Summary
The Village of Suttons Bay held a special Village Council meeting on December 2, 2025, primarily to conduct a Truth in Taxation public hearing and adopt the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. At the preceding regular meeting on November 17, 2025, the Council approved 2025 year-end budget amendments, scheduled the December 2 special meeting, and heard staff and planning commission updates. Per Resolution 3 of 2025, the Council adopted the 2026 budget on December 2, 2025.
Public Comments
At the November 17 meeting, Will Case commended Village Manager Larrea and DeVol for their work on the budget, noting the Village is financially secure. Bill Crackel asked whether the coal dock lights were set to a timer or turned off for the season; no response is recorded in the minutes.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The 2026 General Fund budget includes a Parks & Recreation appropriation of $203,619. No further discussion of parks programming was recorded.
Infrastructure Projects
Larrea reported the Village received a grant with the Grand Traverse Bay Watershed for shoreline restoration at the coal dock; the Village's portion is $15,000, with $7,000 applied to engineering expenses and the remainder in-kind. The 2026 budget report notes continued emphasis on infrastructure, including state-mandated testing, preparation for an eventual water line replacement project, and wastewater treatment plant maintenance. Water rates will increase slightly in 2026, and sewer rates will rise by 2.8%, though the sewer increase will be deferred until later in 2026. Marina slip fees will increase 5% to offset a 10% State Waterways rate hike, with the Harbormaster-recommended approach splitting the increase over two boating seasons.
Other Business
Smith reported the Planning Commission will hear a proposal for expansion of the Inland Seas campus. Suppes thanked the DPW crew for fall leaf pickup. Lutke noted the Village is still seeking a DDA member. The December 2 agenda also included setting 2026 meeting dates/times and committee/board/commission appointments.
Financial Summary
On November 17, the Council approved (7-0 roll call: Smith, Christensen, Suppes, Bahle, Perkins, Yoder, Lutke all Yes) 2025 year-end budget amendments reflecting revenues of $3,580,507 and expenses of $4,212,665, partly reflecting planned purchases such as a new plow truck.
For 2026, the Truth in Taxation hearing (Report VSB-2025-40) proposed a millage rate of 8.4635, consistent with prior years and not an increase. The 2026 budget (Resolution 3 of 2025) set revenues at $3,369,360 and expenditures at $4,000,987, funded partly from savings. General Fund department appropriations include Village Council $36,675, Public Safety $108,871, Public Works $125,063, Parks & Recreation $203,619, Motor Vehicle $166,988, and Transfers Out $390,100, for a Total General Fund of $1,231,940. Other funds include Sewer $903,770, Water $311,712, Marina $914,349, Major Street $246,991, Local Street $202,565, DDA $188,660, and Property Replacement $1,000.
Action Items
- Village continues to seek a DDA member (noted by Lutke).
- Committee/Board/Commission appointments were on the December 2 agenda.
- 2026 meeting dates and times to be set at the December 2 meeting.
- Sewer rate increase of 2.8% to be implemented later in 2026.
- Marina slip fee increase to be phased over two boating seasons.