Elberta Village Council adopts FY2026–27 budget, approves pay scales, insurance renewal and appointments

The Elberta Village Council on Feb. 19, 2026, adopted the villagef2s fiscal year 2026u201327 budget and approved a series of companion actions including pay-scale resolutions, contract renewals and appointments.

During an open public hearing on the proposed FY2026u201327 budget, council members received public comment and then reconvened the regular meeting. Councilmember Ken Holmes moved to adopt Resolution #2026 to approve the FY2026u201327 budget; the motion was seconded by Ryan Fiebing and passed by roll call with all present voting aye (Bill O'Dwyer was absent). The minutes state the hearing record was taken but do not transcribe speakersu2019 public comments.

The council also approved two pay-scale resolutions. Resolution #2026-001, to set the wage and compensation pay scale for appointed and elected officials, was moved by Village President Jennifer Wilkins and approved by roll call. Resolution #2026-002, setting the pay scale for village employees, was moved by Fiebing and likewise approved. The minutes record each resolution as adopted with no nays.

Other financial actions included approval of the FY2026 check register for Jan. 12u2013Feb. 12, 2026, totaling $47,986.34, and approval of payroll for Jan. 12u2013Feb. 10, 2026, totaling $21,818.25; Village President Wilkins recused from the payroll vote. The council approved an annual liability insurance renewal with Municipal Underwriters of West Michigan, Inc. for $17,723.00.

The council approved FY25/26 budget amendments (Resolution #2026-003) affecting the General Fund, Major Local & Municipal Streets and the Water Fund, and authorized the clerk to issue an RFP for a five-year operating and capital budget projection with cash-flow modeling and an RFP for external audit services to licensed CPA firms. The council also authorized, contingent on firm selection, the Village President to submit the project proposal to the Michigan Department of Treasury for funding consideration.

Appointments and personnel actions included the appointment of Dan Carter and Jill Fogg to the Planning Commission and the appointment of Tammy Radionoff as council trustee. The council approved the renewal of the Life Saving Station management contract for 2026 and accepted the resignation of on-call DPW employee Justin Towle. Policy amendments approved included revisions to Purchasing & Disbursement Procedures (Policy #2014-006) and approval of Policy #2026-003 on wage, timekeeping, payroll, overtime and leave. The council also approved changing Village President Wilkins' bank access at State Savings Bank and Honor Bank to read-only while retaining signatory status.

Reports to the council included verbal and written updates from County Commissioner Gary Sauer, LSS Manager K. Mills, Zoning Administrator J. Mills, DPW representative Cervantes, Clerk Rachel Perkins and Treasurer M. Cederholm. An extended public comment period was held; the minutes note comments were taken but do not record their content.

The meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m. Minutes were prepared and posted by Clerk Rachel Perkins.