Just One More Bite!

                              
At the September 9, 2019, meeting the Board engaged
in a lengthly discussion regarding the General Fund Budget.
Marcia Wilson stated there is not enough cash in the
General Fund to pay all the claims.

Previous to the Board meeting, Supervisors Ceminsky
and Hansen met with the Treasurer for 3 hours
to brainstorm ways to meet the General Fund
shortage and find possible ways to resolve the budget shortfall.

The results were presented and discussed at the September
Board meeting where it was stated that there was a massive
deficit from previous Boards. No information was presented to
support this argument.

In the General Fund Budget $5,000 was overspent for Township
Administration and there will be 3 more months to cover,
Communications was overspent by $1,500 and Town Hall
upkeep was overspent by $3,600. There is $7,500
remaining for professional fees.  $77,740 will be needed as
there is reduced income from projections.

A few suggestions were made and discussed addressing the
Township budget needs.
1) Can reduce the Township Administration by $9,500 if
    Clerk hours are reduced.
2) Pay staff an hourly rate for Board meetings.
3) Commissioners and staff do not get paid for 2 meetings
    on the same night.
4) Have the staff record details of what they are doing during
    their work hours so budget decisions can be made.

The Deputy Clerk works 15 hours per week, Treasurer Wilson
works 12 hours per week and the Clerk works approximately
30 hours per week.
                                   
Supervisor Hansen reminded the Board that there are 100 one dollar
bills in a $100 dollar bill!!!  Good to know!!!!

There was also a discussion to possibly post only the latest
approved Planning  Commission and Board meeting minutes
plus 1 previous year to the web site to save money. If the citizens
would like to view minutes other than what is posted, they must
go to the Town Hall and request to view them or get copies.


(In my opinion, this will take time away from the Clerk/
Deputy Clerk to do their normal job requirements. They might
spend a significant amount of time making copies for
citizens. Also, citizens, Planning Commissioners and a few 
Board members, utilize the web site to do research on issues.
No one asked the question or offered facts on how much money 
this will save the Township. Ridiculous).

The Township has $106,698.92 in CDs at this time. If a
CD were cashed in, the bank would charge a 7-day interest fee
as the penalty.
A motion was made to cash in a CD for $39,000. Four
Supervisors voted aye and Hansen abstained.  Motion carried.

Road Contractor Update:

Money was received by the Township from a Chub Lake
settlement agreement involving damage done to the Chub
Lake crossing. The Township has been renting concrete
barriers to block travel on the Chub Lake road when
travel is prohibited due to poor road conditions.
A portion of the Funds from the settlement could be utilized
to purchase and install twin gates, one on each side of the
Chub Lake road. Reflectors will be added to the gates.
The price for 2 gates is $13,200 total.  The gates will be
closed when travel in this area is prohibited due to poor and
unsafe road conditions. A motion was made
to install the twin gates on the Chub Lake road. (The money
will come from the settlement money and will save the
Township rental money over time). Supervisors
Palmquist, Barfknecht and Murphy voted aye, Mark and
Butch abstained. Motion passed.

Information taken from the September meeting CD.
CD can be purchased for $5 from the Clerk.
Includes my opinions.