[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6124077,"mediaKeyId","2686410-16e75b009225abe3e86d263c9c11c7ff","parentId",2686410,"title","Votes at a glance: Grosse Ile board approves consent agenda, public-art application and two ZBA appointments","audioSeconds",600,"startMs",6180000,"endMs",6780000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2686410-16e75b009225abe3e86d263c9c11c7ff&start=6180&end=6780","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2686410-16e75b009225abe3e86d263c9c11c7ff/thumbnail_6180000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6124077/Michigan/Votes-at-a-glance-Grosse-Ile-board-approves-consent-agenda-public-art-application-and-two-ZBA-appointments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124077-cf8290bac08c46358b31690a61fe9382/orig.mp4?Expires=1771122852&Signature=nNcZ5gtKfheoErjzslQAAlSDTgqSszBz4xVoTYWmBOqZvrtzI17KSEA1DUmQP60EgEt0dJskjTAQvkYQHXxhmjKoNig~P3QQoRsyo9mOL~aZVPMuhaUAW~~N3Gy6OiKmsYuc062lZNXN6F20UTcZdfOmMFurs1vPY9BhzVtnAmcQr4Ivxfhmxcm5yJatA9uLdKBkZMGbExsD52YqMPUXqiaNMAL08zBCHnRr77yxCPbXLpuxThSSY3Tulj9QP0HUFenS1m8MhX9GhWro7FUnqgBQ4ccEIEGgjeTwy1RvgNuQTiJ1RoilOOyygKwgUeuT2fgNtpXv9BYqo5I9Qx3rLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","GrosseIleTownship","date","2025-03-10T00:00:00Z","article","The Grosse Ile Township Board approved its consent agenda and three action items after minimal discussion.

Key votes
- Consent agenda (24-097): Motion to approve by Trustee Bill; voice vote carried (majority Aye; one opposed recorded). The consent agenda included approval of prior minutes, the check register through March 7, reappointments to commissions/committees for 2025\u0000\u000026 2026 terms, and adoption of the 2025\u000026 2026 meeting schedule and the community development monthly report.

- Detroit Institute of Arts Partners in Public Art application: Board approved a resolution authorizing the township to submit an application and, if selected, to accept and site public art at 9537 Grow Road (a storage building in the Airport Commerce Park). The item was recommended by the Airport Commerce Park Commission; the board approved the resolution by voice vote.

- Zoning Board of Appeals appointments: The board unanimously approved Richard Hopper for a full-time ZBA position and Kyle Debussier as a ZBA alternate; both appointments were made after staff interviews and were approved by voice votes.

Nut graf: These votes comprised a mix of standard administrative approvals and two personnel appointments; none required roll-call tallies in the public record beyond voice voting and did not alter the township\u0000budgetary framework presented earlier in the meeting.

Ending: The board moved on to non-vote business after carrying these items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Township Board of Trustees - 10 Mar 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved several routine items and three action items with voice votes: the meeting consent agenda, an application to the Detroit Institute of Arts partners-in-public-art program, and two appointments to the Zoning Board of Appeals.","taxTitle","Grosse Ile, Wayne County, Michigan","taxId",55649,"location","Michigan","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6124082,"Residents ask Grosse Ile to sue Wayne County over detour tolls; board cites legal opinion advising against township suit",304,3434000,3738000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2686410-16e75b009225abe3e86d263c9c11c7ff&start=3434&end=3738","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2686410-16e75b009225abe3e86d263c9c11c7ff/thumbnail_3434000.jpg","/articles/6124082/Michigan/Residents-ask-Grosse-Ile-to-sue-Wayne-County-over-detour-tolls-board-cites-legal-opinion-advising-against-township-suit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124082-4f817dc6caab70bef88c2b009d031a02/orig.mp4?Expires=1771122852&Signature=oqY67zZNqpxn0HU2rcBVhsEt0o087c-E2Q1AHKRtiVgMVDzHhv2ot3~o-R2Vzaskjuq8gl~54tmQ3ANLP4ULFZrn47Rbzm7CpgAkABuGMf0wOGZaIsWcjUTVy7xpuSgQ5ZaDyFzdLMb9se9uXN1w~Ootx65jNZZl9O4i~mAbRAJ6eC2QvRnkX7L11VlU-va9Jw-yMHUiLlJB0D42iafVlJqfw5Sw6x-dOrm9aye4N1iWfICGaBhuxch4N750i1Hz2yW1VuZ2fpvVpknjsb7cQ-TiITLrSMmYztp1MVkwr8L3DxcVDaoHggJff~8Sdqe45HeSxt2myricMlCYoWt5Pw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two residents urged the township to pursue a court ruling to force free detours during county bridge work; the board said it had received written legal advice that makes a township-led lawsuit impractical.

Douglas Scott and Mary Bresnahan spoke during the public-comment portion of the hearing. Scott urged the board to file a declaratory-judgment action under Michigan statute MCL 247.292 to determine whether Wayne County is required to provide toll-free detours when the county closes its causeway and diverts traffic to the paid crossing. Scott said resident hardships during prior closures can be significant and called for township action rather than inaction.

Bresnahan likewise said repeated county closures have forced local drivers to use the toll bridge and that the community \"deserves better,\" asking the township to take the matter to court if necessary.

Nut graf: Board members acknowledged residents\u0000concerns but said they had relied on their municipal attorney\u0000\u0000for counsel. Supervisor Portiarelli read from the attorney's written advice, saying the attorney concluded the township likely does not have proper standing to bring the claim and that pursuing litigation would be costly and might fail. The supervisor said residents who wish to pursue a private legal action could do so, but the township would not proceed based on the attorney's guidance.

Supporting details and context
- Statute cited by residents: MCL 247.292 (detour rules). Residents urged a declaratory judgment to interpret the statute as it applies to Grosse Ile and Wayne County practice.
- Township position: The supervisor said the township attorney wrote that the township is \"not a proper plaintiff\" for a court challenge in this case and warned the board that litigation could be prolonged and expensive. The supervisor offered to place the matter on a future agenda for further discussion if trustees choose to do so.
- Local context: Commenters recalled a prior long-term county closure that had sent all island traffic over the toll bridge for about 18 months; they said the costs and hardship to residents during closures are real and recurring.

Board and community reaction
Trustees and members of the public acknowledged the legal and political trade-offs. One resident, Greg Carhams, reported that the Grosse Ile Taxpayers Association had retained outside counsel who reached a similar conclusion on the difficulty of prevailing and cautioned that suing Wayne County could damage the township\u0000\u0000relationship with the county at a time when the township will ask the county to invest in future bridge improvements.

Ending: The supervisor said the board would consider the issue if members brought a formal agenda item; for now, the legal advice in hand led the board not to sue on the township's behalf.","Multiple residents urged the township to seek a court ruling under MCL 247.292 to require free detours when county work forces traffic onto the toll bridge. The township said its attorney advised the township is not a proper plaintiff and that litigation would likely fail.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6124086,"Grosse Ile forecasts first-year budget and operations after planned toll-bridge purchase",47,3773000,3820000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2686410-16e75b009225abe3e86d263c9c11c7ff&start=3773&end=3820","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2686410-16e75b009225abe3e86d263c9c11c7ff/thumbnail_3773000.jpg","/articles/6124086/Michigan/Grosse-Ile-forecasts-first-year-budget-and-operations-after-planned-toll-bridge-purchase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124086-372f5ad44e664217b4b8ee0c88cdcc39/orig.mp4?Expires=1771122852&Signature=k03AIvcZeBuC0t8~1SeOA3kprfliZxmZgsEAOnuZQzYnwLA3WYzDnEQA3~GvcuSft7lPJSJ8z2~UitqwKGn6Eo-TGrIbAsulbIwaLByOKhPCK3eLTuydsY8Rv-x4Dv~l6aSsNov3do3yzCayTZmZRfxHZrPN1Wq6Zzlwtn8RdwwNbd5D0PxeeLk-q-lfrciJlBnlUythve27cDXr9oi08Wqihg-wLRjjxUCPxB3fvzb2ZeMy3ksUvQH9KYv7fA~oaI-HUC7g-O3cR21uOto-fXHMPILqOaspn7p2MYrtRReChb~6glx8YGpEautqC4e6TP57d1owlB5NxzkXEuQtiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Grosse Ile Township staff told the board they expect to close on the purchase of the Wayne County toll bridge on March 31 and presented a preliminary enterprise-fund budget and operational plan for the bridge's first year under township ownership.

Theresa McLaughlin said the township received bond proceeds of about $21.8 million on Feb. 13. Of that total, roughly $13.9 million will be used to buy the bridge at closing and about $7.5 million will be available for follow-on engineering and capital work the next year. Excluding the one-time use of those proceeds, staff estimated first-year (2526) operating revenue at about $6.0 million and operating expenses at about $3.5 million. The budget also reflects a 1.6745-mill property-tax levy in the range shown on ballot material for 2025; staff said property-tax exemption for the bridge will not apply until the 2026 tax year because the township did not own the bridge on Dec. 30, 2024.

The presentation listed near-term items staff will pursue: issuing RFPs for a staffing and operations-and-maintenance contractor, evaluating a two-month free-bridge closure for county work, and accounting for depreciation on the bridge (the township applied a 50-year useful life following state guidance). Derek, the township manager, said the bridge enterprise fund will receive its own budget line starting April 1 and that a number of one-time bond-proceeds flows in 2024 affect the appearance of 2025 numbers.

Nut graf: The township is moving quickly to set up an enterprise fund and procurement process for the bridge after bond funding and a scheduled closing; staff emphasized that many assumptions are provisional and that budget amendments will follow as RFP responses and operational plans materialize.

Supporting details and context
- Bond proceeds: About $21.8 million received Feb. 13; roughly $13.9 million slated for purchase, $7.5 million for subsequent-year work.
- Millage and taxes: Proposed bridge-related millage for 2025 listed at 1.6745 mills (first-year estimate within ballot-range minimum). The township said the bridge will remain subject to property taxes for 2025 because the township did not own it on Dec. 30, 2024.
- Operating assumptions: Staff estimated about $6.0 million in revenue and about $3.5 million in expenses for the first operating year after removing one-time bond flows. The fiscal-year projections will be refined with vendor proposals and staffing costs.
- Administration and customer accounts: Staff said existing bridge passes and account balances will be migrated; residents will be asked to re-enter account details and sign an authorization that allows the township to bill their cards (existing prepayments and tag balances will transfer). The township plans a kiosk at Township Hall to assist residents without internet access.

Board and public questions
Trustees asked how commercial rates, bridge passes and credit-card authorizations would be handled. Staff said the township has posted toll rates consistent with the previous operator and that an online module and a Township Hall kiosk will help residents transfer accounts. Derek cautioned that some technical work remains to make the card/authorization transfer seamless.

Ending: Staff said RFPs for operations and cell-tower leases (a separate procurement) are in process and that the board will see further budget amendments and contract recommendations as proposals arrive.","Township staff outlined a preliminary budget and operational plan for the toll bridge after bond proceeds were received and a March 31 closing was scheduled; staff cautioned figures are early estimates and RFPs for operations and staffing are pending.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6124089,"Grosse Ile presents 2025–26 budget with higher police costs, modest tax change",2029,320000,2349000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2686410-16e75b009225abe3e86d263c9c11c7ff&start=320&end=2349","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2686410-16e75b009225abe3e86d263c9c11c7ff/thumbnail_320000.jpg","/articles/6124089/Michigan/Grosse-Ile-presents-202526-budget-with-higher-police-costs-modest-tax-change","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124089-ab7b783ab3272b472eb973b323c0514d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771122852&Signature=Vs5~vM1HfjE1hIVWVEpfvbDjWT0yebhWL987qppIU1H4iiHbplNInpMpFx7zl-T~lTrkqq76s0T0tdT5DjQ-fKGpL11eMnrKd4dNm9D83h4pAqKLCBsz7LR4~6FAxhbRf8FIIOxYzNiQFU7eMvvdhOGjLXmrsYxm3Ew3cV6kk2CQtzQTHYifk9qOAEK~VC3qK4W0wIaHn3zFZD9wd1gFe4fmwF2NteNhJIqEm81m1s~0nDntu3PDiQVZ8l-VWvlvv-W~x8ZYQoaVhC~JlQZDhflybjA6MgJqvVHeLkKwWOvbrNNid2z15P4BX7tDGOhjXx7nQ~bJT3Z-6IpTw-DCtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grosse Ile Township Board on the evening of its public hearing heard a detailed presentation of the township\u0000\u0000proposed 2025\u000026 2026 budget, which assumes a 3.1% rise in taxable value and carries an estimated total levy of about 14.45 mills for 2025.

The presentation, delivered by Theresa McLaughlin, summarized assumptions and key changes: an estimated taxable value rising from about $776.5 million to $800 million; a roll-forward of 2024 millages while the county determines any millage reduction factor; removal of a long-standing 3-mill SSES debt levy; no new millage for a judgment bond because collections held sufficient reserves; a 0.95-mill wastewater-treatment-plant levy; and a 1.6745-mill levy tied to the toll-bridge purchase. McLaughlin said staff used a $800 million taxable-value assumption so they could finalize numbers before the county\u0000\u0000released its millage reduction factor in May.

Township staff emphasized that the general fund remains balanced on paper but flagged rising personnel and retirement costs. McLaughlin said the police department budget is projected to increase by about $516,000 for 2025, about $429,000 of that in salary and benefit costs. That projected increase leaves an estimated excess police expenditure of roughly $285,000 for the year; staff plan to cover it with savings elsewhere in the general fund and from designated fund balances. Overall general-fund revenues are projected to rise about $321,000, or 4.27% from the prior year, chiefly from property tax and state revenue-sharing lines.

Nut graf: The budget presentation framed the township\u0000\u0000fiscal plan as balanced for 2025 but underscored structural pressure from legacy costs (pensions and retiree benefits) and from an enlarged police budget. Board members and the public pressed staff for follow-up analysis and next steps.

Supporting details and context
- Millage and taxes: 2024 total levy was 12.83 mills. Staff estimated total 2025 mills at about 14.45 (including the wastewater and toll-bridge levies). One mill at the $800 million taxable-value assumption represents about $800,000 in revenue.
- Pension and retiree costs: The township reported its MERS (pension) funding ratio at about 61% (most recent actuarial). The 2025 employer contribution was shown at about $2.075 million; projections shown to the board put contributions rising above $3 million in the early 2030s under current assumptions. McLaughlin noted the MERS actuarial uses a long-term funding path that targets full funding around 2040 under the plan shown.
- Health insurance: 2025 premium estimates rose about 15.3% overall, driven by a near-40% jump in prescription costs; the township is subject to the state PA 152 hard-cap rules, which limit the township share of premium growth.
- Fund balance and one-time items: The general fund shows an estimated $200,000 one-time increase in 2025 revenue from the potential sale of a property the township recently acquired. Staff also closed an escrow fund at March 30, 2024, and reassigned portions of that balance (police donations, animal-shelter gifts and severance/sick-pay reserves) into designated fund-balance accounts.
- Other funds: The budget as presented includes 13 special-revenue funds, one debt fund and three enterprise funds (airport and Department of Public Services; toll-bridge enterprise fund will begin April 1, 2025). The township budgeted to continue using prior-year resources for some capital projects (bridge staining, bike-path markings), and it reduced some budgeted professional services because due-diligence costs for the toll-bridge purchase are complete.

Board discussion and next steps
Trustees pressed staff about whether the police shortfall is a recurring problem. Several trustees said the projected 2025 gap may reappear; staff and the police commission said they are updating a five-year plan and will bring the issue to upcoming study sessions. The board set aside further review: managers and commissioners will continue the budget work and report back at the scheduled study-session meetings.

Ending: The hearing continued to public comment and later returned to regular board business. Staff said the township will publish the final numbers and that the board expects to consider an amended budget at an upcoming meeting once county-certified taxable values and any millage reduction factor are available.","Township staff opened a public hearing on the proposed 2025–26 budget that rolls forward 2024 millages, adds a wastewater plant levy and a first-year toll-bridge levy, and highlights growing pension and police staffing costs that will require closer review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Grosse Ile board approves consent agenda, public-art application and two ZBA appointments

Residents ask Grosse Ile to sue Wayne County over detour tolls; board cites legal opinion advising against township suit

Grosse Ile forecasts first-year budget and operations after planned toll-bridge purchase

Grosse Ile presents 2025–26 budget with higher police costs, modest tax change