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Harrison Township board approves fee increases, salary raises, new contracts and hires
Summary
At its Dec. 15 meeting the Board of Trustees approved administrative fee increases, an $8,000 monthly rent for the Police Mini Station with retroactive transfer, salary increases for elected officials, multiple contract actions and personnel postings.
The Harrison Township Board of Trustees used its Dec. 15 meeting to approve a package of administrative fee changes, transfers, personnel actions and contract decisions.
Treasurer Lawrence Tomenello presented proposed adjustments to administrative fees effective Jan. 1, 2026: Water & Sewer fund administrative fee increased from $125,000 to $137,500, Fire fund from $140,000 to $154,000, and Library from $18,000 to $19,800 (reflecting roughly 10% increases). The board also approved increasing rent for the Police Mini Station from $3,000 to $8,000 per month, and a one-time retroactive transfer of $144,000 to account for previous under-collection. Separately, the board approved a $100,000 transfer from the Opioid Settlement fund to the Police fund to cover training and education expenses in the 2026 contract with the Macomb County Sheriff's Office. Motion to approve the administration fee increases and transfers was moved by Treasurer Lawrence Tomenello and seconded by Trustee Liza Brown; the motion carried.
Compensation: under Policy 2.10 and using an Inflation Rate Multiplier of 2.7%, the board considered four resolutions to increase elected-official salaries effective Jan. 1, 2026. The resolutions raised each trustee's annual pay to $12,324 and set Supervisor, Clerk and Treasurer annual salaries at $97,565. An initial motion to adopt some resolutions failed for lack of support; Trustee Dean Olgiati then moved, seconded by Trustee David Bratto, to adopt each resolution. The final vote carried (AYES: Verkest, Tomenello, Bratto, Brown, Olgiati; NAYS: Batkins; EXCUSED: Wit). The salary adjustments reflect the 2.7% IRM recommended in the packet and cite MCL 41.95(3) for salary determination.
Other approvals and personnel moves: the board authorized posting, advertising and interviewing for a Water & Sewer worker after a resignation; approved a $1.00 hourly increase for three part-time trades inspectors (electrical, mechanical, plumbing) effective Jan. 1, 2026; and appointed Teri Salgot as acting secretary for the meeting due to the clerk’s absence.
Why it matters: the fee and transfer decisions shift internal funding flows (including uses of opioid settlement funds) and increase recurring revenue from rent for a township-owned police facility; salary changes set compensation for elected officials for 2026.
Votes at a glance (selected): - Approve administration fee increases and transfers (Water & Sewer: $137,500; Fire: $154,000; Library: $19,800; $144,000 retroactive transfer; $100,000 from Opioid Settlement): Motion by Lawrence Tomenello; second Liza Brown; MOTION CARRIED. - Adopt salary resolutions (2.7% increase): Motion by Dean Olgiati; second David Bratto; RESULT: Adopted (AYES: Verkest, Tomenello, Bratto, Brown, Olgiati; NAYS: Batkins). - Opt out of PA 152 for 2026: Motion by Lawrence Tomenello; second David Bratto; MOTION CARRIED. - Post, advertise and interview for Water & Sewer worker: Motion by Brian Batkins; second Liza Brown; MOTION CARRIED. - Increase part-time trades inspectors by $1.00/hr: Motion by Brian Batkins; second Liza Brown; MOTION CARRIED.
The board’s approvals take effect as noted (many effective Jan. 1, 2026) and will be implemented by township administration and relevant departments.
