The Delhi Charter Township Board of Trustees met in a regular meeting on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 in the Multipurpose Room at the Community Services Center, 2074 Aurelius Road, Holt, Michigan. Supervisor Goodrich called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.


PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ROLL CALL

Members Present: Supervisor Stuart Goodrich, Treasurer Harry Ammon, Clerk Evan Hope, Trustees John Hayhoe, Jerry Ketchum, Paul Krepps, Roy Sweet

Others Present:
John Elsinga, Twp. Mgr.
Lt. Jeff Cook, Delhi Div., Ing. County Sheriff’s Office
Marian Frane, Dir. of Accounting
Rick Royston, Fire Chief
Pat Brown, Fire Marshal/Safety Officer
Amy Finch, Assistant Twp. Clerk/Deputy Clerk


POLICE DEPARTMENT

Lt. Jeff Cook, Ingham County Sheriff’s Office, Delhi Division, presented the Board with his proposed Fiscal Year 2007 Police Department Budget (ATTACHMENT I).

Lt. Cook stated that the Delhi Division of the Ingham County Sheriff’s office would like to request funding for an additional first line Supervisor/Sergeant. Currently there is a night shift Sergeant on staff less than 50% of the time.

Twp. Mgr. Elsinga stated that discussion has been held with Undersheriff Matt Meyers regarding sunsetting the D.A.R.E. officer and backfilling that with either a Deputy or a Sergeant. The Township would also like the County to consider removing the administrative charge paid by the Township as part of their agreement with the Sheriff’s department. A year ago, that charge was over $150,000. If the county could remove that charge and/or backfill that with a staff person it would complement the demand that is placed on the Township.


FIRE DEPARTMENT

Rick Royston, Fire Chief, presented the Board with the proposed Fiscal Year 2007 Fire Department Budget (ATTACHMENT II).

Resources Needed
The 2007 budget requests expenditures of $1,556,240, an increase of $90,560 from the 2006 projected actual expenditures. This budget reflects personnel costs of a full-time Chief, Fire Marshall, Secretary and 12 full-time Firefighter/Paramedics. Part-time personnel costs include an Assistant Fire Chief, Training Officer, Ambulance Billing Clerk, Fire Inspector and 40 paid on-call Firefighters.

Chief Royston stated that the Fire Department would seek bids and purchase a Rescue/Pumper truck. The Fire Department will also sell either the 1991 or 1994 Engine and the 1998 Rescue truck.

Trustee Krepps questioned the overtime line item. Chief Royston stated that if a Firefighter takes time off, another Firefighter has to work overtime to provide for four firefighters on staff.

Trustee Sweet stated that the 2006 year-to-date volunteer firefighter salaries is $39,380; however, the 2006 projected figure is $122,160. Trustee Sweet questioned if that was due to stipends paid during the end of the year. Chief Royston stated that the stipends are paid in November.

Trustee Krepps questioned the increase in legal fees. Chief Royston stated that the increase in the legal fees was due to the Firefighters’ union contract negotiations, which expires on December 31, 2006. Trustee Krepps questioned if this would be a 2006 expense instead of a 2007 expense. Chief Royston stated that it could be; however, it was placed in the 2007 budget because it was felt that the primary expense would occur in 2007. There may be some discussion prior to December 31, 2006; however, there has not been any indication that the Firefighters are ready to start negotiations yet. Chief Royston stated that the contract specifies that unless either party wants to open the contract, it will automatically continue with no modifications.

Trustee Krepps questioned if the Firefighters do not request any change to the contract after it expires, will the contract be retroactive when they do negotiate? Chief Royston stated that it would be up to the Board to decide and to what the Union agreed on.


FIRE EQUIPMENT FUND

Rick Royston, Fire Chief, presented the Board with the proposed Fiscal Year 2007 Fire Equipment Fund Budget (ATTACHMENT III).

Resources Needed
The 2007 budget requests expenditures of $690,350, an increase of $304,210 from the 2006 projected actual expenditures. This budget reflects capital outlay purchases of fire fighting equipment ($30,000) to update and replace outdated existing equipment. Additionally, miscellaneous equipment and supplies ($21,200) and a continued systematic replacement of turn out gear ($12,000) brings that total proposed equipment expense to $63,200. This 2007 budget also includes training expenses in the amount of $30,750 and a reimbursement to the General Fund for a portion of wages and associated expenses related to training for the Fire Department personnel ($146,400). A vehicle purchase in the amount of $450,000 is also included for the purchase of a Rescue/Pumper.

Revenue will be received in the amount of $361,980 from the Fire Equipment Millage, $41,500 from the General Fund contribution, $80,000 from the sale of a Pumper, $40,000 from the sale of a 1998 rescue truck and miscellaneous revenue in the amount of $32,890 for the total revenue of $556,370.

Chief Royston stated that an ambulance and command vehicle was purchased in 2006. A Pumper will be purchased near the end of 2007.

Twp. Mgr. Elsinga stated that Marian Frane, Director of Accounting, questioned why the General Fund, currently in a deficit position, needed to contribute $41,500 to the Fire Equipment, Training and Apparatus Fund (211). Chief Royston stated that he thought the Alaiedon Township contract specified that Delhi Township does that. Twp. Mgr. Elsinga stated that the contract states that Alaiedon Township pays for the value of the service; there is nothing that requires the Township to put it back into the 211 Fund. Chief Royston stated that it would be logical to transfer the funds to the General Fund. Twp. Mgr. Elsinga stated that it would get researched and if it could be done, the money would be transferred.

Chief Royston stated that the Township ambulance fees are lower than area municipalities and suggested that the Township increase their fees. Chief Royston stated that he could review Fire Department fees and bring the figures back to the Board at a later date.

Supervisor Goodrich asked if an insurance cost for fire runs would be reviewed. Chief Royston stated that there was no clear way to bill for that.

Chief Royston spoke about the possibility of getting into the non-emergency transport business. Twp. Mgr. Elsinga stated that paid on-call staff could do transporting for this type of business. Twp. Mgr. Elsinga questioned the type of fees for this type of service. Pat Brown, Fire Marshal/Safety Officer, stated that the fees would be approximately half of what the regular fees are.

Trustee Hayhoe asked if any thought has been given to hiring a private company to do the accounts receivable. Mr. Brown stated that he spoke with Medical Management Systems regarding their collection methods. Discussion was held regarding outsourcing collections.

Treasurer Ammon stated that he would like to continue having the billing done internally. Trustee Ketchum questioned the possibility of increasing the hours of the Billing Clerk position to 30 hours per week. It was stated that the Billing Clerk is currently working a full-time job in addition to this part-time position and it would not be possible for her to increase her hours with the Township.


WATER IMPROVEMENT

John Elsinga, Township Manager, presented the Board with the proposed Fiscal Year 2007 Water Improvement Fund Budget (ATTACHMENT IV).

Resources Needed
The 2007 budget shows revenue of $163,820 and expenditures of $89,220, increasing the fund balance by $74,600. If construction decreases, there may not be the revenue increase as projected.


OTHER FUNCTIONS

Marian Frane, Director of Accounting, presented the Board with the proposed Fiscal Year 2007 Other Functions Budget (ATTACHMENT V).

Resources Needed
The year 2007 budget requests expenditures of $892,580, a decrease of $510,960 from the 2006 projected actual expenditures of $1,403,540. The principal difference is due to the cost of remodeling the Community Services Center.

Trustee Sweet asked what the difference was in the Contribution to Parks Fund. Twp. Mgr. Elsinga stated that the fund included the Veteran’s Memorial Park Restroom in addition to the purchase of a lawn mower.

Ms. Frane stated that the Newsletter line item is a new item in this budget. Ms. Frane stated that there is $15,000 in the Parks Administration budget and $15,000 in the Sewer Fund budget for the newsletter as well. Discussion was held regarding a Township Newsletter. It was the consensus of the Board to put off doing a newsletter for 2007 which will save the General Fund $30,000.


DEBT SERVICES

Marian Frane, Director of Accounting, presented the Board with the proposed Fiscal Year 2007 Debt Service Budget (ATTACHMENT VI).

Ms. Frane stated that the Community Services Center Debt budget shows total revenue of $418,920 and a total expenditure of $416,610. This debt expires in 2010.

The Pine Tree Road Debt budget shows total revenue of $10,380 and a total expenditure of $37,670. It is projected that at the end of the debt schedule in 2011, the Township may be a little short due to early payments.
The Water District No. 128 – Hunter’s Glen Debt budget shows total revenue of $340 and a total expenditure of $10,400. This debt will be paid off in 2007.


LIMITED COMMENTS

There were no written or verbal responses from the public.


ADJOURNMENT

Meeting adjourned at 9:39 p.m.