It was give and take Monday night as Independence Township Trustees came to a budget compromise.
The budget passed, 5-2, Supervisor Dave Wagner and Treasurer Curt Carson voting against. The 2010 general fund, $5,021,970 , has a surplus of $10,992.
The compromise combines Wagner’s recommended budget with Trustee David Lohmeier’s service-focused budget.
Wagner sought $65,720 more than Lohmeier’s budget for the supervisor’s office, $70,780 for assessing, and $65,000 for building department.
Lohmeier budget sought $95,000 more than Wagner’s for Parks and Recreation, $10,795 for the township board, $4,000 for legal, and $18,200 for the clerk’s office.
In the compromise deal, township board and fund assessing went Wagner’s way, while clerk, building, and parks and rec were in Lohmeier’s budget favor. The approved budget meets in the middle on legal and supervisor’s budget.
“We have a lot of differences at this table, but I believe I speak for everybody up here when I say I’d just as soon not cut anything,” Lohmeier said. “We’re just all trying to do it in the fairest way and there is a difference on what ‘fair’ is.”
The approved budget means cutting staff in the building department to three people, as well as clerical staff in assessing, treasurery, and clerk.
Trustee Neil Wallace said the building department’s funding of $453,100, as suggested by Lohmeier, ‘fits the actual level of services required by the township.?
Trustee Mark Petterson was worried about going ‘too far too quickly.?
‘I think the supervisor’s budget tonight adequately reflects where we should be for now,? he said. ‘We can change these numbers anytime we want ? we’re the board.?
He was also worried about making the building department ‘inoperable.?
‘Crush building department down to three people? It will not be able to operate on three people,” Petterson said.
Wagner agreed and suggested looking at the department in upcoming months to see if it would be the right thing to do. The budget would also save some parks and rec programs and keep Deer Lake Beach open.
Treasurer Curt Carson voted against the compromise because parks and rec funding was too high.
‘Since the original budget that has come out, we’ve worked tirelessly at every turn to put more money into parks and rec,? he said. ‘I think the information I provided tonight shows it’s more than well funded and I can’t vote to give up one employee just for programs that are nonessential.?
Petterson also had a hard time adding $95,000 to parks and rec.
‘I enjoy the programs and so does a lot of other people, but a lot of those are one day programs,? he said. ‘I don’t think this $95,000 is going to make them or break them.?
Clerk Shelagh VanderVeen said she is giving up more than other departments and was an ‘innocent lamb being led to the slaughter.?
‘I don’t want any part of this, it stinks and is not doing any of our citizens any service, none whatsoever,? she said referring to the supervisor’s budget. ‘Why don’t we put the money in the departments that need it, that actually perform? I’ve been looking for an exit strategy and I hope it’s not this one.?