIGAN, 49808

The Election is being held to vote on the following Powell Township Proposal – Operating Millage Renewal Proposition: 
Shall the total tax rate limitation on the total amount of taxes which may be levied in the Township of Powell, in the County of Marquette, and the State of Michigan, for all general purposes be renewed, as provided by Section 21, Article X of the Constitution of the State of Michigan, by two and one half mills (2.5) of the tentative taxable value of all property in the Township of Powell for a period of five (5) years from 2026 to 2030 all years inclusive, for all township purposes. (This millage is estimated to generate $299,629.06 in the first year.)

The OFFICIAL NOTICE with all details is posted on township bulletin boards and available for viewing  here.

NOTICE – 2025 Marquette County Plat Books Available

2025 Marquette County, Michigan Plat Books are now available.

  • The Powell Township office has one copy for viewing, and a limited number are available for purchase during public business hours. Please call first to ensure they are not sold out:
    Cost: $40; Location: Powell Township, 101 Bensinger Street, Big Bay, Michigan; Hours: Mondays and Thursdays 0900-1200
  • Copies are also available for purchase at the Marquette County 4-H Council MSU Extension:
    Location: 184 US Highway 41E, Negaunee, Michigan; Phone: (906)315-2663
  • Smartmap and wallmap versions are available online at mappingsolutionsgis.com.

SCAM NOTICE – Door-to-Door Tax Collection Attempts – PLEASE DO NOT PAY

Powell Township was informed of unsanctioned, in-person tax collection attempts occurring around our town. At least one person, who is not a township representative or affiliate, has been going door-to-door to “collect property taxes”. This is not legitimate. Powell Township staff will never go door-to-door asking for tax payments, or any payment, for that matter. 

If you encounter this issue, and you feel safe enough to do so, please contact the Marquette County Sheriff’s Department and/or Powell Township as soon as possible to report it. For additional questions or concerns, please contact the Powell Township Assessor, Dylan Jurasin, or Supervisor, Levi Ellis. The full notice letter from the Assessor is available  here.

  • Powell Township Assessor: 906-361-6787
  • Powell Township Main Line: 906-345-9345

NOTICE – DNR Forest Planning Public Input Opportunity Online

This is an opportunity to review and comment on proposed 2027 plans for forests in this region before the plans are finalized. Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposed plans are viewable online at  The Forestry Public Input Page or by request, and options for public comment or inputs are available. The DNR will host an OPEN HOUSE, 3 to 6 P.M., June 25, 2025, for in-person inputs. You can also submit comments directly via email (CarlsonB@michigan.gov) OR online via  The Forestry Public Input Page. For the flyer with all details and primary contact information for any questions, click  here. Further details:

  • For more efficient oversight, the DNR divides each forest management unit into smaller “compartments.”
  • Maps and information regarding proposed management activities (treatments) are in the 2027 “Compartment Review Packets” and viewable online by clicking on “Forest Maps” at the Forestry Public Input page link noted.
  • The DNR will take online or email inputs, will host the public OPEN HOUSE, 3 to 6 P.M., 25 June 2025, and will then conduct the Formal Compartment Review, 9:30 A.M. EST, 17 July 2025, to decide on final treatment plans for forests in this region. 
  • Meetings will take place at the Baraga Customer Service Center, 427 US-41 N, Baraga, Michigan, 49908.  

ARE YOU INTERESTED? SECRETARY OF STATE MOBILE OFFICE EVENT IN POWELL

Powell Township can request a Secretary of State (SOS) Mobile Office Event, during which you can complete basic SOS transactions (listed below) locally. The likely event location would be Powell Township Hall. Full lists of transactions and requirements are available by calling or visiting the SOS in person or online.  If you want a local SOS mobile office event, please call or e-mail Powell Township (906-345-9345 ext. 10 or clerk@powelltownship.org). If there is enough interest, the Township will schedule an event and post event notices throughout town.

  • Get a first-time Michigan ID, or renew a driver’s license or ID
  • Accomplish vehicle transactions (new or renew or correct plates or tabs, transfer titles, remove liens)
  • Apply for or renew a disability parking placard
  • Register to vote or update voter registration details

UPDATE – Ordinances, Resolutions, Policies, and Guidelines 

Fifteen (15) items were approved at February – April 2025 Board Meetings. They are also posted in full detail here. Additional poverty exemption updates, facts, procedures, and forms are available at the Tax & Assessing page here.

New items posted under “Lots and Land Use”: 

  1. 2025 Accessibility Policy Pursuant to PA 660 of 2018 and Copying of Assessing Records
  2. 2025 Audit Procedures for Granting or Removal of Real Property Exemptions Policy
  3. 2025 Board Resolution to Adopt Poverty Exemption Income Guidelines and Asset Test for 2025
  4. 2025 Income and Asset Test Guidelines for Property Tax Relief
  5. 2025 Personal Property Annual Canvass Policy
  6. 2025 Policy Regarding Public Inspection of Assessing Records
  7. 2025 Property Exemption Policy and Procedures
  8. 2025 Resolution to Allow Property Owners to Protest to Board of Review in Writing

New items posted under “Administrative”:

  1. 2025 Earned Sick Time Act Policy
  2. 2025 General Appropriations Act – Budget
  3. 2025 Resolution for Powell Township Treasurer to Invest Funds
  4. 2025 Resolution for Sale and Purchase of Real Estate
  5. 2025 Resolution for Summer and Winter Tax Collection
  6. 2025 Resolution to Establish Salary
  7. 2025 Resolution to Approve Renewal of Operating Millage Proposal

Employment Opportunities:

1. Front Office / Administration: Job description posts soon – contact Township if interested

2. Recording Secretary: Job description posts soon – contact Township if interested

3. Planning Commission Member

Powell Township Hall & Fire/EMS Hall

Bill Dionne ("Halfway") Fire Hall

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