3/11/2025 - Leelanau Township Board | Special Meeting to Discuss Draft Budget

Summary

The meeting focused on reviewing and recommending amendments to the budget for various funds of Leelanau Township. Key outcomes included adjustments in revenue and appropriations across multiple funds, highlighting changes in estimated revenues and operating expenses for the fiscal year.

Public comments

No public comments were recorded during the meeting.

Affordable housing initiatives

Affordable housing initiatives were not discussed in this meeting.

Parks and recreation matters

Parks and recreation matters were briefly addressed. A capital outlay request for Peterson Park was noted with an amount of $1,700. Forest management costs and improvements to recreational infrastructure were also mentioned for future consideration.

Infrastructure projects

Infrastructure projects included several budget adjustments: - The budget for electricity, heating, and maintenance services across various departments was discussed with adjustments noted. For example, the electricity appropriations were set to be increased to $3,000. - Repairs and maintenance for the Village Water and Sewer services were allocated $3,300 and $3,000 respectively, reflecting ongoing infrastructural needs. - A capital outlay for road improvements was proposed with a recommended budget of $400,000, reflecting the township's prioritization of enhancing its infrastructure.

Other Business

Additional agenda items included discussions on salary adjustments for various departments, increased health insurance rates, and contract services. Various line items across the budget displayed increments or reductions based on anticipated needs.

Financial Summary

- Total estimated revenues across all funds increased to $5,011,043.17 while total appropriations reached $5,492,471.71. - A significant net deficit of $228,021.00 was noted, indicating the need for further budgetary evaluation. - Specific fund allocations included sizable increases in estimated revenues for emergency services, with a highlighted $900,000 for EMT salaries, which reflects the importance placed on emergency personnel.

Action Items

- Department heads are instructed to review their budget requests for possible reallocation, particularly regarding increased operational costs in salaries and insurance. - Follow-ups required on the review of capital outlay proposals for parks and road infrastructure to ensure alignment with township financial capabilities.