*Sherine Miller resigned as Kalamazoo Township treasurer on March 16, 2026 after facing two censures and accusations of mismanaging money.*

The position she vacated is now up for election in Michigan's Aug. 4 Primary Election, with former trustee Clara Robinson also on the ballot for the role.

Miller, who served nine years as treasurer before being first elected in 2016, resigned after the township board petitioned Governor Gretchen Whitmer to remove her from office.

"I feel like I have been stripped naked with the words 'incompetency' written across my body and hung in front of the Township Hall," Miller said.

The accusations against Miller include:

  • Failure to appoint a statutorily required Deputy Treasurer
  • Unilateral transfer of $4 million in Township funds in violation of Board directives
  • Mismanagement of 2025 winter property tax billing that placed Township revenues at risk
  • Failure to implement recommended internal financial controls identified in an independent audit review
  • Inability to provide accurate reconciliations and required financial reporting
  • Disruption of Town operations and repeated refusal to collaborate with Township administration

Township Supervisor David Combs stated that the board's responsibility is to ensure township services are carried out with the highest standards of accountability, transparency, and professionalism.

Miller's attorney called the accusations against her inaccurate or lacking full context. She said she looked at each resident's personal situation before deciding on whether to waive interest and late fees on unpaid taxes.

"I'm not comfortable with what's happening internally here," Miller said. "Because I'm not comfortable with it."

The board first censured Miller at the end of January, stripping her of all her responsibilities. Then a few weeks later in February, they censured her again after she transferred $4 million in tax revenue from the township's checking account to a township money market account without notifying staff in advance.

Because the treasurer position is elected, board members don't have the authority to remove someone from the office. However, the governor does have that power under Michigan law. After her second censure, the board sent a letter to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer asking her to remove Miller.

Whitmer never responded to Miller or the township. A neighbor of Miller reached out to the governor as well and received a response saying the office had no plans to intervene.

Miller ultimately signed a resignation letter, officially relieving her as township treasurer. She referred to the move as an early retirement, though it is legally considered a resignation.

Miller said she expected her term, ending in 2028, to be her last and that she was coasting into the sunset when accusations of misconduct blindsided her.

She was blindsided on Dec. 17 when she was locked out of her office for her interactions and behavior with staff.

Miller also noted that she didn't manage her deputy treasurer closely, and she felt she didn't need to. But she didn't know how frustrating that was until it was too late.

Stephanie McQueen was sworn in as deputy treasurer in November 2024. She resigned in August 2025, according to township documents. Miller said McQueen's work was top notch and exemplary.

"I respected her," Miller said. "I don't think she respected me as much, which I was OK with."

Miller didn't accept an offer from Superintendent Tracie Moored to serve as deputy treasurer temporarily, as the superintendent already holds a lot of financial power.

"I'm not comfortable with a finance director who is able to make general ledger entries, write checks and have full access and rights to all the bank accounts, especially when we're about to receive $53 million in bond proceeds," Miller said.

Kalamazoo Township is planning significant construction projects, including a new fire station, township hall, and police headquarters. The community complex project alone is expected to cost more than $45 million.

Miller said she is tired of the situation and is ready to leave politics behind. She is now back on the ballot for her former position.

The board will proceed in accordance with Michigan law to fill the vacant position. Whoever assumes the role will be finishing out what was supposed to be Miller's four year term, set to expire in 2028.