Caro City Council approves property purchase, well‑drilling change orders and budget amendments

CARO CITY — The Caro City Council on June 15 approved a series of actions affecting land acquisition, water‑system work and city finances.

In the meeting’s most consequential vote, councilors unanimously accepted a purchase agreement with Michigan Housing Partnership LLC for parcel number 050-500-242-2000-00 on Van Geisen Road for $87,500 and authorized the City Manager to sign the agreement (motion 26‑M‑123). Councilor Heidi Parker made the motion and Councilor Doreen Oedy seconded it; the roll call vote was 7–0.

Councilors also approved change orders connected to the city’s well‑drilling work. The council agreed to Change Order #1 from Northern Well and Pump for $27,363.00 and Change Order #2 from WSP for $17,920.00 related to Well #10 drilling, authorized the City Manager to execute necessary documents and instructed the City Treasurer to adjust the FY2026–2027 budget to cover the increased costs (motion 26‑M‑124). Councilor Jill White moved the change‑order approval; Councilor Heidi Parker seconded. The combined additional cost is $45,283.00.

Votes at a glance:

- 26‑M‑123: Accept Purchase Agreement for parcel 050‑500‑242‑2000‑00 from Michigan Housing Partnership LLC for $87,500.00 — Approved (7–0). - 26‑M‑124: Approve Well #10 Change Order #1 (Northern Well and Pump) $27,363.00 and Change Order #2 (WSP) $17,920.00; adjust FY2026/2027 budget — Approved (7–0). - 26‑M‑125: Pay 2026 Tuscola County EDC allocation request $8,000.00 — Approved. - 26‑M‑126: Resolution 2026‑07 (Administrative Fee Schedules) — Postponed until schedule clarified. - 26‑M‑127: Resolution 2026‑08 (Participate in CLEMIS Authority Interlocal Agreement) — Approved (7–0). - 26‑M‑128: Resolution 2026‑09 (Establish Election Commission and inspector pay) — Approved (7–0). - 26‑M‑129: Amend Brush Policy to set Weeden Road dump hours 9 a.m.–1 p.m. on first and third Saturdays — Approved. - 26‑M‑130: Adopt final FY2025–2026 budget amendments — Approved. - 26‑M‑131: Transfer unspent FY2025–2026 funds for ongoing projects (Norman Street, Well #9 and #10, sidewalks) into FY2026–2027 budget — Approved. - 26‑M‑132: Move CD of $264,224.43 to Northstar Bank for 1 year at 3.80% — Approved. - 26‑M‑133 through 26‑M‑136: Enter and return from closed session under OMA; accept closed session minutes and instruct City Manager to act on disclosed items — Approved.

Councilors also voted to approve Resolution No. 2026‑08 to participate in the CLEMIS Authority Interlocal Agreement (motion 26‑M‑127) and adopted Resolution No. 2026‑09 establishing the City of Caro Election Commission, appointing Councilor Emily Campbell as the city official and Tammy Ries as the qualified elector and setting pay rates for election workers (motion 26‑M‑128). The election‑inspector pay schedule approved includes $17.00 per hour for inspectors, $20.00 per hour for precinct chairpersons and $50.00 for required training, as specified in the resolution.

On finance items, the council adopted final amendments to the FY2025–2026 budget (Resolution 2026‑10, motion 26‑M‑130) and approved transferring unspent project funds into FY2026–2027 to cover Norman Street work, Well #9 and #10 drilling and sidewalk projects (motion 26‑M‑131). Separately, council authorized moving a Certificate of Deposit in the amount of $264,224.43 to Northstar Bank for one year at an interest rate of 3.80% (motion 26‑M‑132).

Manager and staff updates included notice that sidewalk project inspections would be conducted that week and that paperwork was signed for a $1.5 million Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The clerk corrected the Public Accuracy Testing date to July 10. Chief Brian Newcomb provided information about a patrol vehicle lease included in the police report.

During public comment, residents raised code and public‑safety concerns: Bob Smith spoke about dog enforcement and mowing ordinances; Bob Catherwood raised speeding near the M‑81 and Van Geisen Road intersection and requested increased police presence in Williamsburg Subdivision; Kris Zachman asked that weeds and brush piles be included in an ordinance; and Mark Putnam urged the council to have the city attorney address potholes and patching on the access drive to Starbucks.

Toward the end of the meeting, council entered closed session under Section 8 of Michigan’s Open Meetings Act to consider personnel matters, then returned to open session at 9:13 p.m., accepted closed session minutes and instructed the City Manager to carry out the actions disclosed in closed session. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

What’s next: A special council meeting is scheduled for June 18, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. for follow‑up items; several ordinances forwarded by the Planning Commission will be considered at future meetings.