By a 4-2 margin, the Orion Township Board of Trustees approved the township’s 2008 budget during their regular meeting last week (Oct. 15).
Trustees John Garlicki and Matt Gibb voted against the budget, both saying that it leaves certain issues unresolved.
‘I look at this budget like a master plan,? Trustee Neal Porter said. ‘It’s a goal for next year. We have reduced the tax levy from the maximum, which I think we can live with.?
One focal point in the budgeting was coming to a consensus with regards to oversight of township grounds, as both Parks & Recreation and Buildings & Grounds have had control of certain aspects in recent years.
‘The big issue was we’ve discussed changes that needed to go forward because we’ve had problems with two departments that have almost identical grounds issues,? Dywasuk said.
‘Some places there are overlaps and some places have gaps,? he added.
As a result, the budget indicates all of that work will fall under the direction of Reenae Tulip in the Buildings & Grounds department.
Township resident and former Township Trustee Will Wilsher said that, along with moving job responsibilities, salaries should be adjusted. He said he would be bringing forward an agenda item at a future meeting on reducing the salary of Parks & Rec. Director Rock Blanchard.