Board adopts new purchasing policy

The Laketown Township Board of Trustees on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, adopted a purchasing policy, the first time the township has had such a policy.

For budgeted purposes, department heads and supervisors, subject to approval by the manager, are authorized to make purchases for supplies, materials, equipment and services up to $10,000. At least two written price quotations shall be obtained for services between $5,000 and $10,000.

For items in the budget that cost between $10,000 but less than $20,000, the township must solicit competitive bids and submit them to the manager.

For all items of $20,000 or more, the manager must authorize either competitive bids or seal bids and submit the bids with a recommendation for approval by the board of trustees.

Other business

In other business, the township board:

• Tabled until August the funding of public transportation with a possible millage vote. Residents are circulating a petition to put Interurban Transportation Authority funding on the ballot, according to Supervisor Steven Ringelberg.
• Approved a new amount of not to exceed $665,859 for a new pumper/tanker for the Graafschap Fire Department and authorized signing the lease purchase agreement.
• Approved a resolution to oppose multiple state bills that would restrict local control of zoning, land divisions and elections.
• Approved adoption of a rezoning of land at 6381 146^th Ave. from R-1 Rural Estate District to R-2 Low Density Residential District.
• Approved awarding an incentive payment of $5,250 to Manager Stephanie Fox after a closed-session review.