Though Townbroadcast called it “The Year of Living Dangerously” for the 2025-26 fiscal year budget, the Leighton Township Board emerged unscathed in matters of money.
The board Thursday evening unveiled a fiscal year 2026-27 budget with $2.866 million in projected revenue and $2.71 million in expenses. This was a stark contrast with a budget adopted a year ago that showed a fund balance of a miniscule $203, or only 1 percent.
The almost $3 million in the current rainy day fund was distributed for other expenses, such as public safety, roads and the fire department, making the final leftover figure $92,005.
Despite Townbroadcast’s concerns, Supervisor Steve Wolbrink insisted Leighton was in no serious financial trouble.
In other business at Thursday night’s meeting, the Township Board:
- Agreed to spend about $365,000 on repaving 2nd Street from 144th Avenue to 108th Avenue.
- Awarded the bids for mowing to Triple J for Hooker Cemetery and Potts Landscape Management for the remainder of township property.
- Agreed to continue to meet on the second Thursday of each month except in April (the 16th) because of spring break and February (the first Thursday) in fiscal year 2026-27.
- Learned that the Allegan County Road Commission’s bill for graveling was about $12,500 less than budgeted, so it was decided to use it with the capital improvements and road funds to pay for the 2nd Street paving.
- Fielded a variety of comments from the audience about the poor job of grading on Ninth Street, which is plagued with lots of water a d deteriorating conditions.
- Approved payment of $3,100 for concrete repair at the entrance of the township library.
- Took no action on a request from Wayland Union Schools to help pay with $13,359 for a resource officer. The schools hired the officer two years ago, but the grant that launched the program dried up this year. Though no vote was taken, it appeared a majority of board members opposed the expenditure.
- Learned from Library Board representative Faith Miedema that the Township Library made $823 from its most recent book sale. That amount will be used to buy new books.
- Discussed, but took no action on the possibility of crafting an ordinance to regulate data centers, noting the troubles that have surfaced in neighboring Dorr Township.
- Approved the budgets for street lighting ($35,392), public safety ($777,785 for coverage from two Allegan County Sheriff’s deputies) and Roads Fund ($350,000).
