Pentwater council approves 2023–24 audit, adopts MERS 457 plan and authorizes capital bonds

The Pentwater Village Council unanimously approved a package of financial actions at its Oct. 21 meeting.

The council voted 7–0 to accept the 2023–2024 audit as presented by Gabridge & Company after a motion from Trustee Jared Griffis and support from Trustee Dave Bluhm. The council also adopted the MERS Uniform Supplemental Retirement Program by Resolution No. 2024-10-27 and authorized signatory and service-credit purchase approvals under Resolution No. 2024-10-28; those motions were moved by Trustee Phil Frame and supported by Trustee Kathy O’Connor, and carried 7–0.

The council approved Resolution No. 2024-10-25 authorizing the 2024A Capital Improvement Limited Tax General Obligation Bonds on a motion by Don Palmer, supported by Phil Frame; roll call vote was 7–0.

The consent agenda earlier in the meeting recorded Village accounts payable of $1,083,760.74 and payroll of $99,853.36; township fire department accounts payable of $32,271.98 and payroll of $54,476.84 were also listed and approved as part of the consent agenda by motion of Jared Griffis, supported by Don Palmer (roll call 7–0). "Please review the audit and the assets and liabilities," public commenter Dean Gustafson urged during public comment.

Why it matters: the audit acceptance completes the village’s financial review for 2023–24; adoption of the MERS supplemental plan establishes a formal retirement benefit vehicle for eligible participants; and bond authorization provides the municipality the legal authority to issue limited-tax GO bonds for capital projects.

All votes on these financial items were unanimous; no roll-call dissent or abstentions were recorded.