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When a resident gifts a monetary donation to a township fire department, who is responsible for approving the expenditures resulting from the donation?
Although the language of the bequest may impact the exact answer to this question, assuming that the fire department is part of the township, the township board is responsible for determining how the money should be spent. Statutes governing both charter townships and general law townships specify that expenditures need to be authorized by a township board. From a practical perspective, it may be beneficial for the township board to collaborate with the volunteer fire department to come up with a way to spend the money that is mutually agreeable to both parties. But, technically speaking, a township board must determine how township money is spent.
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