The Dorr Township Board Thursday evening adopted a budget with more than $1.5 million expected revenue, and a little more money in the fund balance.
Supervisor Jeff Miling said the budget for 2023-24 is “$288,000 to the good,” the amount revenues are anticipated to exceed expenditures.
The vote was 5-2, with Clerk Debbie Sewers and Trustee Chandler Stanton dissenting.
Revenue is expected too be $1,567,300 and expenses a little more than $1.2 million. The general fund tax levy will be 0.7198 mill, down from the maximum rate of 1.05 because of provisions of the Headlee Amendment, which insists millage be rolled back when property tax revenue increases exceed the inflation rate.
The expected revenue also includes 0.4915 mill for the fire department, 2.8687 for roads and 0.2885 for the Dorr Township Library.
The biggest hunch of the revenue is state revenue sharing, which has been pegged at $804,000. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund totals $690,210.
Treasurer Laurie Perry said the state revenue sharing amount was $121,000 greater than anticiopated.
Trustee Patrick Champion said he wanted a little extra money set aside for the Wayland Area Emergency Services ambulance service. Stanton said he is opposed to any increase in taxes. Trustee John Tuinstra said he would support taking some money from the ARPA fund for that purpose.
In other business at the Thursday night’s meeting, the Township Board:
- Fielded a complaint from a local resident about the presence of rats in the downtown area along 142nd Avenue at Cherry Street. Miling suggested residents eliminate rats themselves.
- Received a warning from Allegan County Sheriff’s deputy Dylan Kibby, who noted there have been thefts of vehicles and catalytic converters in the township close to U,S.-131.
- Was told by Fire Chief Gary Fordham that the local department was able too sell its old tanker for $13,050.
- Approved Miling’s appointments of Greg Damveld and Jesse Rodrigues to the Downtown Development Authority Board. Tuinstra voted again Damveld, saying he was appointed before Tuinstra was elected to the board and a changing of the guard is desirable.
Those who wish to raise any taxes… what a shame. Sounds as though a few have what it takes to be leaders. A big raise a few months ago, now this already…. My opinion, indeed my choice.
This must be the third or fourth time the residents have been told to handle the “rat problem ” themselves.
Guess that “opens the door” for spreading rat poison without caution thru out the infested area, or maybe like the past days on the farm. Having a Sunday afternoon “rat shoot” a group of ” good old boys ” couple cases of adult beverage and a pile of dead rats. One summer of Sundays problem solved.
It might be more prudent to find the property causing the problem and get it taken care of .
Otherwise, I’m sure that a group of us “good ol boys” would enjoy a sunny Sunday afternoon listening to a ballgame, sipping an adult beverage and “plinking ” rats .