Summary
Empire Township held a special meeting with budget hearing on March 28, 2026, following the annual meeting. Supervisor Kathy Wiejaczka called the meeting to order at 10:28 a.m. with Clerk Cheryl Clark, Trustee Casey Noonan, Treasurer Bob Price, Trustee Elizabeth Wolterink, and Deputy Clerk Sheree Nelson present. The board approved the amended agenda, held a public budget hearing, discussed the 2025 property tax millage rate, approved the 2026-2027 fiscal-year budget as amended, and addressed personnel hiring processes. 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 were financially self-sustaining, and that a pension plan was provided to township board members and one full-time employee. Later in the meeting, the board fielded public questions regarding current job vacancies and job descriptions posted on the township website. No speaker names or written comments were recorded in the minutes.
Other Business
The board discussed personnel hiring and interviewing processes for urgent vacancies. Motion by Clark, seconded by Noonan, to schedule clerk candidate interviews for the next regular board meeting on April 14; all present voted yes and the motion passed. Motion by Noonan, seconded by Clark, to create an interviewing committee for the campground host position consisting of Wiejaczka and Wolterink; all present voted yes and the motion passed.
Financial Summary
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 is expected to publish 2026 rates later this year. The proposed budget was reviewed and amended, then approved by motion of Noonan, seconded by Wolterink; all present voted yes and the motion passed.
Action Items
- Schedule clerk candidate interviews for the April 14 regular board meeting (motion by Clark, seconded by Noonan).
- Form an interviewing committee for the campground host position, consisting of Wiejaczka and Wolterink (motion by Noonan, seconded by Clark).
- Await publication of 2026 property tax rates from the Leelanau County Equalization Department.