Holland Village Council has approved a $4.6 million budget for 2022.
At a November 16 meeting, village clerk/treasurer Lyn Krasula told council the budget and finance committee had reviewed all of the department’s requests for expenses.
She said the total will come in $150,000 less than revenues, “which is a good cushion for us.”
Total appropriations for next year are $4,688,775.
Council also approved a pay raise for village employees, as recommended by the wage and hiring and budget committees.
All employees, council members and planning commission members will be granted a 3 percent increase in 2022.
In another financial matter, council voted to reallocate the annual share of village income tax revenue that is committed to capital improvement projects.
Since 2016, Ms. Krasula said, the split in tax revenue has been 85 percent to the general fund and 15 percent to capital projects such as streets and parks.
“But now, a lot of the big projects are coming to an end, so we have the growing problem of too much in that account,” she explained.
“We need to taper down that remaining fund balance because once it’s put in there it has to stay.”
At Ms. Krasula’s recommendation, council approved a new split that will be 90 percent to the general fund and 10 percent to capital projects.
Reducing the capital amount by 5 percent will mean $175,000 instead will go to the general fund, she noted.
Mayor Lee Irons said the practice of setting aside revenue for major projects began with a sanitary sewer project “many years ago.”
“We needed money at that time,” he said.
The mayor also thanked Ms. Krasula for managing village funds so well, aiding the growth in revenue.
Other Business
In other business, council:
•Authorized a payment of $253 to Superior Uniforms for equipment for a new police officer.
•Approved a contract with Paul Skaff of the Leatherman and Witzler law firm to serve as village solicitor.
“Paul, thank you for your continued service,” Mayor Irons said.
•Authorized agreements to hold public funds with two banks, Signature and Waterford.
•Approved the payment of $190,523 in bills, which includes about $106,000 in final payments for the Holloway and Hamilton road projects, Ms. Krasula said.
•Heard from Mayor Irons that Toledo Edison will replace two streetlights on Hamilton Drive.
Council’s next meeting will be at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 4, at the village hall, 1245 Clarion Avenue. The meeting is open to the public.
–Beth Church
