Dorr Township Board members pretty much agree that the current township hall isn’t adequate in handling space requirements to conduct business.
But there are differences of opinion on what to do about it.
Supervisor Jeff Miling led a discussion Thursday night on what can be done to alleviate overcrowded conditions, but it took a lot of time before his colleagues told him to go ahead and seek bids for an architect’s services in drawing up plans for a building 1600-square-foot addition.
There was a lack of consensus about whether an addition is the best way to go, or perhaps purchase of another property and building, or perhaps keeping things the way they are.
Miling clearly stated his preference for tacking on addition on the south side of the hall. He said such a move would retain the parking lot, keep township services in a central location and could take advantage of about $330,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
“I think this is the cheapest way to take care of the township for the next 20 years,” the supervisor said.
Trustee Dan Weber agreed it’s a better option that finding another location.
“Buying a piece of land would be way more expensive,” he maintained. But he commented earlier in the meeting, “Just dropping in an addition may not be the answer.”
Trustee John Tuinstra said local officials should find ways to better use existing space, perhaps suggesting personnel show up only when space is available.
Of course, one huge problem is money.
Miling outlined a couple of options, adding an 0.18 mill local tax levy annually for 20 years or an 0.268 mill levy over 15 years.
“This really wouldn’t cost taxpayers very much,” Miling said.
The supervisor said if the township passes one of the millages by the end of next year, it could reduce the cost by about $300,000. He added that the current capital improvements fund would provide another $100,000.
Trustee Chandler Stanton asked Miling where he got the information about the costs. The supervisor said he had a long chat with someone familiar with the current building and with the construction project more than 30 years ago.
Miling noted the current tax levy in Dorr Township is 0.7198 mills, rolled back from just over a mill because of provisions of the Headlee Amendment.
The supervisor promised to come back next month with cost estimates from at least three potential architects.
In other business at Thursday night’s meeting, the board:
- Adopted a zoning ordinance amendment permitting the rezoning of the Stein family properties in the northwest section of the township at 24th Street and 108th Avenue, not far from Salem and Byron townships. The rezoning will be from agricultural and commercial (the Modern Roofing building) to rural estates. Stanton cast the lone dissenting vote, insisting that septic assessments there are “severe” and the land in question is regarded as “prime farm land.”
- Was told there are vacancies on the Library Board and on the Parks Commission, one seat on each.
- Agreed to assess $70,000 for the street lighting fund.
