← Back to archive
Leelanau TownshipThursday, March 19, 2026

3/19/2026 - Leelanau Township Board | Special Meeting for Fiscal Year Budget Discussion

Summary

The meeting focused on Leelanau Township's 6-Year Capital Improvement Plan for facilities and roads, detailing projected budgets and planning for various improvement projects from 2026 to 2031. The key decisions involved funding allocations for airport renovations, township hall renovations, park improvements, and significant investments in road maintenance, alongside proposed timelines for these projects.

Public comments

No public comments were documented in the provided document.

Infrastructure projects

The infrastructure discussions revolved around several key facilities: 1. **Woolsey Airport**: A budget of $25,000 and $50,000 is allocated for hangar repairs and terminal improvements, respectively, with ongoing efforts to seek additional facilities due to high demand. 2. **Township Hall**: Discussion centered on the need for major renovations or construction of a new facility, with an estimated cost of $850,000 for renovations. A budget of $50,000 is earmarked in 2026 for planning. 3. **Cemetery Building**: Consideration of a $270,000 budget for repairs, contingent on whether a new town hall is built. 4. **Braman Hill**: Investments totaling $17,500 in 2026 for a skate park and further enhancements over the next few years, including a proposed accessibility study. 5. **Christmas Cove**: A budget for ADA accessibility improvements and facilities expansions, with a grant proposal to support funding. 6. **Buster Dame Park**: Plans for playground development and picnic area enhancements with anticipated grant matches. 7. **Omena Beach**: Focus on accessibility and erosion control, along with preventive infrastructure measures. 8. **Peterson Park**: Funds allocated for grill replacements and safety improvements.

Future road maintenance is planned with a new funding strategy that anticipates generating $186,900 from a new millage, allowing for significant annual investment in road improvements.

Other Business

Other agenda items included discussions on the potential for yearly major repairs and maintenance allocations for parks, estimated between $10,000 to $20,000.

Financial Summary

Key financial insights included: - **Total Facilities Budget**: Projected expenses increase from $154,100 in 2026 to $370,000 by 2031. - **Revenue Sources**: Facilities and road millage revenue estimated at $90,000 and $186,900 annually. - **Remaining Fund Balances**: Noted decreases and projections in ending fund balances from $444,616 in 2026 down to $106,406 by 2031, after accounting for expenses. - **Road Improvement Financing**: Estimated yearly allocations to reach road maintenance goals totaling approximately $180,000 to $250,000.

Action Items

Action items noted included: - Continue fundraising efforts for the Woolsey Airport terminal project, seeking an additional $50,000 in donations for 2026. - Begin architectural and engineering assessments for Township Hall to determine whether renovation or new construction is warranted by 2027. - Research and apply for grants for various projects including Christmas Cove and Buster Dame Park enhancements, ensuring 50% matching contributions where required. - Ongoing evaluations of park safety enhancements and accessibility studies, especially at Omena Beach and Peterson Park.

Source Document

This summary was AI-generated from the official meeting record. The full source document is the authoritative version.

Open source document →