An increase in the Solon Township fire millage will be needed to meet the needs of the Cedar Fire and Rescue Department, according to a proposed 2008-09 township budget.

Fire department operations, the status of a proposed municipal sewer and salary increases totaling $1,550 are slated for discussion at the Annual Meeting of Solon Township inhabitants Saturday.

The 10 a.m. meeting at the township hall on Kasson Street will include a review of the proposed spending plan, which includes $60,000 in revenue from a 3/4-mill levy to fund the fire department.

Although no formal action has been taken by the board to place a proposal before voters, the line item is included as “proposed receipts” for the upcoming fiscal year that begins April 1. The township’s current half-mill levy for fire operations expires this year.

Centerville Township, which shares fiduciary responsibility for the joint department, has traditionally covered its portion of expenses without an additional millage with moneys coming from the general fund. That may also change in 2008-09.

A total of $294,700 in estimated receipts, up by more than a third from $198,200 for this spending year, is included in the proposed Solon Township budget. The proposed increase in fire millage is expected to jump fire revenues from $37,000 to $46,000. State shared revenue is projected to increase 5 per cent to $105,000. And the township has budgeted $61,000 from a grant to help fund a proposed municipal sewer system in Cedar.

Estimated expenses are budgeted at $317,850, which includes the fire operations contribution. Also included: $36,500 for the Planning Commission,$11,330 for assessing, $10,000 for professional/legal/audit fees, and $7,500 for utilities.

Some $84,446 is listed as “actual funds available.” The budget also listed a fund balance of $21,000, a sidewalk fund ($5,000), road improvement fund ($10,000) and fire sinking fund ($20,000).

Estimated expenses include an $800 increase in compensation for clerk Shirley Mikowski, bringing her annual salary to $12,000. A $750 pay jump is also sought for township Treasurer Joan Gauthier, which would bring her pay to $12,710 for 2008-09.

Barring any action from those in attendance at Saturday’s Annual Meeting, compensation for Supervisor Ron (Carl) Williams will remain at the current level of $9,810. Trustees will also continue to receive $80 per meeting.

Residents attending the meeting may accept, reject or alter the proposed pay increases. Should electors decide to reduce pay, the lower rate would take effect in November following elections for board seats.

A separate budget developed by the department’s fire board includes an $800 increase in compensation for chief Albin Rosinski, bringing his annual salary to $6,000. Mikowski, who also serves as Clerk of the fire board, will receive an $800 increase in pay for the upcoming budget year, for a total of $6,000. Gauthier will receive an additional $400 in 2008-2009, bringing the salary to $3,000.

The budget also includes $18,000 for fire department officers, an amount unchanged from this year.