Sanford board approves budget, picnic-table reimbursement and $45,000 kayak launch

SANFORD — The Village of Sanford board met in special session June 29 in Jerome Township and voted unanimously on a slate of fiscal and park items, including adoption of the 2026–2027 budget and approval of a $45,000 kayak launch for the Cedar Street park.

At the meeting, Council member Carl Hamann moved to approve “2025–2026 Proposed Amendment Number 1,” seconded by Council member Leah Ziems; the motion passed with all members voting yes. Council member Marcus Thrush then moved to approve the proposed 2026–2027 budget, seconded by Don Whaley; the board approved the budget unanimously.

Treasurer Travis Raymond was listed as presenting the treasurer’s report; the transcript records the heading but does not include figures or discussion from Raymond.

The board also approved a reimbursement of $2,649.90 to Treasurer Travis Raymond for ten picnic tables purchased directly from the supplier, following a motion by Marcus Thrush and a second from Don Whaley. In the same sequence of votes, the board approved Council member Leah Ziems’s motion to allow Water District #1 to remove inactive service connections in the Village Park; Marcus Thrush seconded that motion.

Council member Marcus Thrush moved to allocate $45,000 for a kayak launch to be installed at the end of Cedar Street; Leah Ziems seconded. The board voted unanimously to approve the expenditure. The transcript records the motion and the roll-call yeas but does not record detailed discussion of site plans, permitting, or proposed contractors.

The meeting closed with general council remarks and a motion by Don Whaley, seconded by Leah Ziems, to adjourn at 7:35 p.m. The meeting minutes are signed by Dolores Porte, Village President; the clerk, Janell Kopke, was recorded as absent.