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Township manager outlines IT vendor switch, payroll plans and potential $977,000 Sheetz road contribution toward intersection project
Summary
Manager Mike Luce reported the finance clerk’s resignation, plans to outsource payroll, a proposed IT vendor change from VC3 to Black Rock with projected savings, workstation upgrade quotes, and a Sheetz estimate of about $977,000 toward M-59/US-23 intersection improvements to support a TIP grant application.
Township Manager Mike Luce told trustees on June 16 that several administrative and capital items are under review, including a planned change of IT provider, outsourcing payroll, workstation upgrades and a possible multi-source funding approach for a road project at M-59 and US-23.
Lucean update: Luce said the township’s finance clerk resigned and staff are rewriting the job description. In the short term, utility-billing duties will move to Public Works, payroll would be outsourced, and the finance office will seek temporary accounting support while a replacement is hired.
IT vendor and costs: Luce reported Hartland is paying VC3 $4,509 per month and that the total cost since onboarding included an initial $1,802 set-up for a total expense cited as $55,910. He said the township plans to move to Black Rock, which quoted a $3,500 onboarding fee and $3,000 per month, and that staff estimate savings; Luce also said VC3 has indicated the township may be required to pay the remainder of its contract unless breaches are shown, and he said he is documenting incidents of breach but may choose to pay off the contract to avoid legal costs.
Workstations and budget: Luce said the township has received two workstation quotes: one for $83,500 plus $4,700 to remove old equipment and a second for $81,365 including removal. He said he will return with a funding request of $100,000 plus $10,000 for contingencies to complete the improvements.
Road funding: Luce said Sheetz estimated road-improvement costs linked to its site work at about $977,000. The township would seek a traffic study and conceptual design from Spalding DeDecker to establish costs up to Cullen Road, then apply to MDOT for a TIP grant; to be eligible the township must show a 20% local match, which could come from developer contributions, funds from the Square One project and a possible township contribution.
Why it matters: the combined operational and capital changes affect near-term budgets and vendor commitments and could alter how services such as payroll and IT are delivered to township departments. The road project discussion signals potential future capital spending and grant-seeking that would impact local traffic and development.
What’s next: staff will return with proposed budget requests and contract paperwork for the board’s consideration.
