Salary increases totaling $1,550 were included for township officers in the 2008-2009 budget reviewed Saturday at the Annual Meeting of Solon Township inhabitants.

No action on proposed raises was taken at the annual township meeting, meaning that the increases automatically went into effect when the new budget year began Tuesday. As proposed, township Clerk Shirley Mikowski will received an additional $800, bringing her annual salary to $12,000. A $750 jump was also included for the township Treasurer Joan Gauthier, which brings her pay to $12,710 for 2008-2009.

No increase in compensation was sought or approved for township Supervisor Ron (Carl) Williams. His pay for this budget year will remain at $9,810.

Fire Chief Albin Rosinski provided a report on fire department operations at Saturday’s annual gathering. Although no formal action has been taken, the Township Board has discussed increasing its millage from 1/2-mill to 3/4-mill as Solon’s contribution toward fire department operations in 2008-2009. The separate fire department budget includes $60,000 each from Solon and Centerville townships, plus annual contracts of $43,000 from Kasson and Cleveland townships. The fire budget shows $267,800 in receipts for 2008-2009. The department also has $134,331 in restricted funds which includes $116,382 in the Hanni Morenz Memorial Fund.

The operating budget for ambulance total $182,500, including $80,000 for salaries and withholding and another $80,000 for emergency medical technician and firefighters salaries and benefits. Another $33,000 is earmarked for insurance; $18,000 in salaries of officers/chiefs/clerk/treasurer and supervisor; $18,000 for repairs and maintenance; $12,000 for fire training and supplies and $6,000 for vehicle repairs/replacement.

Fire and ambulance budgets combined total $557,299.

Spending on emergency services dwarfs the Solon Township spending plan for 2008-2009 adopted at $317,850. A 5 percent increase in state shared revenue is expected this fiscal year bringing the township’s line item to $105,000. An additional $60,000 in revenue would come from the 3/4-mill levy for fire; $46,000 from the township’s allocated millage and $113,814 in the form of a state grant for construction of a municipal sewer in the unincorporated village of Cedar.

The township has other “funds” set aside for future use. They a road improvement fund with $36,066; a $53,213 fire department sinking fund; $13,543 for computer equipment; $16,6117 for roof repairs; $11,617 for sidewalk improvements and $1,1133 for the Downtown Development Authority.

A fund balance of $21,000 is anticipated at the end of the 2008-2009 budget year on March 31, 2009.