Brandon Twp.- The township board approved the 2016 budget by a 4-1 vote at their Dec. 7 meeting.

Supervisor Kathy Thurman, Treasurer Terri Darnall, and Trustees Bill DeWitt and Liz Waters voted yes. Trustee Jayson Rumball voted no. Clerk Candee Allen and Trustee Dana DePalma were absent with notice.

With amendments, the general appropriations act for fiscal year 2016 has matching revenues and expenditures of $2,595,517. The general fund balance, or carry forward, is $550,852.62, or 21 percent, considered healthy.

“We had to work hard on the budget and it’s very nice to have a good fund balance and not to worry about cutting back,” said Thurman. “It’s pretty much status quo. We made our cuts years ago when the economy tanked and we have been maintaining and doing a little bit of increasing with raises for the employees. We are in a position that we can afford to give a 2 percent raise.”

The board previously approved a 2 percent wage increase for all township employees, including firefighters and elected officials. Rumball said he voted no to the budget because he objects to a raise for elected officials.

The board also approved a 2-year contract and raise for the cable consultant, Greg Normand, who oversees the Ortonville Community Broadcast Station (OTV). The consultant will earn $31,212 each year of the contract.

Thurman said one of the large expenditures for the township next year will be the cost of holding three elections. The township budgeted $45,750 for elections in 2015, but has more than doubled that to $110,900 for 2016. The township may receive reimbursement, however.

Officials also approved at the meeting establishment of a capital improvement fund, in which they will place $75,000 for facility repairs/improvements including a generator, ADA compliant door, brick repairs, window replacement, HVAC replacement and parking lot resurfacing, all at the township offices.

The board also has some road improvements planned in the township, including adding gravel to Oakhill Road between Sashabaw and Perry Lake roads in conjunction with Independence Township. Funds are also being put aside to pay for a portion of the paving of Sashabaw Road between Sherwood and Granger roads.