Summary
The Cleveland Township Board met February 11, 2025, with Supervisor Tim Stein presiding and all five members present. The Board approved minutes from two prior meetings, adopted a Poverty Exemption Resolution, approved the 2025/26 Truth in Taxation Resolution setting a total millage rate of 3.5402 mills, and approved salary resolutions for the Supervisor, Clerk, Treasurer, and Trustee per diem. The Board also discussed maintenance issues at the town hall and began preliminary budget planning for fiscal year 2025/26.
Public Comments
No formal public comment was made on the agenda or during the public forum. Members of the public present included John Imboden and a reporter (Zachary) from the Leelanau Enterprise. Imboden participated in the Old Business discussion regarding the Cedar Area Fire and Rescue Department, requesting that township meeting minutes addressing Fire and Rescue issues be sent to the Fire Board.
Other Business
Under Old Business, the Board discussed the Cedar Area Fire and Rescue Department, including a recommended 3-year contract for the Fire Chief and continued delays on plumbing work for a second fire station; the architect's role on that project was released. The Planning Commission (Todd Nowak) reported continuing work on the Master Plan housing directive and beginning review of Business 1 and Business 2 district ordinances; Dean Manikas will be absent from the March meeting. The Zoning Administrator (Scott Sheehan) reported two land use permits issued in January (a shed and a small cabin with shed), 31 active STR permits, ongoing enforcement letters to STR violators, and possible ordinance language changes regarding guest house occupancy limits. The Zoning Board of Appeals has a hearing scheduled for February 19, 2025 at 6:30 pm to review two applications. The agenda for the March 29 Annual Meeting will include updates from the National Park Service on an upcoming controlled burn and a parking lot project currently on hold, plus a Road Commission report.
Financial Summary
Treasurer Angie Diotte reported as of January 31, 2025: Revenue $302,848.49, Disbursements $94,599.24, net Revenue $216,076.99, and Bank Balance $424,326.24. The report was approved 5-0. Tax processing hours were set for 2/14/25 and 2/28/25, 9 am–5 pm.
The Board adopted the 2025/26 Truth in Taxation Resolution (5-0 roll call) setting a total levy of 3.5402 mills: .5402 mills general operating, 2.5 mills fire/emergency services, and .500 mills road maintenance, plus a 1% property tax administration fee.
Salary resolutions approved (all 5-0 roll call votes): Supervisor $16,500; Clerk $22,350; Treasurer $19,785; Trustee per diem $180.
Proposed 2025/26 budget items discussed included a new furnace, water filter, a $2,000 computer for the Treasurer, $5,000 for publications, and $350,000 for road work on Scenic Mountain View and Fairview Dr.
Action Items
- Send township meeting minutes addressing Fire and Rescue issues to the Fire Board, per John Imboden's request.
- Nello Valentine, Brian Price, and Tim Stein to complete required PA-660 BOR training.
- Board of Review meetings scheduled for March 10 (2-5 pm and 6-9 pm) and March 12 (9 am-12 pm and 1-4 pm).
- Zoning Board of Appeals hearing scheduled for February 19, 2025 at 6:30 pm.
- Continue evaluating furnace replacement (natural gas vs. propane) and water tank/iron filter repairs at town hall.
- Continue development of the 2025/26 fiscal year budget.