Summary
The Empire Township Board held a special meeting and budget hearing on March 28, 2026, following the annual meeting. Supervisor Kathy Wiejaczka called the meeting to order at 10:28 a.m. with all board members present. The board approved the amended agenda, held a public budget hearing, reviewed and approved the 2026-2027 fiscal-year budget as amended, and addressed personnel hiring processes for current vacancies. The meeting adjourned at 11:07 a.m.
Public Comments
During the public budget hearing, the board answered public questions and confirmed that the township campground, cemetery, and airport are financially self-sustaining, and that a pension plan is provided to township board members and one full-time employee. Later in the meeting, the board answered additional public questions regarding current job vacancies and job descriptions posted on the township website. No specific speaker names or written comments were recorded.
Financial Summary
Supervisor Wiejaczka discussed the 2025 property tax millage rate of 0.4095, which was factored into property tax estimates for the proposed 2026-2027 fiscal-year budget. The Leelanau County Equalization Department will publish the 2026 rates later in the year. The proposed budget was reviewed and amended, then approved on a motion by Trustee Casey Noonan, seconded by Trustee Elizabeth Wolterink; all present voted yes and the motion passed.
Other Business
The board discussed personnel hiring and interviewing processes for urgent vacancies. On a motion by Clerk Cheryl Clark, seconded by Noonan, the board scheduled clerk candidate interviews for the next regular board meeting on April 14; all present voted yes. On a motion by Noonan, seconded by Clark, the board created an interviewing committee for the campground host position, consisting of Wiejaczka and Wolterink; all present voted yes.
Action Items
- Schedule and conduct clerk candidate interviews at the next regular board meeting on April 14.
- Wiejaczka and Wolterink to serve on the interviewing committee for the campground host position.
- Leelanau County Equalization Department to publish 2026 property tax rates later this year.