Summary
The Kasson Township Board met on October 14, 2026, approving the CAFR 2027/28 budget, adopting Ordinance 2026-03 regulating gravel and aggregate removal, and scheduling a public hearing for November on a proposed amendment to the fire department interlocal agreement. The board also agreed to solicit word-of-mouth bids for snowplowing and discussed progress on local road projects and a future village parking ordinance.
Public Comments
Sandy Noonan, who has attended fire department meetings for six months, expressed concern that the fire department budget has run about 3.5% over budget this year and that building two fire stations would double the budget and required millage. She noted voters previously rejected a millage, citing concerns over Kasson being the sole funding township, station location, and size. She suggested any second station should be EMS-only and that capital costs be weighed against taxpayer impact, also noting the current Cedar station sits on a swamp with a rising water table and ongoing septic costs.
Don Drabik raised concerns about road and gravel dust from trucks in dry or wet conditions, suggesting trucks be required to be washed or cleaned underneath before using roadways.
Steve Yoder summarized county business, including the Sheriff's Department's approved 2027 K-9 unit acquisition, the search for a new County Administrator, hiring of an Interim Finance Director, and the county budget being pushed to November.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Julian reported a tree down on the fence at the township park and said he is coordinating with Deerings to have it removed.
Infrastructure Projects
Craig Brown (LCRC) reported Maple City Road has been repaved, with parking space marking and some concrete work still pending, expected to finish later in the week. Bellinger Road's new culvert has been installed, with paving expected the following week. Valley Road was paved in September and came in under budget. Fritz Road and Pettengill Road are scheduled for heavy wedge repair this year, with Fritz second priority among six remaining county projects; Elmers may not complete all its projects. The board discussed Hill Street, which would require widening to meet minimum standards if rebuilt, at township cost. Julian raised the need for a parking ordinance to enforce new village parking arrangements; four angled parking spaces with bump stops (replacing two parallel spots) were proposed in front of the Blue Maple, pending owner approval, as public right-of-way spaces. Julian, Boomer, and Brown will draft a parking ordinance for the November meeting.
The board extensively discussed the CAFR fire department interlocal agreement amendment, including ownership of land/buildings between Centerville, Solon, Cleveland, and Kasson, and the need for a possible second fire station on the western side of the service area. T. Carter requested Grier review ownership/transfer language in Amendment 2; Boomer moved and Noonan seconded to forward this request, which carried unanimously. Noonan moved, J. Carter seconded, to hold a public hearing on the First Amendment at the November meeting; motion carried.
Other Business
Ordinance 2026-03, amending the zoning ordinance to regulate earth removal, quarrying, gravel processing, and mining, was adopted by roll call vote (J. Carter, T. Carter, Noonan, Boomer, Julian all voting yes), effective November 21, 2026. The Planning Commission is working on renewable energy and data center zoning amendments and discussing housing clustering, with a gravel pit SUP renewal hearing scheduled for its October meeting. The Zoning Administrator is reviewing land division/lot split procedures with Sheehan, with updates expected in November. Clerk Boomer reported election preparations underway, with about 460 absentee ballots sent and 100 returned; early voting runs October 24–November 1. T. Carter is working with Craig Brown on village entrance identification signs.
Financial Summary
Treasurer J. Carter reported receipts of $1,839,984.83, disbursements of $1,728,994.43, and a balance of $1,684,157.96. T. Carter proposed investigating moving some checking funds into CDs. The board approved bills as presented (J. Carter moved, Noonan seconded). The CAFR 2027/28 budget was approved, with discussion of the current 2.5 millage rate and proposed figures over the next two years (Noonan moved, J. Carter seconded, motion carried).
Action Items
- Julian, Boomer, and Brown to draft a parking ordinance for the November meeting.
- T. Carter to research CD rates versus checking account interest rates.
- Snowplowing bids for the township hall and water point on Elizabeth Drive to be submitted to the Clerk by November 6 (word-of-mouth solicitation approved 4-1, T. Carter opposed).
- Grier to review ownership/transfer language in Amendment 2 of the fire department interlocal agreement per T. Carter's request.
- Public hearing on the First Amendment to the Interlocal Fire Department Agreement to be held at the November meeting.
- Julian to contact Deerings regarding tree removal at the township park, and Complete Outdoors regarding leaf blowing before the November election.
- Boomer to continue election preparations, including appointing election workers and setting the public accuracy test date.