Stockbridge council approves bills, grants, hires, budget amendments and police mutual-assistance agreement

The Village of Stockbridge council on June 19, 2025 approved a broad set of measures spanning finance, personnel, grants and intergovernmental cooperation.

Council approved payment of bills totaling $152,379.26. The council also voted to add delinquent water bills to the consumer tax roll as a special assessment. To address retro pay obligations in the police department, the council approved a temporary hire, Ezekiel Allen. The council reapproved a TMF bidding resolution and adopted an ordinance (Ordinance 2025-06-19.000) making text amendments to the village municipal code as recorded in the minutes.

On grants and funding the council accepted a $1,000 5 Healthy Towns grant to support parks and recreation, approved a Rural Readiness Grant, and accepted a $20,000 MCOLES Safety Grant for the police department. Personnel and administrative actions included appointing Amy Good as the Downtown Development Authority vice chair/director, adding new Treasurer Robyn Hanson as a signer on the Choice One Bank village checking account, and approving $1-per-hour merit raises for Tina Parks and Christopher Smith.

The council approved a $3,500 park camera change order, accepted an $8,000 Clemens floor quote for vinyl flooring (one member voted nay on that item), and adopted fiscal year 2025/26 budget amendments. The council also accepted the Ingham County mutual police assistance agreement with Stockbridge Township.

All motions recorded in the minutes passed except where noted; votes were recorded by roll call in each instance. No public comments were recorded during either public comment period at the meeting.

Votes at a glance: - Payment of bills: Motion to pay $152,379.26; roll call recorded ayes from Cattell, Morehouse, Fairbotham, Good, Powers-Taylor, Howlett; outcome: passed (SEG 016). - Special assessment: Motion to add delinquent water bills to the consumer tax roll; mover Cattell, supporter Howlett; roll call all ayes; outcome: passed (SEG 027–028). - Retro pay temporary hire: Motion to approve temporary hire Ezekiel Allen for retro pay; mover Howlett, supporter Cattell; roll call unanimous; outcome: passed (SEG 030–031). - TMF Resolution 2025-06-19.001: Reapproval motion by Howlett supported by Cattell; roll call all ayes; outcome: passed (SEG 032–033). - Ordinance 2025-06-19.000: Adoption of text amendments to municipal code; mover Howlett, supporter Cattell; roll call all ayes; outcome: adopted (SEG 034–036). - Resolution 2025-06-19.002: Tabled; no recorded vote (SEG 037). - 5 Healthy Towns Grant ($1,000): Motion to support parks with grant; mover Howlett, supporter Cattell; roll call all ayes; outcome: passed (SEG 038–044). - Rural Readiness Grant: Motion by Cattell supported by Fairbotham; roll call all ayes; outcome: passed (SEG 045–046). - MCOLES Safety Grant ($20,000): Motion by Fairbotham supported by Cattell; roll call all ayes; outcome: passed (SEG 047–048). - DDA appointment (Amy Good): Motion by Ogden supported by Cattell; roll call all ayes; outcome: passed (SEG 049–051). - Merit raises (Tina Parks, Christopher Smith): Motion by Cattell supported by Howlett; roll call all ayes; outcome: passed (SEG 052–054). - Park camera change order ($3,500): Motion by Howlett supported by Cattell; roll call all ayes; outcome: passed (SEG 060–061). - Employee handbook: Tabled; no recorded action (SEG 062). - Add Treasurer (Robyn Hanson) to bank account: Motion by Howlett supported by Cattell; roll call all ayes; outcome: passed (SEG 063–065). - Clemens floor quote ($8,000): Motion by Powers-Taylor supported by Fairbotham; roll call recorded one nay (Morehouse) but motion passed (SEG 066–067). - Budget amendments (FY 2025/26): Motion by Cattell supported by Howlett; roll call all ayes; outcome: passed (SEG 068–069). - Police mutual-assistance agreement: Motion by Howlett supported by Fairbotham to accept Ingham County mutual agreement with Stockbridge Township; outcome: passed (SEG 075–076).

President Ogden presided over the meeting. The council adjourned at 9:20 P.M.; the minutes record no public comment on these items.