Leland Township held its annual meeting on its proposed budgets on Saturday, approving salary resolutions for all members of the board.
The highest proposed increase is for the clerk position, whose total salary was approved for $58,500. Last year, the pay for the position increased by 6.9%, going from $46,746 to $50,250. The increase, which reflects additional election duties now required of the clerk, is more than the original request of $55,000 after members of the public proposed a higher option at the meeting.
The supervisor, treasurer, and trustee positions will all see a 3.1% increase in salary pay as well. The compensation for the supervisor’s post will increase from $33,075 to $34,100, while the trustee pay will increase from $7,560 to $7,800. The current salary rate for the township treasurer is $44,100, and will also increase by 3.1% after the public made a motion during the meeting to include the raise for the position.
The majority of the public voted to approve each of the salary increases, however, some commented on their reasons for opposition, particularly for the township’s supervisor salary resolution.
Larry Acker, attorney for former Leland Township maintenance employee Ken Hagstrom, spoke as a member of the public and as a year-round township resident, voicing his opposition for the salary increase of the township supervisor Clint Mitchell.
Acker also commented on the Hagstrom lawsuit filed this month in Leelanau County Circuit Court against the township board and the supervisor that claims his client was wrongfully terminated from his full-time maintenance position of 29 years. Acker said on Saturday that Hagstrom was not offered a severance package despite the township originally saying in January that one would be offered to him.
“I represent Mr. Hagstrom on a pro-bono basis, there’s nothing in it for me or my law firm, but this is outrageous,” Acker said at the meeting. “To fire a gentleman who’s been a faithful employee for 29 years, and claim that that is somehow a budget adjustment. No other budgets are taking that kind of a hit. So I won’t applaud you and I will not applaud you, and I will see you in court.”
According to the township’s proposed 2025-26 budget, its total general fund expenditures are $886,009, a slight increase from the projected 2024-25 expense total of $871,179. In Mitchell’s annual meeting report, he said the township has developed a sustainable operating budget that not only funds the day-today functions of the township, but also contributes to infrastructure and park improvements on an annual basis.
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Highlights from this year include overhauling the township’s outdoor maintenance program to create significant savings, which Mitchell said frees up thousands of dollars annually for park and road projects. In his report, Mitchell says those dollars will pay for “a facilities plan for Hancock, the design and permit process for a dock on the Leland River, and a portion of the costs to rebuild the Grove Park tennis court.”
Acker commented on the general plan for Hancock laid out by Mitchell, which notes “an improved little league baseball/ softball field and basketball courts, a dedicated ice rink space, a playground, pickleball, and picnic areas.” In addition, the plans include ADAcompliant parking and the demolition of unsafe structures. Acker called into question those plans, the budget, as well as whether the public was supposed to understand that funding for the projects would be taken from Hagstrom’s salary. Mitchell responded to Acker’s concerns, and said future funding for these projects could come from numerous sources like grants, a millage, private donations, etc.
Former Leland Township Supervisor Cal Little took a moment following Acker’s comments regarding future funding for local parks, to acknowledge the concept that it’s not too late “to do something for Mr. Hagstrom.”
“He served the township well for 29 years and I know there’s a lawsuit in progress,” Little said. “I’m not sure that has to come to fruition/conclusion. I think the township, under the leadership of the supervisor, could someway offer a stipend of severance and satisfy the moral and ethical allegations that many of us perceive are due for Mr. Hagstrom for his loyal service.”
Aside from ongoing concerns over township park and maintenance work appropriations, the budget for this year includes a master road plan for Leland village streets that Mitchell says will address pedestrian and vehicle traffic, parking, and drainage. New crosswalks are also in order for Leland School, as well as the repainting of Reynolds Street to help with parking enforcement and the construction of sidewalks along Grand Avenue. Approximately $151,949 is allotted for the proposed 2025-26 public works fund, which includes $146,949 designated for sidewalks. The township anticipates a total revenue of $302,000 to be added to the 2025-26 budget, which takes into account funds from the Sunset Shores bond. The projected fund balance for capital improvement on March 31, 2026 is $365,000.
Mitchell continued in his report, adding that going forward, their goal will be to leverage township operating revenues every year to maximize road commission funding on road projects under $100,000, as well as to look at some combination of special assessment districts and millages “for costlier, large-scale construction.”
Other projects considered in the budget include the repair and winterization of the township’s harbor bathrooms that will allow the building to stay open through the holidays and earlier in the spring. The proposed 2025-26 total expenditures for the harbor dredge, maintenance, and improvement fund is $73,600, an increase from the 2024-25 fiscal year total of $52,148.
It’s also noted that the planning commission is considering the proposed creation of a “cultural zoning overlay” in Leland, in which the riverfront district would encompass the library campus and both Old Art Building properties, and ultimately expanding their use of space.
In addition, small annual increases in hookup and user fees are implemented in this year’s budget in order to “preserve long-term sustainability.” Expenditures for the sewer improvement fund are projected to increase from $177,573 from the 2024-25 fiscal year to $234,500 in 2025-26.
Revenue for the fire and rescue operating fund for the 202526 budget is $1,440,993, up more than $65,000 from the 2024-25 budget total of $1,375,760. The increase is due to more revenue coming in from property taxes collected. Anticipated expenditures are approximately $1,439,450. In 2025-26, projects include painting the interior of the stations, improving the flooring at the Leland station, the upgrade of some advanced medical equipment, and increasing the fire department millage to meet the staffing and service needs of the community.
