Laketown on ‘sound fiscal footing,’ OKs budget

Other action includes increase in meeting pay and new cemetery rules.

The Laketown Township Board of Trustees unanimously approved the 2026-2027 Fiscal Year Budget on March 12, 2026.

The Laketown Township Board of Trustees unanimously approved the 2026-2027 budget at a special meeting on Thursday, March 12, 2026.

“We are at a good, sound fiscal footing,” said Supervisor Steven Ringelberg, but that “doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep looking for places to save money.”

The general fund revenues are estimated to be $1,889,226, same as the expenses.

For more on the budget, click here. A copy of the budget is also available at the township office, 4338 Beeline Road.

The budget passed with Ringelberg, Treasurer Jim Johnson and Trustee Mark Timmerman approving the document. Clerk Jim Delaney and Trustee Mike Koeman were absent.

On Wednesday, March 11, the board held a public hearing on the budget. No one spoke during the comment period.

The proposed budget did not reflect the recent sale of the Wolters House. The township closed on the sale to Holland Christian Schools earlier on March 11. The total amount received by the township after paying off the mortgage is $170,593.89.

Budget changes

Before approving the budget at the special meeting March 12, Ringelberg proposed what he called “top-level changes” and the board unanimously passed the five items:

  • To change Parks Commission Capital Outlay budget of $105,000 to $175,000 to pay for new stairs at Laketown Township Beach and possible land acquisition.
  • To change Building & Grounds Principal on Bonds Solar Payment from $27,000 to $15,000.
  • To change Buildings & Grounds Capital Outlay from $35,038 to $15,000.
  • To change Buildings & Grounds Contracted Services from $45,000 to $90,000. This is to help fund major repairs at the Felt Mansion. Ringelberg said the executive director of the Felt Estate will address the board about the need for long-term repairs.
  • To move $100,000 from Bike Paths Engineering to Drains Contracted Services for a total of $210,000.

Other business March 12

In other business at the March 12 meeting, the board unanimously approved pay increases for the members of the parks commission, planning commission, zoning board of appeals, fire board and board of review.

The per diems have been $100 per meeting for board/commission members and $125 for the chairperson since 2024, except the board of review who are paid $30 an hour.

The newly approved rates that begin April 1 are $110 per meeting for board/commission members and $135 per meeting for the chairperson of the parks commission, zoning board of appeals and fire board.

Planning commission members will make $150 per meeting, and the chairperson will make $175 per meeting.

Board of review members will make $35 per hour with the organizational meeting being no more than one hour.

March 11 action

The board on March 11: