Helena Township Board Special Meeting
June 25, 2026
8751 Helena Road, Alden, Michigan
Meeting Time: 7:00 PM
Meeting Minutes
Call to Order
The Helena Township Annual Budget Hearing for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 was called to order at 7:00 PM by Supervisor Peeples at Helena Township Hall, 8751 Helena Road, Alden, Michigan.
Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Roll Call
Present: Supervisor Clark Peeples, Clerk Oryana Leffew, Treasurer Catherine Rice, Trustee James Schilling, and Trustee Charles (Butch) Bartz.
Approval of Agenda
Motion by Schilling to approve the agenda, supported by Bartz. Motion carried.
Conflicts of Interest
None declared.
Public Comment
The first public comment period was held to the end of the meeting. Members of the public were invited to ask questions throughout the budget presentation.
Presentation of Budget — South Torch Lake Fire District
The Fire Chief presented the proposed modified fire district budget of $634,348, which, with banked interest and the EMS / first-responder contracts with Torch Lake and Milton Townships, totals approximately $676,148.
South Torch Lake Fire District — Capital and Building Items
Capital and building items include reconstruction of the failing retaining wall, reconstruction of the deck separating from the building, and a two-car storage garage. The department has lost basement storage space to the ambulance service.
South Torch Lake Fire District — Testing, Equipment, and Fuel
The Chief reviewed required annual testing, including SCBA flow testing, hydrostatic testing of the air/cascade tanks every seven years, which is due this year, and pump, ladder, hose, and compressor testing. Replacement of all tires on both trucks is required, totaling 12 tires at approximately $14,000, per the NFPA seven-year requirement. Fuel costs were reduced from approximately $14,000 to approximately $3,800 by purchasing through the county.
South Torch Lake Fire District — Storage Building
A new storage building near Aldridge, estimated at approximately $70,000, is being built for approximately $44,000 through donated lumber and labor. No separate action was taken on the fire district budget.
Presentation of Budget — Helena Township
The proposed FY2026-2027 township budget was presented at a total of $1,133,680, compared with the current FY2025-2026 budget of approximately $1,074,000. The proposed budget includes a 3% wage increase based on cost of living and the Consumer Price Index.
Helena Township Budget Trend
The Board reviewed the multi-year budget trend: FY2023-2024, $763,000; FY2024-2025, $983,000; FY2025-2026, approximately $1,074,000; and FY2026-2027, $1,133,680. A carryover of approximately $69,000 was noted.
Accounting and Chart of Accounts
The Clerk reported rebuilding the township’s books into a nine-digit chart of accounts following the State of Michigan uniform chart of accounts, reclassifying prior transactions, and migrating accounts payable/receivable and payroll to BS&A. Trustees sign off on every invoice and check at each meeting.
Public Comment and Discussion — Fire District
Members of the public raised questions and comments throughout the presentation. Audience questions to the Fire Chief included storage needs, the loss of basement space, tire replacement, and whether the trucks carry a spare. The trucks do not carry a spare.
Public Comment and Discussion — Accounting and Transparency
A resident asked about projected revenues for the coming year, estimated at approximately $1.3 million to $1.5 million; current cash on hand, reported by the Treasurer as $1,337,334; and whether the monthly check register and financials are published on the township website for residents. The Clerk explained that every invoice and check is recorded and signed off monthly and offered to share the new chart of accounts publicly for feedback.
Public Comment and Discussion — COVID / ARPA Funds
A resident asked how the federal COVID funds had been tracked and spent. The Board responded that the funds were carried in the general fund and applied to items including the BS&A accounting startup, signage, and building improvements. The Board stated that an accounting of the expenditures is available.
Public Comment and Discussion — Records and Data Security
A resident questioned why the township’s bank statements and certain financial records are kept at the Treasurer’s home, who performs the monthly bank reconciliation, and whether records kept on a home computer should be integrated into the township office under township IT protection. The Board stated that the Treasurer reconciles with the bank and the Clerk reconciles with the Treasurer. The Board acknowledged the concern, noted recent cyber-attacks on the township, and explained that the move to BS&A/cloud and a new office computer will bring the records back into the building.
Public Comment and Discussion — Parks and Recreation
Barry Snyder asked what is actually budgeted and spent on Parks and Recreation. The Board reported proposed park maintenance of $20,000 and park projects of $55,000. The prior year included approximately $75,000 in park projects and $10,000 in maintenance, covering mowing, trash pickup, janitorial, signage, and similar expenses. Mr. Snyder asked for an itemized breakdown, which the Clerk agreed to provide, and expressed frustration that Parks and Recreation is told funds are unavailable and that no new amenities, including parking, beach, pickleball, or resurfacing, were completed.
Public Comment and Discussion — Roads and Downtown Paving
The Board discussed approximately $200,000 currently in the roads account, an additional approximately $414,000 expected in December, and three priority projects: Crystal Springs Road, Chapman Road, and a two-inch overlay on Page Road, estimated in excess of $1,000,000. A Road Commission allocation of $16,606 and chip-and-seal work of approximately $75,000 anticipated in mid-July were also discussed. A member urged prioritizing repaving the downtown Alden corridor. Others noted that the county may repave downtown at no cost, anticipated in 2027, and that downtown curbs and sidewalks are county property. No action was taken on road priorities.
Public Comment and Discussion — Records Archiving
The office assistant reported that, while scanning and archiving township records, the resolutions for 2009, 2010, and 2011 and the entire 2011 board minutes appear to be missing. This underscored the need to retain secure copies at the office.
Resolution — Salary
A separate resolution to approve a 3% wage increase, based on cost of living and the Consumer Price Index, for the salaried positions was adopted by roll-call vote.
Approval of Budget
Motion by Schilling to adopt the July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 Helena Township budget of $1,133,680. The motion was supported and carried by roll-call vote: Leffew — yes; Rice — yes; Peeples — yes; Schilling — yes; Bartz — yes. Motion carried 5-0.
Deputy Clerk Compensation
The Board discussed moving the Deputy Clerk, Victoria Bruns, from salary, approximately $580 per month, to an hourly rate, with an expected schedule of roughly 10-15 hours per week tracked in QuickBooks. No action was taken. The matter will be brought back as a separate resolution.
Adjournment
Motion by Bartz to adjourn. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by Supervisor Peeples at approximately 8:45 PM.
Respectfully Submitted
Oryana Leffew, Helena Township Clerk