Spring Arbor Township Board Minutes: February 24, 2003

A special meeting of the Spring Arbor Township Board was held Monday, February 24, 2003, at 6:30 p.m., with the following members present: Supervisor Will DeGraaf, Clerk Randi DeVries, Treasurer Gloria Melchiori, Trustees Marston Fortress, Troy Ganton and Brent Williams. Trustee Patricia Short arrived at 7:10 p.m.

Guests: Dick Greenslade, Russ Ratkiewicz. Supervisor DeGraaf opened the meeting with the pledge of allegiance.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the budget for the 2003-04 fiscal year. Supervisor DeGraaf presented information regarding projected revenues for the current fiscal year.

NEW BUSINESS:

A. Fire Budget. Motion was made by DeVries and supported by Ganton to authorize the purchase of a 1998 Jeep Wrangler in the 2002-03 fiscal year instead of the 2003-04 fiscal year, not to exceed $12,900.00. Roll call: 6 Yes.

Motion was made by Williams and supported by Ganton to pay the three –or four-man squad a stipend of $20.00 per night; carried.

B. Police budget. Motion was made by Fortress and supported by Short that at the township’s discretion, they can assign a police vehicle to a full-time officer to be housed at the officer’ home in a garage if the officer lives within three miles, and if the officer takes responsibility for the care and maintenance of that vehicle and that arrangements be made with the Police Chief for 24-hour access to the vehicle; carried.

DISCUSSION:

The board members then discussed budget items in the general fund, the request from the Park Committee for the development of Harmony Park, and also discussed looking at ways to reduce expenses overall.

Motion was made by Short and supported by Fortress to go in to executive session at 8:19 p.m.; carried.

Motion was made by Short and supported by DeVries to rise from closed session at 8:31 p.m.; carried.

Trustee Ganton and Treasurer Melchiori left the meeting at 8:31 p.m.
The board members continued to discuss items projected for the next fiscal year and looked at the current fund balance.

Clerk DeVries left the meeting at 8:47 p.m. and returned at 9:20 p.m.
Discussion continued regarding the budget, identifying which budget items were considered capital outlay and could be funded from the fund balance, and shich items were considered a part of general operations. The board members also discussed salaries, fringe benefits, and a premium-only plan.

Adjournment. Motion was made by Williams and supported by DeVries to adjourn at 11:00 p.m.