×

Wells fiscal officer: Levy replaces lost money

BRILLIANT — Wells Township residents in the November general election again are being asked to approve a 1.2-mill additional levy that will replace money lost by a tax devaluation at the Cardinal Plant.

The levy was defeated in the May primary election by a vote of 292-269.

Joe Matthews, township fiscal officer, said $216,556 was lost in tax money from the power plant. The township had a budget last year of $2.4 million, and the budget has been cut across the board by 10 percent for this year.

Matthews also noted $500,000 is given to four fire departments and one emergency medical services department each year, and that money also was cut by 10 percent.

“The most affected is the road department,” Matthews noted.

The heavy rains this summer resulted in a road slip on Beach Flats Road, and Matthews said the county engineer’s department estimated it would cost $135,000 to fix the slip. He said there are 19 residents on the road with only one way in and out, adding the township will probably have to take out a loan to make the repairs.

Matthews said the township is only trying to replace the money it lost from the tax devaluation of the power plant.

“We are not trying to make the budget bigger,” he said.

The township reduced the number of days the swimming pool was open during the summer and also cut back on chip-and-seal paving. He noted work by outside contractors has been reduced, and township crews haven’t trimmed any of the more than 200 trees in the Labelle Street area — something the township has done every summer.

If the levy is approved, the owner of a $50,000 home will pay $21 a year, according to the county auditor’s office. The levy will generate $219,233 a year, it was noted.

Matthews said if the levy isn’t approved, the township will have to make more cuts, which could affect the fireworks, summer concerts and pool operations.

He noted snow removal could be affected, adding snow plows may not be out with frequency, and residents may have to wait for snow removal.

“We are approaching the point the village of Brilliant was in 25 years ago, when there wasn’t enough money to operate. We are approaching the point where we will be patching potholes and not making any road improvements,” Matthews said.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today