Summary
The Bingham Township Board met on July 20, 2026, with all members present and a quorum established. The Board approved the agenda (with an addition regarding a Township credit card), approved June regular and special meeting minutes, and took action on several administrative and budgetary matters, including wage increases for non-elected employees, payment to Suttons Bay for zoning services, exploration of a debit card for Township use, and approval of vendor and payroll payments. Committee reports covered Parks & Recreation, Building & Grounds, Cemetery, and Zoning/STR administration. Public comments raised concerns about data centers, Parks & Recreation staffing, and a neighboring property maintenance issue.
Public Comments
- Todd Stone asked whether the Township has policies regarding data centers. Trustee/Zoning Administrator Steve Patmore responded that the Township has a 10,000 square foot limit and no industrially zoned area, so he does not consider the Township vulnerable to such development.
- Cindy Kacin noted that other townships are also discussing data centers and suggested that townships come together to discuss a county-wide plan. Supervisor Midge Werner suggested this could be raised at a supervisors' meeting.
- Todd Stone also reported that the Parks & Recreation committee is down to 3-4 members, that he and his wife will be stepping down soon, and suggested the chairman position be made a paid role so someone can also perform the necessary work. This was a suggestion from Stone, not a Board decision.
- Travis McKinney raised concerns about a neighboring property (Mr. Walters) that has become increasingly cluttered, including additional cars, cement pieces, and bags of debris. McKinney, a builder, stated that clients have refused adjacent property due to the condition, harming his livelihood. He asked whether the Board has a plan to address the issue. A discussion followed involving the Board and public, reviewing prior conversations with Mr. Walters. Werner agreed to place the matter on the agenda for the next meeting.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
Under the Fire Authority report, Larry Mawby gave a presentation about an affordable housing program in Suttons Bay. No Board discussion, decision, or vote was recorded regarding this presentation.
Parks and Recreation Matters
- Todd Stone noted the committee is down to 3-4 members and suggested a paid chairman position (see Public Comments).
- The Board discussed a document-display program used for meetings; the current operator no longer wishes to continue in that role.
- Discussion was held on obtaining a debit card (rather than credit card) for Parks & Recreation purchases to avoid staff paying out-of-pocket and seeking reimbursement. Grant moved / M. Korson supported authorizing the Supervisor and Clerk to explore a low-limit debit card option; motion carried 5-0.
- Werner reviewed recent Parks & Rec committee minutes: buoys will be placed in the water at Boughey Park; the horseshoe pit needs repair and its future use is uncertain, though it has historical value; the stone wall at Boughey needs review, with Isaac Mikowski and Zach Van Dyke identified as possible workers; sand is needed under the swings; the boat-shaped concrete sandbox is not draining and drilling holes was proposed as a solution; the park bathroom has been shut down and replaced with portable toilets, with Werner to evaluate the roof to determine whether it should be repaired or torn down.
- At Hendryx Park, the Road Commission was expected to replace sand washed away in a storm; a pond has since formed in the beach area. Werner will contact Robyn Schmidt regarding a permit to fill it in.
- A resident requested the trash can area be enclosed, but this could complicate trash pickup vehicle access.
- Parks & Rec meeting dates should be posted, and park boundary signs should be installed, pending determination (possibly via survey) of park boundaries.
Other Business
- No conflicts of interest were declared.
- June 15, 2026 regular meeting minutes and June 22, 2026 special meeting minutes (with an adjustment) were approved 5-0.
- Non-elected employee wage rates were discussed, including election workers, the Assessor, Parks & Rec volunteers, and Cemetery Committee volunteers. After an initial 3% increase motion was made and withdrawn, the Board approved a wage increase schedule for non-elected employees as detailed in an attached wage document; motion carried 5-0.
- The Board discussed the Sutton Bay Zoning Contract; Patmore, who serves as zoning administrator for both townships, will provide a breakdown of his time spent on Bingham matters.
- A new Building & Grounds vacuum cleaner purchase was approved, to be paid from the 245 budget line item; motion carried 5-0.
- Cemetery Committee: a large tree limb fell at Maple Grove cemetery, possibly damaging gravestones. The Board authorized Patmore to obtain an estimate for limb removal and a recommendation on the remainder of the tree; motion carried 5-0.
- Zoning Administrator Patmore reported 12 permits issued in the last 6 weeks; the Planning Commission did not meet in July.
- The Assessor submitted a written quarterly report.
- The Treasurer reported on monthly expenses and noted tax payments are coming in.
- The Supervisor reported the parking lot would be seal coated over the weekend, weather permitting.
- No further public comments or announcements were made at the end of the meeting.
Financial Summary
- Non-elected employee wages: election workers currently paid $17/hour, chair paid $20/hour; a wage increase schedule for non-elected employees was approved (specific new rates detailed in an attached document, not specified in the minutes).
- Payment of $2,032.07 to Suttons Bay for zoning administrative services was approved 5-0.
- Vendor payments totaling $24,275.10 (including the Suttons Bay Township payment) and payroll payments totaling $13,337.45 were approved 5-0.
- Vacuum cleaner purchase approved, to be funded from the 245 budget line item.
- Cemetery insurance coverage: up to $10,000 for gravestone damage and up to $5,000 for branch removal.
- A debit/credit card option for Township and Parks & Recreation purchases is being explored, with preference for a low-limit debit card without cash advance capability.
Action Items
- Steve Patmore to provide a time breakdown of his zoning administrator work for Bingham Township.
- Supervisor and Clerk to explore and apply for a low-limit debit card for Township use.
- Steve Patmore to obtain an estimate for tree limb removal at Maple Grove cemetery, get a recommendation on the remaining tree, and advise Werner of cost and recommendation.
- Werner to evaluate the roof of the closed park bathroom to determine whether it should be repaired or demolished.
- Werner to contact Robyn Schmidt regarding a permit to fill in the pond that formed at Hendryx Park.
- The Walters property maintenance issue raised by Travis McKinney will be placed on the agenda for the next Board meeting for further discussion and potential action.
- Parks & Rec committee to review and make a recommendation on repairing the stone wall at Boughey Park.
- Park boundaries need to be determined (possibly via survey) before boundary signage can be posted.