Brandon Twp.- During a special meeting Dec. 14, the township board adopted a $2,170,345 operating budget as well as approved a 2.5 percent raise for elected officials and all township employees.
Both the budget and the raises were approved by a 4-1 vote, with Supervisor Ron Lapp, Clerk Jeannie McCreery and trustees Tom Stowell and Bob DeWitt voting yes. Trustee Charlene Carlson voted no. Treasurer Linda Owen and trustee Sandra Willett were absent.
The township’s 2005 operating budget was $2,539,334.
‘It’s down because the revenues are down,? Lapp said. ?’We have to do more with less… We will be reviewing each department’s budget on a monthly basis to watch for trouble.?
The township board approved a raise that is a half-percent larger than last year, which Lapp says is an attempt to keep up with the consumer price index.
‘I don’t think we’re out of line,? he said. ‘It’s a lean budget, no fat.?