The potential dissolution of the Village of Baroda is drawing scrutiny from local officials and business leaders as the village seeks legal guidance on a citizen-led petition to disincorporate and be absorbed into Baroda Township.
The Baroda Village Council voted Monday to request a written legal opinion regarding the validity of the petition, whose signatures were verified by the Baroda Township Clerk’s office. That verification triggered the formation of a special commission to study the issue. The commission is scheduled to meet March 12.
Supporters of dissolution have suggested the move could bring tax relief and a smaller government structure. However, Greg Borr, co-owner of TJ’s Baroda Tap, publicly criticized those claims.
In a statement, Borr said some proponents have painted “a rosy picture of immediate tax relief and ‘smaller government,’” but argued those claims “overlook critical realities,” including the potential loss of local control over services and the costs of shifting infrastructure and public safety responsibilities.
“Promising sweeping savings without a full, independent analysis of long-term impacts is misleading at best and risks leaving residents and local businesses like mine facing higher costs or reduced services down the road.” — Greg Borr, Co-owner of TJ’s Baroda Tap
He also questioned the motives behind the effort, citing what he described as “apparent conflicts of interest among some individuals driving or benefiting from this petition.” Borr said, “When those advocating for dissolution stand to gain personally while the broader community bears the risk, transparency is essential.”
In addition, Borr expressed concern about the financial impact of the review process itself. “These are our hard-earned tax dollars being used to study a proposal that, at this stage, appears driven more by a small group’s agenda than by clear community consensus,” he said.
Village officials have not taken a formal position on dissolution but say the legal review will determine whether the petition complies with state law before any next steps are considered. Any decision to dissolve the village would require further action following the commission’s work.
