Summary
The Kasson Township Board met June 11, 2025, with all members present. The board approved the agenda, May 14 minutes, bill payments, and Resolution 09-2025 setting summer tax terms. Significant discussion centered on Road Commission project funding, fire station design and bond financing, and approval of a contested rezoning request for New Cass LLC in Maple City.
Public Comments
No public comment was offered at the start of the meeting. Later in the meeting, Chase Pasicznyk spoke to announce that Honor Bank is supporting the Erik Florip Memorial 5k on Juneteenth (the following Thursday), with proceeds benefiting veterans' families across Benzie County. No board response or action was recorded.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Supervisor Julian reported he has been working with contractors at the township park as part of his monthly activities. No further detail, decisions, or votes were noted.
Infrastructure Projects
Road Commission update: work continues on 2025 projects, and design work has begun on the 2026 Maple City project, with preliminary designs and cost estimates expected in late August. Clerk Boomer expressed concern that this timeline leaves little time for the township to secure its funding share. Julian will contact Craig Brown and Gosling Czubak to obtain a rough cost estimate sooner.
Fire Station Design: The Fire Board reviewed updated conceptual drawings. The County Building Department will require sprinklers throughout the building, adding approximately $300,000 to the project cost. Boomer and Julian have been researching bond financing, with Peninsula Township and Blair Township recommending MFCI as financial services firm. Boomer's discussions with Steve Burke (MFCI) indicate a bond request could potentially appear on the November 2025 ballot; MFCI recommends Roger Sweat of Dickinson Wright as bond counsel. The board reached consensus to continue pursuing bond financing, with Julian and Boomer to bring further documentation in July.
Interlocal Agreement: An updated draft was circulated by the Fire Board reflecting attorney feedback. Public hearings are required in all four participating townships. Boomer moved, Noonan seconded, to hold a public hearing in July; motion carried unanimously.
Other Business
New Cass LLC Rezoning: Zoning Administrator Cypher summarized a rezoning request for a Maple City parcel to allow additional density, approved at a second public hearing with unit-count restrictions. Trustee T. Carter questioned whether the matter should have first gone to the Planning Commission; Boomer noted further site plan review and county permitting will still be required. Noonan moved, Boomer seconded, to approve the rezoning. Roll call: Noonan (yes), T. Carter (no), J. Carter (yes), Boomer (yes), Julian (yes); motion carried.
Reports were given by the Planning Commission (ongoing zoning ordinance work), Zoning Board of Appeals (denied a dimensional variance), Fire Board (reviewing 2026/27 budget draft; surveys for 2026–2030 Strategic Plan to be distributed around July 1), and Clerk (no August election; November election status pending possible bond issue; MTA campaign finance compliance flyer distributed).
Financial Summary
Treasurer's Report: Receipts totaled $51,942.02; disbursements $35,056.28; balance $1,093,075.85.
Budget Report: Boomer presented the May budget report; briefly discussed with no action noted.
Bill Approval: Noonan moved, T. Carter seconded, to pay bills as presented; motion carried.
Summer Tax Resolution 09-2025: Sets summer taxes due July 1–September 15, 2025 with no interest; 1% monthly interest from September 16, 2025–February 28, 2026; 3% penalty February 18–28, 2026; taxes become delinquent March 1, 2026, payable only to Leelanau County Treasurer. Roll call vote: J. Carter (yes), T. Carter (yes), Noonan (yes), Boomer (yes), Julian (yes); motion carried.
Fire Station: Sprinkler requirement adds approximately $300,000 to project cost; bond financing being pursued.
Action Items
- Julian to contact Craig Brown and Gosling Czubak for a preliminary cost estimate on the 2026 Maple City road project.
- Julian and Boomer to continue working with Steve Burke (MFCI) and bond counsel Roger Sweat (Dickinson Wright) and report back to the board in July.
- Public hearing on the Interlocal Agreement to be held in July.
- Fire Department to distribute electronic surveys for the 2026–2030 Strategic Plan around July 1.
- Next regular board meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 9, at 7 pm.