WHITEHALL — The Whitehall Township Board unanimously approved the institution of a fee structure for the use of the township's leaf and brush station during its Monday, Oct. 26 regular meeting.
The fee structure will consist of the sale of punch cards offering 10 uses of the station for $25, or full-year passes for unlimited use for $75. Supervisor Dennis Kroll said information on the program will be distributed to township residents in a December newsletter.
Kroll said he and administrative assistant Tina Jackson looked over the use of the station in recent years and estimated that most who use the station will purchase two punch cards per year. The board believes the new fees will cover around 40% of the cost of operating the station.
The move was made because, Kroll said, the township cannot afford to continue "giving away" the service. He cited neighboring municipalities, such as Fruitland, Muskegon and Laketon townships and the City of Whitehall, who charge fees for similar services.
Trustee Chuck Schmitigal noted that he'd like to see something in place allowing users who do not use all 10 punches on their punch card in a year to carry them over to the following year, which the board agreed to consider as the program is rolled out.
The board reported that there's been a significant rise in the White Lake Ambulance Authority's required contribution to the Muskegon County Management system, which means the WLAA's participating municipalities in turn have to pay more. This is because a local hospital is no longer contributing, creating a budget shortfall.
Certified Public Accountant Sarah Kanitz of Lake Michigan CPA delivered a brief audit report for the township, noting that it received a clean audit. Kanitz said she is recommending the township contracts out the payment of its quarterly payroll taxes due to their complicated nature.
Kroll delivered what he joked was his "state of the township" speech at the midpoint of the board's four-year term, going over some of the things the board has done over the past two years, including a property sale to HarborLight Credit Union, a modernized employee manual, security and Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant improvements to the township hall, and the in-progress Hickory Place Planned Unit Development.
Kroll added that the Whitehall Township Comfort Inn was recently purchased by a company called Whitehall Hospitality Inc. in a deal that came together fairly quickly; Kroll said he was only contacted about it a couple of months ago. The Rodeway Inn, he said, is also in the process of changing hands, which he hopes will come with improvements as it's "been a terrible place."
The township's planning commission will also hear two requests over the next few months. The Hope Bible Chapel has expressed interest in purchasing the old NorthStar Cinemas and converting the building into a home base for its worship services - a call to Hope to confirm this interest was not returned - and the Whitehall Township Walmart is taking steps towards installing a gas station that would be between the store and the Econo Lodge next door.
