During the Empire Township Board regular meeting on March 10, 2026, several key decisions were made, including committee appointments, budget adjustments, and the acceptance of a clerk's resignation. The board continued discussions on affordable housing and operational improvements, while also addressing public comments regarding staff workload and record management.
Public Comments
No speaker names were provided, but public comment focused on the township's handling of clerk resignations and concerns over stress and workload were raised. There was a recommendation to post available positions with the Michigan Townships Association to attract potential candidates.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
The Affordable Housing Committee is scheduled to meet on March 11, 2026, to further discuss the proposed development on 40 acres along Benzonia Trail.
Parks and Recreation Matters
No specific discussions were noted regarding parks and recreation in this meeting.
Infrastructure Projects
A public hearing on the Vertical Bridge application for a new communications tower is set for March 25, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the Empire Township Hall. Progress on a renewable energy ordinance and a zoning ordinance review was also reported.
Other Business
The board worked on finalizing the rules of procedure and discussed various operational reports, including the treasurer's report detailing financial activities. Further discussions were held regarding the upcoming transition in clerk positions and operational staffing needs.
Financial Summary
The meeting included several budget-related motions, including:
- Approval for a staff accountant position at $25/hour for approximately 5 hours/week.
- A Clerk-Election Assistant position at $25/hour for about 10 hours/week.
- An Office Assistant position at $20/hour for around 5 hours/week, with a split vote (Clark, Price, Wiejaczka, and Wolterink voted yes; Noonan voted no).
- A seasonal Campground Host position that offered housing/site compensation.
- Approval for a tax assessor’s laptop not to exceed $1,500.
The cost for an automated payroll system with Integrated Payroll, amounting to $1,700/year plus a $100 setup fee, was also approved.
Action Items
- Advertise for the clerk position immediately following the resignation acceptance.
- Schedule office cleanup on March 24, 2026, at 9 a.m.
- Continue to discuss recommendations to post positions with the Michigan Townships Association in response to public comments.
Source Document
This summary was AI-generated from the official meeting record. The full source document is the authoritative version.