Work Session (Packet)

The Empire Village Council convened a work session on February 13, 2024, and a regular meeting on January 28, 2025, at the Empire Township Hall. During the work session, the council addressed several key agenda items, including the approval of minutes from the previous meeting, discussion on wages and insurance for the fiscal year 2025-26, the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for 2025-29, and the budget for 2025-26. The session also considered a request from the Empire Area Community Center (EACC) for the use of village property and a fee waiver for the upcoming Winter Fest on February 22, 2025. Public comments and communications were also part of the agenda, with the council receiving updates from department heads and committee members.

In the January 28, 2025, regular meeting, significant attention was given to the Recreation Plan, with public comments highlighting concerns about the proposed boardwalk at South Bar Lake and the potential acquisition of additional land. The council ultimately decided to return the Recreation Plan to the Planning Commission for reevaluation. Other business included the approval of the Sidewalk Snow Support Program Policy and discussions on the CIP and budget requests, with specific focus on fund balance contributions and water rate evaluations. The meeting concluded with public comments on various village issues, including environmental stewardship, community engagement, and infrastructure needs.

The council also addressed personnel matters, with a proposal from the personnel committee to add family members to employee health insurance plans and to approve pay raises for various positions. The proposed increases aimed to align with competitive market rates in Leelanau County and included a 3% cost of living increase for certain employees, a salary increase for the Clerk, and wage adjustments for seasonal and part-time staff. These proposals were part of ongoing efforts to retain and attract qualified employees to the village’s workforce.
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