Alice Pickering
Wyoming Township Reporter

Wyoming Township residents approved their 2008 Levy in the amount of $1,147,760.

This is a larger levy than has been passed in the last two years, but explanations about the proposed budget supported the request from the board. Residents had two options to consider and chose the larger of the two.

Betsy Houle, Treasurer, explained that the last two years, levies have been relatively flat, $200,000 less than the 2005 levy.

Reserves come from previous years’ budgeted funds which were unspent and had accumulated.

Levies for the past few years have been relatively stable, showing only gradual increases.

For 2002, the levy was $723,832; in 2003, $796,865; 2004, $800,000; 2005, $929,614; 2006, $712,189; 2007, $713,874, and for 2008, $1,147,760.

A combination of good budgets and carefully managed resources was her explanation.

In addition, the township wanted to use the reserves to benefit township residents.

However, these have been reduced to the point where they can no longer supply cash to cover bills. The 2008 budget represents “true operational costs.”

Most of the proposed increases in the Road and Bridge Department are for employee wages ($35,000), and an additional $70,000 for Road Building.

Two options were presented for the budget. Option 1 had $130,000 allocated for road construction. Option 2 had added $70,000 to that. The Road Building line item had been presented.

Boyd Bontjes had questions about what he thought were large increases in Road and Bridge wages.

Houle explained that some of the wage increases which went into effect earlier in March 2007 were paid from the reserves, as a result of a pay equity study.

This also includes a 4.5 percent cost of living increase for 2008.

The township has good employees and needed to reward them for their good work and longevity. It was that or risk losing them.

Roger Elmore, Board Chair, explained that the township maintenance crew is a good one and in order to keep them working with the township, they needed a pay increase.

Bontjes also thought the proposed increase in the Road Building line item, from 2007 ($40,000) to 2008 ($200,000) was too much.

He believes the road work would only benefit a few home owners and objected because the money to cover the work would come from all residents. He thought assessments should cover part of it.

Byron Olson, Maintenance Supervisor, explained that the money for road repairs contemplated for 245th Street and Fawn Trail, and Indian Trail, was to keep the streets in good repair, and bring them up to current specifications for township roads.

The reason for the upgrade is that there is more traffic and loads are much heavier.

The township’s engineering firm, WSB recommended the specifications.

When constructed, the road specifications required roads to have the capacity to handle seven tons. This has now been changed to nine tons.

Another line item affecting the increase in the budget is $50,000 for Annexation Legal Services.

Elmore explained that the estimate of the cost is $80,000 to be split evenly between the city of Wyoming and the township. An additional $25,000 was included in the Capital Projects for Road Blacktopping.

The tax rate for residents for residents for 2005 was 20.008; 2006, 17.870; 2007, 16.15; and 2008, 24.55.

Frank Storm continued as moderator for the continuation of the annual meeting.

In the final vote, those in favor of Option 2, was 12-6. Eighteen attended the meeting. There are 2603 registered voters in Wyoming Township.

In other business, the board:

• Approved the appointments of three residents to the township’s Planning and Zoning committee. They are Judy Coughlin, Theresa Sarff, and Mark Lobermeier. All three attended the meeting and previously had submitted letters expressing an interest in serving on the committee.

• The board approved payment of the bills in the amount of $108,461.67. One payment is for the township’s share of costs for representation by Rinke-Noonan and merger situation. Also included is the payment for the Ziegler grader.

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