Summary
The Empire Township Board held a special meeting on February 10, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. to review the proposed 2025/2026 fiscal year budget and amend the current year's budget. Supervisor Hendricks presided, with members Noonan, Neiswonger, Price and Wiejaczka present. The Board approved several salary increases and budget line items, and adopted multiple salary resolutions by roll call vote. The meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Board increased the Campground Manager's salary to $25,000 for the season. Campground Recreational Projects were budgeted at $15,000 for the coming year. In a current-year budget amendment, the Board (motion Noonan, support Wiejaczka, all ayes) transferred $1,500 from Campground Fund Prior Surplus to Repair & Maintenance.
Infrastructure Projects
The Board amended the current year's Airport Fund budget, transferring $500 from Airport Fund Prior Surplus to Repair & Maintenance (motion Noonan, support Wiejaczka, all ayes).
Other Business
The Board increased Planning Commissioners' pay to $200/month and the Planning Chairperson's pay to $250/month. An Administrative Assistant line item of $500 was added to the Clerk's budget. Other budgeted items included Deputy Clerk salary ($5,000), County cost for Early Voting ($2,000), Office Equipment ($4,600), and Cemetery Capital Improvements ($9,000). A current-year amendment transferred $4,600 from Cemetery Fund Prior Surplus, allocating $4,000 to a Manager Bonus and $600 to Payroll Taxes (motion Noonan, support Wiejaczka, all ayes).
Financial Summary
- Treasurer's salary increased to $32,000/year (motion Noonan, support Wiejaczka; roll call all ayes).
- Supervisor salary kept at $14,000/year (motion Neiswonger, support Noonan; roll call all ayes).
- Clerk salary kept at $42,000/year (motion Price, support Noonan; roll call all ayes).
- Trustees' salaries kept at $2,400/year (motion Noonan, support Hendricks; roll call all ayes).
- Current-year General Fund amendment: $2,500 transferred from Prior Surplus to Assessor Salary ($1,000), Treasurer Supplies ($1,000), and Treasurer Equipment ($500), all ayes.
- Campground Fund: $1,500 transferred from Prior Surplus to Repair & Maintenance.
- Cemetery Fund: $4,600 transferred from Prior Surplus ($4,000 Manager Bonus, $600 Payroll Taxes).
- Airport Fund: $500 transferred from Prior Surplus to Repair & Maintenance.
Action Items
No specific follow-up deadlines or assigned tasks beyond the adopted budget resolutions were noted in the minutes.