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Michiana council approves tractor purchase, consultant hire, parking trial and recommends pay increase for officers
Summary
At its March 14 meeting the Village of Michiana council approved a John Deere tractor purchase financed via a maturing CD and Water Bond funds, selected Orbis Environmental for a required historic‑resources study, approved several operational items including parking stickers and court hours, and recommended pay increases for two full‑time officers starting April 1, 2025.
The Village of Michiana council on March 14 approved a series of operational and capital actions, including the purchase of a replacement tractor, authorization to cash a maturing vehicle certificate of deposit to help pay for it, selection of a consultant for a National Historic Preservation study tied to a water grant, a one‑year trial to sell parking stickers to Grand Beach residents, and a recommendation to increase hourly pay for two full‑time police officers.
Council member Tim McCarthy moved to approve spending to replace the village’s nearly 30‑year‑old public‑works tractor; Mike Mumper seconded and the motion passed. The transcript records two vendor quotes (John Deere $68,789; Kubota $89,210) and the motion was recorded as approving a John Deere purchase for $68,787; Council agreed the trade‑in ($10,000) plus $20,640 from a vehicle reserve CD due at the end of May would be used and the remainder covered from Water Bond funds. The council took a separate roll call vote (4–0) to cash the CD at maturity for the vehicle purchase.
Also during new business the council approved a one‑year trial selling Grand Beach golf parking stickers for $300 for the 2025 season and set Tennis/Pickleball court hours at 9 a.m. to dusk with nightly gate locking by police and morning reopening by public works.
On the water‑project timeline, the council approved hiring Orbis Environmental Consulting for $2,105 to conduct a National Historic Preservation study required by the EPA as part of the village’s water grant process; two quotes were presented (Merjent $7,450; Orbis $2,105). Treasurer Tracey McCay’s report showed the Pokagon Fund balance at $47,661 and noted the vehicle CD’s May maturity.
The council also approved a resolution to co‑sponsor a federal grant proposal with Grand Beach for a Police Safety Building and approved a draft police survey to be distributed at a later date. During public comment a resident asked where the Safety Building would be sited; the council said about four acres on the frontage road had been donated to the village by a Grand Beach resident.
After a closed session the council returned and, on motion by Tim McCarthy seconded by Mike Mumper, recommended an hourly rate increase for the village’s two full‑time police officers effective April 1, 2025; a roll call vote was 4 ayes and 0 nays.
The council approved routine items earlier in the meeting, including the minutes and the treasurer and clerk reports. The meeting adjourned at 3:26 p.m. EST.
