Summary
The Centerville Township Board met January 14, 2026, with all five members present (Schaub, Chiles, Pleva, Arens, O’Non). The Board approved the agenda, December 10, 2025 minutes, Treasurer’s report, invoices, an amended budget, a credit card policy, an ACH policy, the 2026 meeting schedule, three school tax collection resolutions, salary resolutions for the Supervisor, Clerk and Treasurer, and a fire operations millage increase. All votes carried 5-0 unless otherwise noted.
Public Comments
Deb Kuhn reported that a sewage dumping problem on Centerville farmland was found to be legal, with no action possible; the Grand Traverse Department of Public Works has invited Centerville to discuss disposing of sewage at their plant instead. Derenda Lafevre suggested residents contact Ron Schaub for the supervisor’s newsletter and proposed storing past newsletters on the township website. Peggy Zemanek asked about the status of the Brian Rogers property; the Board responded that the last appeal was denied and action will wait until spring. Zemanek raised a related concern about a neighbor’s debris and was advised to contact the Zoning Administrator. Peggy Gauthier and Nancy Keilty were thanked for Christmas decorations, and Julie Krombeen received recognition for a perfect PA660 audit score.
Infrastructure Projects
No board-initiated infrastructure projects were discussed beyond the sewage disposal issue raised in public comment (see above); no formal action was taken.
Other Business
Commissioner Alan Campbell reported the county Finance Director was placed on leave, the county adopted a self-insured health plan costing $2.6 million (14.4% of budget, about $26,000 per employee), and county goals include communication, internet service, a staffed finance department, and a grant writer. New Zoning Administrator Scott Sheehan was introduced, hired at $16,000/year, and will attend the February 2, 2026 Planning Commission meeting. Arens reported the Northgate lawsuit is at a standstill, with a hearing set for March 16, 2026. Rolf von Walthausen suggested Planning Commission info be added to the Supervisor’s newsletter; O’Non objected to a commissioner directing the Supervisor’s content. The invocation policy was suspended (4-1 vote). ADA parking lot compliance work will begin in spring.
Financial Summary
The Board approved an amended budget through December 31, 2025, with reduced legal costs due to a pending lawsuit. School tax collection resolutions were approved for Glen Lake School (R-2026-06) and Leland Public School (R-2026-07) at $2.50 per parcel, and Northwest Education Services (R-2026-08). Salary resolutions set the Supervisor at $15,000 (R-2026-3), Clerk at $23,000 with a $3,000 increase (R-2026-4), and Treasurer at $22,000 with a $3,000 increase (R-2026-5). The fire operations millage was increased from 2.25 to 2.50 mills, projected to generate $418,000 based on current taxable value, pending an August election.
Action Items
- Arens to continue following up with AJ Excavating regarding the Rogers property.
- Schaub to meet with the assessor for the Cedar Area Fire and Rescue building assessment.
- Board to review a detailed list of budget changes at the next meeting if needed.
- Attorneys to prepare millage ballot language for the August election.
- ADA parking lot compliance work to begin in spring; O’Non to follow up on grant questions.
- Northgate lawsuit hearing scheduled for March 16, 2026, with a decision expected late March.
- Sheehan to attend the February 2, 2026 Planning Commission meeting and provide monthly ZA reports.