Clawson council adopts FY‑26 budget, confirms $30,000 ARPA parks grant and OKs paving appropriation

Clawson Town Council members moved to amend the FY‑25 budget and adopt the FY‑26 budget, confirmed receipt of a $30,000 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation directed to parks, and authorized town funds for paving work in front of the public shop.

Town staff told the council the budget revision added $147,500 drawn from Class C road funds and that $20,000 remained in capital outlay for parks in the FY‑26 plan. “We did add $147,500 to, we pulled the money from your class c road funds, and I put it down in the line items of class c road expenses,” the town staff member reported during the public‑hearing portion of the session. The council later confirmed it had a $30,000 county check designated for parks and recreation and said it would proceed with the projects discussed.

Why it matters: the actions set spending priorities for the coming year, allocate a confirmed ARPA grant to local recreation work and authorized near‑term maintenance that town officials said is needed for park safety and for a paved driveway at the town shop.

Details, discussion and decisions

Budget and ARPA funds. During the public‑hearing portion of the meeting, a town staff member summarized changes to the draft budgets and the source of the added funds. Council members discussed where to place the ARPA money in accounting lines (parks, recreation or “capital outlay”) and noted the ARPA disbursement will be receipt‑driven in many cases. Treasurer Kaye reported an insurance quote showing higher premiums and said she had budgeted a modest increase to allow a cushion in that line.

The council was told the town had received a county check marked for parks. At one point in the meeting the treasurer and other staff examined a deposit envelope and confirmed, “Never mind. It is for 30,000.” Council members said they would proceed with the projects that had been discussed once the deposit was processed.

Playground surfacing and equipment. Council members spent substantial time comparing rubberized safety surfacing and wood chips for the playground. Vendors’ written estimates cited in the meeting included roughly $32,800 for the rubber surfacing and $11,240 for 6,800 square feet of wood chips installed at a 12‑inch depth. Council members noted the industry requirement is typically 6 inches of coverage and asked staff to request a quote for 6‑inch depth to reduce cost. One council member said a local quote for a dump‑truck load of wood chips was about $4,000.

After discussion the council agreed to proceed with wood chips rather than the more expensive poured rubber product, and directed staff to get revised quotes (including a two‑truck estimate) and to schedule installation. The council also discussed other park improvements — shade structures or umbrellas, a picnic table, and possible playground or ballfield enhancements — and asked staff to gather cost options.

Paving at the town shop. Councilors discussed a paving contractor’s finding that the subgrade in front of the shop was wet and unstable. The contractor recommended partial concrete work to regrade the curve and direct water toward the town’s drain, with asphalt possibly added later if conditions dry. A council member moved to appropriate funds for the paving job; the council authorized the work and asked staff to obtain final pricing for the additional concrete and associated items not in the original quote.

Other actions and finance items. The council authorized purchase procedures for a zero‑turn mower (staff reported the town had an outstanding vendor quote), approved payment of routine bills, and approved the town’s tax rate with no change from the prior year. Treasurer Kaye said she would post the FY‑26 insurance and budget items after finalizing the fiscal revisions and deposits.

Who said what (selected quotes)

“We did add $147,500 to, we pulled the money from your class c road funds, and I put it down in the line items of class c road expenses.” — Julie Stone, town staff member, during the budget public hearing.

“Never mind. It is for 30,000.” — Council/treasurer discussion while examining the deposit envelope marked for parks (staff identified the amount during the meeting).

“We could do 2 truckloads. That would give us a little bit more.” — Council discussion about wood chips vs. rubber surfacing and how many truckloads to order.

What the council decided next

- Staff was directed to request revised vendor quotes for playground wood chips at 6‑inch depth and to obtain a two‑truck price. - Town staff was authorized to appropriate funds and proceed with repair and concrete work in front of the town shop, and to return final invoices for formal posting. - The council approved the FY‑25 revision and adopted the FY‑26 budget for posting, and approved the town’s tax rate (no change). The council confirmed the $30,000 parks deposit and directed staff to proceed with the priorities discussed.

Ending note

Council members said staff will follow up with exact vendor quotes and invoice postings; the treasurer will post final figures after the bank posts the deposit and the town receives outstanding invoices.