Highlights from the January Board of Trustees meeting

The Casco Township Board of Trustees met on Thursday January 23, 2025 at 7:00 pm after adjusting the schedule to accommodate the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Day holiday and a subsequent rescheduling due to inclement weather.

SHAES: South Haven Area Emergency Services Chief Brandon Hinz reported that fire department responses in Casco Township have increased in recent years:

2021	2022	2023	2024
157	124	135	170

In 2024, Fire and ambulance together responded to 258 calls in Casco and 2,699 overall. He affirmed recent staff increases, as part time staff plus overtime drives up personnel costs.

County Commission: Commissioner Brad Lubbers reported that Gale Duggan was elected Chair and Scott Beltman was elected Vice-Chair.

He reported that two of the County warning systems failed on a recent test.

Clerk: First term clerk Rachel Ridley is now a notary.

She has converted the Township to a new payroll service with the first direct deposits scheduled for January 28.

Treasurer: Kenny Clevenger and Supervisor Allan Overhiser recently met with Sturgis Bank, which offers additional services applicable to the collected tax account. The Treasurer will implement remote capture of checks using a scanner on site. Additionally, taxpayers will be able to use a credit or debit card to pay taxes at no cost to the Township, though the taxpayer will need to cover a 3% processing fee. These changes will go into effect likely during the second quarter.

Huntington Bank, which holds the Township's General Fund, offers services that will allow property owners to pay permits online. The Township will also move to sweep accounts which accommodates balances that exceed the FDIC insured limit of $250,000-$500,000. Clevenger also expects to use wires and ACH to make large payments to entities for whom the Township collects taxes.

Planning Commission: Trustee Dan Fleming reported that a liquor license request from Daydreamer Domes dominated the most recent meeting. In work with the Master Plan, the Commission is seeking to change the minimum dwelling size to 720 square feet; updating language on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs); and was relatively unhappy with the first draft of the master plan update generated by Planning Consultant McKenna Associates.

Zoning Board of Appeals: Trustee Mary Campbell reported that a 9' variance to enclose a patio was granted to a homeowner on Longfellow.

Parks & Recreation: Campbell reported that the committee is exploring fundraising opportunities. EGLE urged that a wetlands assessment be completed at the Casco Township Nature Preserve before any soil is moved. The installation of interpretive signs is the last item remaining of the Nature Preserve project.

Casco Senior Advisory Committee: Chair Linda Teeter reported that Van Buren Senior Services launched programing at the Casco Township site on January 6. Exercise is offered twice a week, lunch is offered once a week, and other activities on occasion.

Other Business:

Board of Review: Casco residents Dave Campbell, Matt Hamlin, and Mary Tobin were reappointed to the Board of Review. The Board of Review holds its first meeting on March 12.

Short Term Rental (STR) hotline: A contract with Granicus was renewed. This company provides the hotline services for short term rental complaints. Fees of $11,719 are paid out of STR registration fees.

2025 Poverty Resolution: The resolution for the 2025 Poverty exemption (from property taxes) was approved. This allows property owners who meet HUD poverty level rates to have property tax forgiven for one year if their application is submitted and approved.

Mount Pleasant 100 year anniversary: The township will issue a resolution to commemorate the Mount Pleasant Subdivision's 100th anniversary, scheduled for celebration on July 4.

Road Budget: The current Road fund balance is $642k. Tax collection will bring an additional $792k and the county will contribute $50k for a total revenue of $1.485M. Projected expenditures include dust control ($44k), mowing ($6k), prepping and paving 68th St ($1.155M) and fog coat/chip/seal at $280k. 66th St is to be resealed, Baseline Rd to 109th. 62nd St is to be resealed 109th to the Township line.

Any balance in the Road fund will be banked until next year, anticipating a big paving project in 2027.

Supervisor Overhiser reported that the County will be milling and resurfacing all of 109th into Pullman.

Earned Sick Time Act: Clerk Ridley reported on State mandated changes to the sick leave policy. The Township Attorney will set the policy.

Michigan Association of Municipal Clerk Training: Clerk Ridley requested and received funding to attend this training program held in Mount Pleasant every three years.