COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

Supervisor Beckwith called the Special Meeting of Columbia Township Board to order at 7:00 p.m. Present Beckwith, Speicher, May, Harrington and Landers. Forty-five residents were present.

Beckwith opened with a brief discussion of the purpose of the public hearing, then turned the meeting over to May to explain the changes proposed to the 1999/2000 budget.

May read resolution 9926 and explained the reasons for each change to the current budget.

John Verdonk: Why did we leave the BBACG. Beckwith and Speicher briefly explained the poor response times and unwillingness of the BBACG fire board to make any improvements to Columbia Township’s fire protection. Examples of reduction in number of volunteers, equipment and response time.

Joel Lemmer: Do you have to increase the taxes to 3.9 mils? Have you looked at making a reduction to reduce the millage rate to a lower number? Speicher stated he spent most of Saturday looking at what could be cut from the fire budget and there was very little margin. When looking at the response time goal of less than seven minutes, it is obvious that Columbia Township needs another fire truck, capable of pumping 1250 gpm and carrying 2000 gallons of water. We have looked for a used truck and there are none available. Columbia is different than Bangor or Bloomingdale as Columbia does not have a city or major village with water hydrants or available water sources. The fire truck has to carry a large amount of water as Columbia Township is 36 square miles and response time, volunteers, and equipment are equally important.

Joel Lemmer: This is too much of an increase for the lower income residents. Speicher informed public that low-income households are allowed property tax credits if their property taxes are higher than 3.5% of their household income.

Andy Potts: I know where you can cut money. Speicher, you are going to say in the fire chief’s salary. Potts: yes, it is criminal what you pay the fire chief. Speicher: The fire chief is responsible to build a fire department for Columbia Township. We cannot even get volunteers to complete the ball field. If we cannot get volunteers then we have to contract or hire personnel. A year ago we had two fire fighters via the BBACG. Today, Columbia has five (5) State certified fire fighters and two individuals that will be attending fire fighter training. The Township has no option but to hire a fire chief as no one is stepping forward and volunteering to do anything, not even fix the ball field for their children to use. There is no alternative to meet the goals of the fire department.

Gentleman in back row: Is it correct we had four pieces of equipment, which we gave, to the BBACG for one dollar in 1984? Beckwith: yes.

Harold Johnson: At the last hearing Speicher told us that we could do a referendum after this meeting. Speicher: that is not true, I stated too see me after the meeting and I would look up what has to be done to do a referendum. Harrington stated that he thought you would have seven days after board approval. After the meeting I (Speicher) looked up the section of the law and informed (called) the gentleman who had the question with the correct answer.

Harold Johnson: Did any township board member check with their attorney on how to do a referendum. Speicher: No, I pulled the law from the internet and upon reading the law, I understand it would take the owners of 10% of the land in the Township to file a petition prior to the first hearing. To verify my conclusion I called the Michigan Township Association attorney (free service to Township members), he confirmed it would take owners of 10% of the land in the township (3.6 square miles) to petition the Township Board on or before the first public hearing.

Larry Burgett: Has any board member talked to Bangor (BBACG). All surrounding municipalities are hot and do not want to deal with the current Board members of Columbia Township. Beckwith: South Haven wants 5 to 6.5 mils to cover Columbia. To split the Township between Lee, Bloomingdale and Bangor would be 3.15 mils as BBACG still wanted their 1.9 mils collected for the full district even though Bloomingdale would cover the Eastern half of the township for 1.25 mils. It only made sense to develop a Columbia Township Fire Department. Why would you not want to improve our protection? (No answer from Burgett) Speicher: Do you realize, Columbia Township spent $375,000 in restricted funds for fire equipment at the BBACG, and when Columbia withdrew from the BBACG, Columbia got one fire truck worth $210,000 brand new. Columbia lost $165,000 in equipment in which Columbia would have if the money were kept for Columbia fire service instead sending it to the BBACG. BBACG has never been interested in making fire protection improvements for Columbia, only collecting Columbia Township’s money. I (Speicher) personally asked the BBACG fireboard to provide better fire protection service to Columbia Township. The BBACG board chairperson stated they could not afford it, Speicher asked how much more millage would Columbia have to pay. The BBACG board never provided an answers except for in the newspaper. The chairperson claimed she was being harassed by Columbia Township.

Harold Johnson: You guys (referring to Township Board) have a problem and are causing problems with the neighboring municipalities. You have filed lawsuits and caused everyone to spend money unwisely on attorneys. Beckwith disagreed and explained the lawsuit was for Superintending Control to correct errors being made by the fireboard with respect to misappropriation of public funds. The township has paid the most money into the BBACG and has gotten the least benefit. Then when the township withdrew from the B.B.A.C.G., the fireboard gave no consideration to the original conveyance of building and equipment, which Columbia Township brought into the agreement. Columbia Township, also contributed an ambulance, pumper/tanker, tanker, grass unit, fifteen volunteers, misc items (hose, ladders, tables and chairs) to the B.B.A.C.G.

Marie Speicher: We should be talking about rescue services and fire protection. The Township Board should not consider any of these naysayers, who are trying to undermine the success of a Columbia Township fire department. The Township Board should do what is right to improve fire protection/rescue in our community and surrounding neighborhood. Don’t cut cost as success is doing it right the first time. Everyone in this room needs to think about safety for your family and well being of your neighbors. Your priorities should be your family, friends and neighbors. This is not about saving a burning house but the people of this community. One person’s life is worth more than the cost (tax levy) being asked of any person in this room.

Without additional comments Beckwith adjourned the public hearing at 7:55 p.m.

After the meeting, Speicher explained to those who questioned the State of Michigan Tax system. Speicher stated homestead property owners with low income could receive property tax credits. State law restricts the amount of property taxes based on household income. The credit is allowed when your property tax is more than 3.5% of your total household income. The credit is calculated by taking "property taxes paid" minus "3.5% of your household income" times 60%. Low-income property owner will not be greatly effected by fire protection millage.