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CASSOPOLIS — The Cassopolis Village Council held the first of two June action meetings on Monday.

The meeting started with two public hearings, both part of requirements giving constituents the chance to comment prior to final action being taken. The first hearing was regarding the legally required Public Hearing on Truth in Taxation, which allows the village to avoid the Headlee Rollbacks and maintain the same millage rates as in the past. The second hearing was to allow the public to comment on the 2025-26 village budget. A vote on both items will take place during a special meeting on Tuesday, June 23.

“Our millage stays the same,” noted Village Manager Emilie LaGrow. “We’re not looking to change that.”

Invoices totaling $268,335.44 were approved, after questions about specific items were raised by Trustees Makay and Pedersen regarding equipment and vehicle repairs, as well as the lake improvement assessment at Stone Lake.

Several public comments were made regarding infrastructure concerns throughout the village, including proper drainage and tree growth along raised utility lines. The council has continued to discuss drainage problems in the village at recent meetings.

The council also heard comments complimenting the progress in the village and activities such as a school event allowing students to comment on the future of village parks and the recent Beach Bash event. Trustee Luckey also commented positively on the Beach Bash.

“It was an amazing weekend,” he said. “I think it was probably one of our best weekends.”

The council approved a resolution to apply for a Category B grant for use in repairs on sections of Jefferson Street and East Water Street. If won, the work would likely begin in the second half of 2026, addressing repairs on Jefferson from South Broadway to South East Street and on East Water from South Broadway to Depot Street.

Pedersen and Makay both inquired about the prioritization process for assigning road repairs, noting concerns about Forest Shores Drive, Rowland Street and York Street. According to LaGrow, village staff use several parameters to assign the limited road repair funds that are available, including utilizing the Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating system, as well as factoring in costs for addressing other repairs to underground infrastructure that can be fixed at the same time.

The next Cassopolis Area Utilities Authority meeting will take place at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 16. The next village council workshop meeting, which will also include a special meeting for action taken on the two public hearings will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 23.