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Crosby Township holds pre-budget planning session; trustees, residents list priorities from parks to public safety
Summary
Trustees and residents used a facilitated exercise to set strategic priorities for 2026 and a 10-year vision, proposing items including hiring an administrator, upgrading IT/phones, playground/pickleball projects, senior transportation, fire/EMS equipment and addressing audit-identified payroll tax liabilities.
After completing a formal resolution on certified revenue, Crosby Township held a facilitated pre-budget planning session in which trustees and community participants used a seven-template exercise (BHAG, core values, purpose, strategic priorities, 3-5 year goals, 1-year/quarter priorities, brand promise) to identify projects and operational needs for 2026 and beyond.
Speaker 3 framed the session around a 10-year BHAG (big, hairy, audacious goal) and led the group to develop priorities that would later be used to create the budget in December. Participants proposed preserving a rural character while permitting targeted light industrial or commercial growth to expand the tax base; others suggested protecting parks and opposing annexation by the City of Harrison.
Groups reported a range of proposed 2026 actions: hire and define responsibilities for a township administrator and expand the fiscal office; upgrade the township phone system and IT/security; improve the township website; fund sidewalks and handicapped-accessible connections to shelters; construct 1—2 pickleball courts and playground upgrades; and invest in maintenance equipment and street paving in areas such as New Baltimore.
Senior-program participants proposed pickleball courts, a senior transportation plan (own van vs. periodic chartered trips), a portable PA system for community performances, new marquee signs, and a community event to mark America's 250th celebration. One community speaker described potential costs for chartered buses (about $2,800 for a day) and noted trade-offs including upkeep and insurance for owning a vehicle.
Public safety and emergency services needs were raised by the fire/EMS presenter, who listed equipment requests including updated SCBA packs and a compressor/fill station, a new LifePak heart monitor for the ambulance, a gear extractor/dryer, vehicle upkeep and personnel pay considerations. The fire/EMS presenter also noted recent capital purchases (a new engine in 2023 and a paramedic unit arriving in spring).
Participants repeatedly flagged funding constraints: Speaker 3 emphasized that many ideas will require either grants, sponsors or new tax base growth and cautioned that the township must prioritize and look for alternative funding. Near the end of the session, Speaker 3 also announced an audit-letter finding that the township has "inadequate management controls" and inadequate tax-filing controls; he said paying back payroll taxes, penalties and interest is a top priority to avoid legal exposure and that internal controls need strengthening.
The trustees used a quick fist-of-five evaluation of the exercise; participants gave strong support and the facilitator said he will compile the ideas for trustees to prioritize before the December budget meeting.
Next steps: staff will key the prioritized "what list," explore grant and sponsorship options for projects, prepare specific budget line items, and present a prioritized spending proposal at the early-December budget session.
