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CASSOPOLIS — Priorities for village resources and spending funds were discussed at Monday’s regular Cassopolis Village Council meeting.

Trustee Asali Kelly expressed a desire for “creative solutions for good roads and clean water”, noting that while the village is growing, it is her preference to prioritize existing infrastructure and current village residents over continued expansion. Trustees Jeanne Makay and Jim Pedersen both concurred with the opinion, noting particular roads or sidewalks in poor condition.

“Let’s not ignore the actual village,” said Makay.

The council had several questions for Village Manager Emilie LaGrow regarding an international diplomacy trip to the Middle East. After sponsorship provided by Midwest Energy & Communications, the trip cost the village $7,000. LaGrow was invited by the Michigan Municipal League. She defended the trip as a part of her work bringing foreign trade investment to the village and building relationships at the state level and beyond to secure funding and grant dollars and to lift the profile of Cassopolis.

“It’s not just about visibility, it’s about results,” said LaGrow, noting a 24.6 percent GDP increase in 2023 for the village.

Trustee Kelly questioned whether this particular trip and those types of results were related and requested to know about such expenses before they occurred. According to LaGrow, the council was made aware before the trip occurred, though it was noted by Kelly the cost was not communicated.

According to LaGrow, certain decisions must be made by staff for the sake of efficiency and current rules allow for spending up to $25,000 before requiring council approval. Trustees Pedersen and Makay expressed a desire to review rules regarding travel and training approval.

“The trip was to build relationships and you’ll certainly apprise us of the fruit that this travel provided,” said Pedersen.

“The fruit is the continuation of fostering relationships with people throughout the state that helps us continue to move things forward,” said LaGrow. “I think that is important and I think foreign trade investment and showing the opportunities there remain important.”

LaGrow invited the council to request information when communication from staff is unclear.

“We want to ensure that you have the information needed when people ask you questions,” she said. “It is disheartening when misinformation is shared throughout the community because we are not getting it out to them in the right way.”

The council also received a preview of the draft budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Highlighted were several grant dollars earned by the village for a variety of projects.

Also included were funds for possible repairs related to the ongoing investigation of several sewer line breaks. Testing for the cause of the problem, at a cost of about $16,000, will take place later in May, with results coming this summer.

The Department of Public Works is also hoping to install a new communication system between the water tower and wells, at an estimated cost of $15,000. According to DPW, the current system frequently loses communication, requiring staff to manually switch water on and off at the tower and increasing costs to the village. Village Clerk Tonia Betty noted that the related monthly expense of the current system that had once been $80 was now $800.

A public hearing regarding the budget will take place on June 9th prior to the regular council meeting, when trustees will vote on its approval.

Trustee Makay asked several clarifying questions regarding the approval of invoices totalling $309,553.16, verifying that utility expenses paid out for a home by the village were reimbursed and questioning the purchase of computer equipment. According to village staff, tablets, keyboards, mounts, and related hardware nearing $20,000 were purchased for police squad cars. New computers, required due to the Microsoft phase-out of Windows 10 support, were also purchased for the village at a cost nearing $19,000.

After questions arose at last month’s meeting, it was clarified that the Stone Lake Improvement Board must abide by the Michigan Open Meetings Act, meaning that major decisions such as budgets and treatment options are required to go through the transparent public process and smaller actions do not require a meeting, as long as they exist within the scope of the decisions already approved publicly.

Members of the council, including Makay, Kelly, and Pedersen, requested transparency in the sales process of a property acquired and improved via the Michigan State Housing Development Authority Mod program. The conversation focused on balancing costs to the village with a fair and transparent process that would allow the council and village residents to be better informed of the availability of the property and the qualifications for purchase. The MSHDA home in question will likely be released to the market by the end of June at a sale price no more than $224,500. 

Due to the Memorial Day holiday, there will be no council workshop meeting in May. The next regular council meeting will take place June 9, following the budget public hearing, as well as a public hearing for property taxes required annually by the Headlee Amendment. The next Cassopolis Area Utilities Authority meeting will take place at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 19. Both meetings take place at the village hall. The Beach Bash at Stone Lake Beach will take place on June 6 and 7.