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Hillman council adopts 2025–26 budget, sets millage at 10.5 mills and approves staff raises
Summary
The Village of Hillman Council unanimously adopted its 2025–26 budget, set the millage at 10.5 mills, approved interfund transfers and new park fees, and authorized a modest pay increase for full‑time employees. The meeting also approved a $30,000 state reimbursement grant MOU and the village manager's employment contract.
The Council for the Village of Hillman on March 18 adopted the village2025budget, set the millage at 10.5 mills and approved a series of budget transfers and operational rates. President Dave Hornbacher presided over the 6 p.m. meeting at the Hillman Community Center.
Village Manager David J. Post read the proposed levy and mileage rate during a public hearing, saying the proposal was "to be set at 10.5 and mileage to be paid at 70 cents per mile." After the hearing closed, Trustee Steve Orlandi moved to set the millage at 10.5 mills and mileage at $0.70 per mile; Trustee Tom Bouchey supported the motion and the Council approved it unanimously. Hornbacher then moved to adopt the budget figures for the fiscal year and the motion carried.
The adopted budget lists total revenues of $1,377,398 and total expenditures of $1,368,985 across funds that include the General Fund ($530,935/$528,805), Major Streets, Local Streets, Water and Sewer, Airport, and other funds. The Council approved interfund transfers including $5,000 from the General Fund to the Airport for crack sealing; transfers to two general obligation bond funds (approximately $32,559 and $31,970); $22,500 from Major Streets to Local Streets; and $1,147 from the General Fund to the HELP fund to support park Wi‑Fi.
Council members also adopted an Emerick Park fee schedule for 2025–26, which sets tent spaces at $15 per night, sites with water and electricity at $25 per night ($500 monthly), a group of 12 sites at $30 per night ($550 monthly), family camping at $75 per night or $450 per week, a six‑month block fee at $3,000, pavilion reservations at $75 and a sewage dump fee of $5.00.
On personnel matters, the Council approved a $0.25 per hour raise for full‑time employees (including the clerk‑treasurer), adjusted one employee's rate to $17.00 per hour, and authorized compensation for the park manager totaling $6,000 plus $13.00 per hour. The Council also adopted an updated Sick Time Policy after staff review.
The meeting included approval of a Memo of Understanding with the Michigan Department of Treasury for a $30,000 reimbursement grant intended to support an economic recovery plan related to the local energy plant closure; Trustee Orlandi moved for President Hornbacher to sign the MOU, and the motion carried unanimously.
The Council also adopted Resolution 2025‑03, approving the Village Manager employment contract for David J. Post effective April 1, 2025. The contract establishes duties, a process for annual salary review, insurance and benefit provisions, four weeks of annual vacation, expense reimbursement rules (including a $2,000 yearly expense account) and a possible two‑year term through March 31, 2027.
The meeting closed with a staff update on local projects—estimates for Maple Street and Veterans Memorial Highway repairs, plans to begin test wells in April, tree removal estimates, and Emerick Park reservations already holding roughly $10,000 in reservations for the summer season. Trustee Tom Bouchey moved to adjourn at 6:50 p.m.; the motion passed.
