Township schedules budget workshop

By RICHARD JENKINS

rjenkins@yourdailyglobe.com

Ironwood Township — After hearing from residents at the last meeting, the Ironwood Township Board of Trustees decided more work was needed on next year’s budget; with the board Monday scheduling a budget workshop next week.

The workshop is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m., prior to the board’s Dec. 17 meeting.

During a Nov. 26 public hearing, several residents expressed their opposition to the amount of money allocated to the salaries of the three elected officials — township supervisor, clerk and treasurer — and the use of deputy positions for those offices.

The proposed budget calls for each of the three elected officials working in the township office to make $38,563 next year, a $1,123 increase from what was budgeted in 2018.

The clerk and treasurer would each split an additional $6,375 from the water fund and $6,375 from the sewer fund for work done involving those accounts.

The proposed budget also includes $150 for the deputy supervisor, $11,700 for the deputy treasurer and $10,000 for the deputy clerk.

At Monday’s meeting, Trustee Marlene Saari-Mieloszyk was directed to begin talking to those interested about serving on an ad-hoc compensation committee. Among the committee’s responsibilities would be providing input to the township board regarding the salaries for elected officials. The idea had been discussed during last year’s budget cycle but no action was taken until the issue was raised again during last month’s public hearing.

In other action:

—Supervisor Steve Boyd informed the board the township would be receiving $39,350 in funding for work on gravel roads in the township under a new formula the Gogebic County Road Commission is using. The formula takes into account the amount of gravel units in each township, rather than distributing money equally across all six townships. This means Ironwood Township and others with more gravel roads will receive increased funding.

—The board appointed Kelsey Roble as the township’s additional representative on the Powderhorn Area Utility District board.

—The board reappointed a number of members of the township’s board of review, zoning board of appeals and planning commission. All appointments renewed terms of those already serving on the boards.

—The board authorized township officials to collect the summer taxes on behalf of the Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District.

—The board approved a fireworks permit for Big Powderhorn Mountain Resort for its New Year’s Eve festivities.