Clawson council adopts FY2026 budget, confirms $30,000 parks allocation and approves paving payment

At its regular meeting, the Clawson Town Council approved a revision to the FY2025 budget and adopted the FY2026 budget, confirming immediate spending priorities for parks and public works.

The council voted to amend the current-year budget to reflect a $147,500 reallocation into Class C road expense line items and to adopt the FY2026 spending plan so the documents could be posted. Speaker 1, who presented the budget changes, said the revision also includes funds to complete a planned zero‑turn lawnmower purchase and left a $20,000 capital outlay line for parks in the FY2026 budget. Speaker 2 confirmed that the town had received a county-designated parks check totaling $30,000: “So we have $30,000,” Speaker 2 said during the meeting.

Why it matters: the approved revisions and the FY2026 adoption free staff to move ahead on contracted and maintenance work without another public hearing unless ARPA‑designated expenditures must be routed through the town’s accounts; in that case staff said they would return with a budget amendment and a hearing. The council directed staff to deposit the received funds and circulate exact deposit details to members.

Key actions and votes: the council passed a motion to amend FY2025 and adopt FY2026 by voice vote after a motion from Speaker 1 and a second. Members also made a motion and second to appropriate funds to cover paving work in front of the town shop after staff reported the contractor encountered a soft base and removed an old curb to restore drainage; the motion to authorize payment was carried by voice. The meeting recorded routine motions to pay bills and to approve the tax rate (no change) by voice vote; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript.

Parks and capital priorities: members discussed using ARPA‑designated or county parks funds for recreation projects. The group compared vendor quotes for rubberized playground surfacing (approximately $32,800 in one vendor quote) against lower-cost wood‑chip options. The council coalesced around installing wood chips to meet the six‑inch safety requirement, asking staff to get a revised vendor quote for the reduced depth and to proceed with an order sized to the site. Speakers discussed logistics (truckloads, cubic‑yard conversions) and asked staff to prioritize the playground surfacing and a bathroom floor repair estimated at under $500, with larger playground equipment or shade structures to follow if budget allows.

Insurance and financial monitoring: the treasurer reported routine bills and an incoming insurance renewal that modestly increased premiums in the example cited; the treasurer said the general fund will need close monitoring over the next six months because of higher-than-usual expenditures in recent months.

Next steps: staff will deposit and publish the exact ARPA/county parks deposit, obtain updated quotes for wood chips at a 6‑inch depth, complete the mower purchase before the end of the month, and process the paving payment for the shop area. The council adjourned after completing routine business.