Welcome to the Village of Bear Lake!

No. There is a Village Ordinance prohibiting open burning of leaves. Leaves must be transported to the mulch pile by the Water Tower which is located at the top of the unpaved road across from on the south side of Potter by Smith St. No bags are allowed in the mulch area so if you transport leaves in bags, please dump the bags on the mulch pile and remove them from the area.  

Call Jake Cline at (231) 383-3731 immediately.

Water bills are sent out quarterly in January, April, July and October. They are mailed by the fifth of the month and are due by the 25th of the month. A $20 late fee will be charged if payment is not received by the due date. 

The Village installed a new water system that was completed in 2019 and as a result water bills will continue to increase periodically to pay for the new system. This quarterly fee has not been based on water usage but rather to pay off the loan to construct and maintain the new system along with the cost of water. In addition to the quarterly fee, a meter-based usage (REU-Residential Equivalent User) fee based upon your actual usage of water will begin being in late 2024. The Village Treasurer can be contacted at t[email protected]  with any questions/concerns about your water bills.   

Annual Village tax bills are sent out on 7/15 and are due on 9/14 of each year.  Payments can be placed in the lock box on the front door of the Village Office, mailed in to the Village or accepted by the Treasurer at any Village Council meeting.  

Additional interest charges are due if payment is not received by the due date. Questions on your Village tax bill should be directed to the Village Treasurer at t[email protected].

Bear Lake Township sends out tax bills twice a year. Winter tax bills are sent out on 12/1 and are due on 2/14 and summer taxes are sent out on 7/1 and are due on 9/14 of each year. Questions concerning these bills should be directed to the Bear Lake Township Treasurer at t[email protected]. 

The brush pick up dates for 2024 are on Thursdays: May 9, June 6, July 11, August 8, 

September 5 and October 10.  Please organize brush in a single pile between the street and sidewalk and keep the sidewalk clear. Cut off ends of all brush should be facing the street. 

At this time residents have the option to choose from these services:

• Recycling bins are located on Smith St. just north of Potter on the east side of the road. Please dispose of ONLY recyclable refuse and keep this area clean and tidy. 
• Republic Service (large blue bins) is available at a cost for curbside pickup
• Township trash day at the local dump is held on Saturdays twice per month for you to drop off (no cost) in the location south of the Village on US31. If you are unable to take advantage of this service, speak with your neighbors, perhaps they could lend a helping hand if you are in a pinch.
• Yellow trash bags are available for purchase from Saddle Up.