Summary
The Solon Township Board held a budget meeting on March 12, 2026, following the regular meeting, to work on and approve the proposed 2026-2027 fiscal year budget. The Board reviewed revenue and expense projections, amended the 2025-2026 budget for line items that exceeded their allocations, approved the proposed 2026-2027 budget, and voted to place a Fire and Ambulance Operation Millage increase on the August Primary ballot. All motions passed unanimously except one item where a Trustee abstained.
Public Comments
During the first public comment period, there were no comments. During the second public comment period, held after the budget was approved, Jim Johnson stated that there are ways to be proactive with Assessment Districts and noted that the Drain Commissioner can assist with this. Trustee Kelly Claar responded/added that the two Drainage Districts were established before the Township had ordinances in place. No formal action was taken on these comments.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Board discussed several park-related budget items as part of the 2026-2027 budget process, including Vlack's Park/Road Closure, benches, and Solon Park, though no specific details or decisions on these individual items were recorded beyond their inclusion as budget considerations.
The Board approved a motion by Joan Gauthier, seconded by Steve Morgan, to pay Parks Committee members $75.00 per diem and the township board representative the trustee per diem. Motion carried 4-0, with Trustee Kelly Claar abstaining.
A new Parks Committee budget line item of $7,000.00 was established. Parks Maintenance remained budgeted at $40,000.00, and Parks Improvements remained budgeted at $40,000.00. The Parks Improvement Fund remained budgeted at $20,000.00. Parks and Recreation funds on hand were noted at $23,474.48.
Infrastructure Projects
The Cedar River Marina Project was noted with available funds of $25,514.03, specifically identified as not a township fund; no further discussion or decisions regarding the marina were recorded.
The Sidewalks/Roads budget line was increased from $5,000.00 to $15,000.00. The Road Improvement Fund budget was increased from $10,000.00 to $15,000.00, with $31,107.99 currently available in that fund. The Sidewalk Fund had $19,132.47 available.
The Township noted it may have to pay $24,000.00 for a District Assessment, and this amount was budgeted accordingly. In public comment, Jim Johnson raised the topic of Assessment Districts and the Drain Commissioner's role, and Kelly Claar noted the two Drainage Districts predated current Township ordinances.
Other Business
The agenda was approved as presented on a motion by Steve Morgan, seconded by Kelly Claar, carrying 5-0.
There were no vouchers to approve at this meeting.
The Board approved amending the 2025-2026 budget by transferring funds from the General Fund to cover line items that exceeded their budgeted amounts (motion by Joan Gauthier, seconded by Steve Morgan, carried 5-0).
The meeting adjourned at 9:53 P.M. on a motion by Steve Morgan, seconded by Joan Gauthier, carried 5-0.
Financial Summary
Revenue Highlights (2025-2026 actual vs. budgeted, with 2026-2027 adjustments):
- State Revenue Sharing: received $166,866.00; budgeted amount remained at $165,000.00.
- Hall Rental: received $2,450.00; budgeted amount remained at $2,000.00.
- Township Tax: received $87,235.82; budgeted amount increased from $70,000.00 to $85,000.00.
- Taxes Interest Earned: received $1,174.15; budgeted amount decreased from $1,500.00 to $1,000.00.
- Swamp Tax: collected $3,079.26; budgeted amount increased from $2,900.00 to $3,000.00.
- Local Comm Stab Share Tax/PPT: received $678.88; budgeted amount remained at $600.00.
- Cemetery: received $7,900.00; budgeted amount increased from $1,000.00 to $3,000.00.
- Permits and Fees: collected $22,140.00; budgeted amount increased from $10,000.00 to $12,000.00.
- Fire and Ambulance Operation Millage (2.50 mills): collected $373,906.84; budgeted amount was $358,000.00; millage to be increased to 3.00 mills with a new budgeted amount of $460,000.00.
- Interest Earned - Savings: received $10,536.77; budgeted amount decreased from $10,000.00 to $5,000.00.
- Metro Act Fund: received $6,291.42; budgeted amount increased from $2,000.00 to $6,000.00.
- State Education Tax: received $3,247.50; budgeted amount decreased from $3,300.00 to $3,000.00.
- 1% Administration Fee: received $36,574.45; budgeted amount increased from $34,000.00 to $35,000.00.
Totals: Total estimated receipts for 2026-2027: $780,600.00. Actual funds available: $666,678.71.
Other Funds: Road Improvement $31,107.99; Fire Sinking $192,217.60; Sidewalk Fund $19,132.47; Parks Improvement Fund $20,000.00; Total Other Funds $262,458.06.
Total anticipated income for 2026-2027: $1,447,278.71. Parks and Recreation funds: $23,474.48. Cedar River Marina Project funds: $25,514.03 (non-township fund).
Expense Highlights:
- Supervisor Salary remained at $14,000.00; Supervisor Operating increased from $0.00 to $1,000.00.
- Assessor's Salary increased from $18,000.00 to $20,000.00; Assessor Operating increased from $1,500.00 to $2,000.00.
- Clerk Salary increased from $25,000.00 to $26,000.00 (pending Annual Meeting approval); Clerk Operating increased from $5,000.00 to $6,000.00.
- Deputy Clerk budget increased from $1,000.00 to $2,000.00 for training and assistance.
- Treasurer Salary remained at $21,000.00; Treasurer Operating remained at $5,000.00; Deputy Treasurer remained at $2,000.00.
- Trustee Board Salaries remained at $6,500.00; trustee per diem remained at $135.00. New Trustee Operating line item of $2,000.00 established.
- Public Utilities remained at $13,500.00; Advertising increased from $4,000.00 to $5,000.00.
- Professional/Legal/Audit Fees increased from $15,000.00 to $25,000.00.
- New Ordinance Enforcement line item: $10,000.00.
- Miscellaneous increased from $2,500.00 to $8,000.00.
- Sidewalks/Roads increased from $5,000.00 to $15,000.00; Service Charge remained at $12,000.00.
- Board of Review remained at $3,000.00; Planning Commission increased from $10,000.00 to $15,000.00.
- New Parks Committee line item: $7,000.00.
- Board of Appeals increased from $2,000.00 to $4,000.00.
- Zoning Administrator decreased from $35,000.00 to $25,000.00; Zoning Administrator Operating remained at $5,000.00.
- ESTA increased from $1,000.00 to $5,000.00.
- Cemetery Operating remained at $14,000.00.
- Hall expenses: Custodian Salary $3,000.00, Hall Lights $1,600.00, Hall Gas $4,500.00, Hall Operating $6,000.00, Hall Renovations $60,000.00 (all remained unchanged).
- Pension increased from $9,000.00 to $10,000.00; Elections increased from $5,000.00 to $20,000.00; Insurance increased from $13,000.00 to $15,000.00.
- Parks Maintenance and Parks Improvements each remained at $40,000.00.
Fire/Ambulance Millage: Township Annual Support for Fire and Ambulance at 2.50 mills was $326,993.77 (including $25,517.10 capital outlay); new budgeted amount increased to $380,998.74 (including $30,875.69 capital outlay). The Board voted (motion by Joan Gauthier, supported by Steve Morgan) to place a Fire and Ambulance Operation Millage proposal of 3.00 mills on the August Primary ballot for two years (2026-2027), estimated to raise $460,000.00 in 2026 and $480,000.00 in 2027. Motion carried 5-0.
Other Budget Items: Anticipated Operating Expenses for 2026-2027: $855,098.74. Road Improvement Fund increased from $10,000.00 to $15,000.00. Parks Improvement Fund remained at $20,000.00. A potential District Assessment of $24,000.00 was budgeted. Contingency Fund remained at $5,000.00.
Votes: The Board approved amending the 2025-2026 budget to transfer General Fund monies to cover overbudget line items (5-0). The Board approved the proposed 2026-2027 budget (5-0).
Action Items
- Place a Fire and Ambulance Operation Millage proposal of 3.00 mills on the August Primary ballot for 2026 and 2027.
- Finalize the total anticipated income and total operating expenses after all bills are paid and income is received.
- Address the potential $24,000.00 District Assessment, which has been budgeted; Jim Johnson suggested proactive engagement with the Drain Commissioner regarding Assessment Districts.
- Confirm Clerk Salary increase to $26,000.00 pending approval at the Annual Meeting.
- Implement Parks Committee per diem payments of $75.00 and trustee per diem for the township board representative.