The Empire Township Board approved the 2008-09 budget in a special meeting following the Annual Meeting Saturday afternoon.

There were no major changes to the budget after public review of figures during a public hearing. As part of the annual meeting the electorate unanimously approved salary increases requested by the Township Board in February.

The following salary increases were approved unanimously:

• Supervisor William Bolton, from $6,800 to $7,200, a 5.9 percent increase;

• Trustees Phil Deering and Carl Noonan, a 33 percent increase from $900 to $1,200 each;

• Clerk Christine Neiswonger, a 13 percent jump from $17,706 to $20,000;

• Treasurer Hal Pendleton, a 3 percent raise from $17,706 to $18,240.

Other pay raises approved as part of the budget for township employees include a 3 percent jump for the assessor Chris Krellwitz, from $18,410 to $18,960; for township Planning Commission members, an annual salary increase of 29.4 percent from $1,020 to $1,320; and Zoning administrator Gene A. “Toni” Perfect a 9.3 percent jump from $6,405 to $7,000.

The five-fund budget calls for $1,021,764 in expenditures, up 35 percent from $756,883 in 2007-08. The biggest part of the increase comes from the fire fund where expenditures increase 49 percent from $533,591 for 2007-08 to $794,084. A majority of that increase comes from the costs of a proposed new contract with the Glen Arbor Township Fire and Rescue Department to provide both emergency medical service and fire fighting service for Empire. The contract cost jumps three-fold from $230,000 for 2007-08 to $690,000, although the township plans to continue to collect a 4.25-mill property tax to fund fire and rescue operations.

The township set aside $90,000 to convert the meeting room at the fire hall into living quarters for the full-time fire fighters/EMTs who will be station at the station once the new contract goes into effect.

The budget calls for $1,373,531.42 in revenues for 2008-09.

The general fund had a fund balance of $389,840.15 as of April 1, 2008, General Fund revenues include $195,924 expected from property taxes. If general fund spending goes as laid out in the budget, the fund balance would not diminish through the fiscal year.

The only major expenditure increases noted in the general fund was for elections, which were upped from $3,315 for 2007-08 to $6,720. Clerk Christine Neiswonger said with at least three elections expected this year — the May school vote, an August primary and November general election — the township will be spending more than in past years for election workers and supplies.

No changes were made in the fire memorial fund, established by the township to accept donations to the department through wills and other gifts, or in the liquor control fund. The township received $1,100 from the state Liquor Control Commission to pay for state liquor inspections of bars and restaurants that serve alcohol. The township joins with Empire Village to pay for a county Sheriff’s Department deputy to patrol the village during the busy summer months.

The township also maintains a campground fund, which calls for $27,000 in expenditures and revenues, the same as last year. Supervisor William Bolton said the board is looking for a new campground manager for the summer season. Anyone interested in the position should call the township office at 326-5182.