6.22.22 (Budget)

The June 22, 2022, meeting of the Davison Township Special Budget Board was primarily focused on administrative adjustments for the upcoming fiscal year. Key items included amending the 2022-2023 meeting schedule to accommodate election cycles and approving new staffing for the Clerk’s Department.

A significant portion of the meeting involved a debate regarding the 2022-2023 budget. While Supervisor Slezak presented a budget with minor changes and a 2.5% wage increase assumption, Treasurer Green raised serious concerns regarding an $855,000 deficit in the Parks Department. Green proposed forming a committee to monitor Parks Department expenditures, a move that Clerk Miller opposed as "micro-managing."

The Board also addressed the need for contract labor to assist the Clerk’s Department and approved a small pay increase for a staff member in the Treasurer’s Department.

• Meeting Schedule: The 2022-2023 schedule was amended to move the August DDA meeting and the November ZBA meeting to avoid conflicts with elections.
• Budgetary Concerns: Treasurer Green highlighted a substantial deficit in the Parks Department, prompting a debate over departmental oversight and cost-saving measures.
• Staffing Updates: The Board approved a new hire for the Clerk's Department and contract labor from Richfield Township to assist with election-related tasks.
• Wage Negotiations: The budget includes a 2.5% wage increase assumption, though negotiations are ongoing and may affect the final budget.

• Jim Slezak: Supervisor
• Patrick Miller: Clerk
• Tim Green: Treasurer
• Matt Karr: Trustee
• Lori Tallman: Trustee
• Jay Rendon: Chief of Police
• Matt Place: Building Official
• Jami Vert: Recording Secretary
• Jessica Harmon: New hire, Clerk’s Department
• Chris Walker: Treasurer’s Department staff
• Tracy Hook: Contract Labor (from Richfield Township)
• Casey Reed: Parks & Rec Director (Absent)

• Agenda Amendment: The agenda was amended to include meeting schedule changes, a new hire, budget discussion, contract labor, and a pay raise for Chris Walker.
• Personnel Approval: Approval of Jessica Harmon as a new hire for the Clerk's Department, subject to background and drug testing.
• Contract Labor: Approval of Tracy Hook to provide part-time assistance (10 hours/week) for up to two months.

• Meeting Date: June 22, 2022
• Budget Vote Date: June 29, 2022
• Contract Labor Duration: Not to exceed two months.

• Location: Davison Township Municipal Center, 1280 N. Irish Road, Davison, MI 48423.

• The meeting was called to address immediate personnel needs in the Clerk's Department and to review the preliminary 2022-2023 budget prior to the final vote.

• Jessica Harmon Salary: $19.00/hour.
• Chris Walker Pay Increase: Increased from $14.00/hour to $15.00/hour.
• Tracy Hook Contract Rate: $25.00/hour.
• Parks Department Deficit: Approximately $855,000.
• Wage Assumptions: 2.5% increase currently proposed in the budget.
• Cell Phone Allowance: Potential increase from $360 to $720 per person if a new building inspector is hired.

• Adopt the Agenda: MOTION BY SLEZAK, SECOND BY GREEN. Carried unanimously.
• Approve Amended Meeting Schedule (2022-2023): MOTION BY GREEN, SECOND BY KARR. Carried unanimously.
• Approve New Hire (Jessica Harmon): MOTION BY KARR, SECOND BY TALLMAN. Roll Call: Green – yes; Karr – yes; Miller – yes; Tallman – yes; Slezak – yes. Carried unanimously.
• Approve Contract Labor (Tracy Hook): MOTION BY TALLMAN, SECOND BY MILLER. Roll Call: Karr – yes; Miller – yes; Tallman – yes; Green – yes; Slezak – yes. Carried unanimously.
• Approve Pay Rate Increase (Chris Walker): MOTION BY KARR, SECOND BY TALLMAN. Roll Call: Miller – yes; Tallman – yes; Green – yes; Karr – yes; Slezak – yes. Carried unanimously.

• Background/Drug Testing: Complete background checks and drug testing for Jessica Harmon (Assigned to Clerk's Department/Casey Reed).
• Budget Finalization: Final budget vote to occur on June 29, 2022.
• Election Assistance: Reach out to "Lattie" regarding potential election assistance.