East Troy board approves revised Booth Lake Memorial Park expense agreement

The Village of East Troy Board of Trustees voted to approve a revised agreement with the Town of East Troy and the Town of Troy to govern Booth Lake Memorial Park expenses, including an amendment authorizing minor future changes requested by the Town of East Troy.

Village President Johnson introduced the item and said attorneys had reviewed the document. Jerry Aronson, chairman of the Town of Troy, described the revision as intended to make the park’s budgeting more transparent and to limit the park from taking on new debt without municipal agreement. Joe, a member of the Booth Lake board, said the new agreement "gives us a schedule for the budget" and noted the park’s annual budgeting tiers and continuing building needs.

Trustees asked about how costs are split. Trustees noted the operating budget is apportioned 40/40/20 among the three municipalities but that some other expenses are divided one-third, one-third, one-third; speakers said the historical reasons for the different splits are unclear. The agreement continues the current insurance arrangement in which the Town of Troy obtains the policy and the other municipalities reimburse their shares; speakers characterized that structure as long-standing.

President Johnson moved to approve the revised agreement. He then offered a slight amendment authorizing the board to accept minor changes requested by the Town of East Troy; that amendment was seconded and approved. The board voted on the amended motion by voice and the motion carried.

The trustees and park representatives said they expect to request additional funds over the next few years for building repairs, and emphasized the agreement’s goal of clearer annual budgeting and intermunicipal communication.