Ellsworth council approves permits, park purchases, vehicle loan and event sponsorships
January 01, 2026 | Ellsworth, Antrim County, Michigan
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The Village of Ellsworth Council on May 11 approved a package of municipal actions including utility collection steps, park investments, a telecommunications permit and a vehicle purchase.
The council voted 7-0 to place delinquent water bills on the tax roll after a motion by L. Spearing, seconded by M. Bennett. In the same unanimous vote series, the council approved a METRO Act Right-of-Way Telecommunications permit for Peninsula Fiber Network, LLC (motion by M. Bennett; seconded by L. Spearing). The council also approved purchasing five picnic tables for Woodenshoe Park at a total cost of $5,400.92 (motion by L. Spearing; seconded by S. Sowers).
Separately, the council voted 7-0 to impose a $3.00 credit-card usage fee at Woodenshoe Park (motion by L. Spearing; seconded by S. Dhillon) and to sponsor community events — $1,200 for the Ell-Clair Fireworks and $1,000 for the Ellsworth Pig Roast — and to hire Andy Montgomery to spray ball fields for stinging bees (motion by L. Spearing; seconded by J. Rasmussen).
On equipment and fleet, the council authorized purchase of a 2026 Chevy Silverado from Jim Warning Chevrolet for $42,000. The motion (by M. Bennett; seconded by S. Sowers) specified a $20,000, four-year loan from Charlevoix State Bank at 5.4% (about $467.32 per month), with the village covering the remaining $22,000; the motion carried 7-0.
The council also gave Voice Environmental Group & Professional Engineers permission to meet with EGLE on behalf of the village regarding River Park (motion by J. Rasmussen; seconded by L. Spearing), and approved the meeting bills (motion by S. Sowers; seconded by M. Bennett). The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m., with the record signed by Marlene Drenth, village clerk.
What this means: residents can expect new park amenities and a modest new fee for credit-card use at Woodenshoe Park; the telecommunications permit clears a procedural step for Peninsula Fiber Network; and the vehicle purchase commits $42,000 of capital spending paired with a $20,000 bank loan.
The council voted 7-0 to place delinquent water bills on the tax roll after a motion by L. Spearing, seconded by M. Bennett. In the same unanimous vote series, the council approved a METRO Act Right-of-Way Telecommunications permit for Peninsula Fiber Network, LLC (motion by M. Bennett; seconded by L. Spearing). The council also approved purchasing five picnic tables for Woodenshoe Park at a total cost of $5,400.92 (motion by L. Spearing; seconded by S. Sowers).
Separately, the council voted 7-0 to impose a $3.00 credit-card usage fee at Woodenshoe Park (motion by L. Spearing; seconded by S. Dhillon) and to sponsor community events — $1,200 for the Ell-Clair Fireworks and $1,000 for the Ellsworth Pig Roast — and to hire Andy Montgomery to spray ball fields for stinging bees (motion by L. Spearing; seconded by J. Rasmussen).
On equipment and fleet, the council authorized purchase of a 2026 Chevy Silverado from Jim Warning Chevrolet for $42,000. The motion (by M. Bennett; seconded by S. Sowers) specified a $20,000, four-year loan from Charlevoix State Bank at 5.4% (about $467.32 per month), with the village covering the remaining $22,000; the motion carried 7-0.
The council also gave Voice Environmental Group & Professional Engineers permission to meet with EGLE on behalf of the village regarding River Park (motion by J. Rasmussen; seconded by L. Spearing), and approved the meeting bills (motion by S. Sowers; seconded by M. Bennett). The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m., with the record signed by Marlene Drenth, village clerk.
What this means: residents can expect new park amenities and a modest new fee for credit-card use at Woodenshoe Park; the telecommunications permit clears a procedural step for Peninsula Fiber Network; and the vehicle purchase commits $42,000 of capital spending paired with a $20,000 bank loan.
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