MONTAGUE — The Montague Township Board approved its 2026-27 budget, totaling $391,952, at its June 9 regular meeting following a public hearing.
Roads and grounds were two of the significant line items discussed, in expectation of much-needed projects and repairwork for the future.
Board members did not receive raises in the new budget, but the board was encouraged by Clerk Drew Roesler to consider it for next year so as to align with other local townships.
Roesler reasoned that “there is an interest… in not falling far behind, because if [board members] ever leave and we need a replacement, we have to have some kind of wages that supports the position.”
The deputy clerk and deputy treasurer salaries will slightly increase in the new budget. After discussion on those items, the board made amendments to the budget to reflect the requested increases for the treasury department, roads, parks, township hall and grounds.
Also received and approved was the current year’s senior millage plan, detailing where senior funds had been allocated. Items included railings for township buildings, signage, contributions towards the White Lake Senior Center, and the installation of a defibrillator for the township hall, which was placed at the close of the meeting.
Planning commission chair Bob Muzio was in attendance to debrief the public hearing held the day prior regarding the commission's proposed data center ordinance. The meeting was attended by an audience of one (one more than the audience present for the annual budget hearing). The ordinance will be reviewed after 30 days by the Muskegon County Board of Commissioners before moving back to the township board for final approval. The language of the ordinance has not changed since the last time the township board reviewed the draft.
Following a presentation from Jim DeBoer of the White Lake Association on upgrades to White Lake’s smart buoy, the township agreed to contribute $1,000 towards the costs of buoy launch, upkeep, and hosting for the online portal. Roesler spoke of his experience using the smart buoy website for checking water temperatures on a previous weekend and found the information accessible and useful.
The board also discussed RFQs received from Muskegon Fence Company for work at the soccer complex - $6,151.91 for basic, necessary repairs and $17,298.40 for the work of total replacement. Trustees discussed possibly holding off on repairs until a grant is secured that would fund more long-lasting repairs, while also acknowledging the consistent stream of property and equipment either breaking or being vandalized. It was agreed that the township will table the item, seek out bids beyond Muskegon County, and return to Muskegon Fence Company for more options and pricing details. However, the township did approve a quote for $499.33 to replace the soccer complex sign.
