Three Oaks Village Council adopts 2023–24 amendments and approves 2024–25 budget

The Three Oaks Village Council unanimously approved amendments to the village's 2023–24 budget and adopted the 2024–25 budget at a Sept. 26 special meeting and public hearing.

Village President Smith called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. and the council opened a public hearing on the two budget items; no members of the public offered comment. After a brief discussion of correspondence from the state auditor, the council voted to adopt the budget amendments and then the new fiscal-year budget.

Why it matters: The budget vote finalizes spending and revenue allocations for the coming year and closes out adjustments from the previous fiscal year. Council approval means the village manager and staff can move forward with implementation and bookkeeping under the adopted figures.

Council business: Faulkner told the council he had received a letter from Derek Hall, an auditor with the Michigan Department of Treasury, noting that Hall had responded to an email from Councilmember Lois Jones about budget reporting. Jones said Hall's reply was long and difficult to follow, and that one question she had raised was why the fund balance must "match" at year-end when there is revenue or a loss. "He wrote me back a 7 paragraph'it was not easy to understand," Jones said. "But he explained it is mostly BS&A and the way things get coded, and it's just the way it has to go and I say, 'ok.'"

President Smith urged that council members funnel questions to the village manager rather than contacting outside agencies directly. "If you are asking for information and you are not getting it from Dan, then you need to come to this council so we can all work together to work on the answers," Smith said. "We do not manage the Village. This is what he is paid for. If he is not providing us information when we ask, then we as a team need to come together and ask for that information." Smith also cautioned that copying all council members on outside correspondence could risk violating the Open Meetings Act.

Budget actions: Councilmember Lois Jones moved to approve the 2023–24 budget amendments; Councilmember Niemzyk supported the motion and it carried. Jones asked whether delinquent RTS fees would be cleared; Faulkner said he and Kim would address those accounts. Later, the council approved the 2024–25 budget on a motion by Councilmember Thomas, supported by Jones. Both votes were unanimous: Ayes'Niemzyk, Kramer, Thomas, Jones, Wojtczak and Smith; Absent'Hinman; no nays or abstentions were recorded.

What's next: The meeting adjourned at 6:29 p.m. The council scheduled its next regular meeting for Oct. 9, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. Minutes were submitted by Village Clerk Kim Johnson.