Emmett Twp. receives positive audit report, advances park, road projects
EMMETT TWP. — Emmett Township officials received positive news during the July 8 Board of Trustees meeting, as board members reviewed the township’s 2026 audit report, which earned favorable comments from auditors despite one continuing recommendation tied to limited staffing.
Treasurer Carrie Kot told the board the only recurring audit finding remains segregation of duties, a recommendation she hopes can eventually be removed.
According to the audit comments, the recommendation continues because of the township’s limited staff, despite improvements made by township officials.
The meeting also marked the beginning of the community’s volunteer KaBoom playground installation project, work was scheduled to begin the following morning at 8 a.m.
The board approved Resolution 26-18 authorizing three P.A. 116 Farmland Preservation applications submitted by Duane Jurn for parcels 74-19-006-1001-000, 74-19-006-1002-000 and 74-19-006-1003-100. Approval is contingent upon the Blue Water Conservation District providing approval for the remaining parcels after township officials discovered the district appeared to have reviewed only one of the three applications submitted.
Board members also approved payment of a $954 township attorney invoice, with $360 coming from the Park Account and the remaining balance paid from the General Fund.
The township will purchase a new 5-by-8-foot U.S. flag and a 3-by-5-foot Michigan state flag using general fund maintenance dollars.
Trustees approved the township’s 2026 Park and Recreation Millage distribution application for $14,158 in funding.
Looking ahead to future infrastructure improvements, Supervisor Mike Butler discussed the township’s 2027 Local Road Funding application. Officials are considering using the funding for two large culvert replacement projects. Butler said he will obtain project cost estimates before the board discusses the proposal further at its next meeting.
Clerk Stephanie Jackson reported that the majority of absentee ballots have been mailed for the Aug. 4 election and that early voting election inspectors have been scheduled. She also announced that the township received full reimbursement of $2,507.62 from Yale Public Schools for the May 2026 school election.
Kot reported that summer tax payments are steadily being received and noted that residents have already begun using the township’s new BS&A online payment system. While she said the program has been beneficial for taxpayers, she is working with the company’s information technology staff to resolve reporting issues affecting treasurers who continue using Tax.net.
The Planning Commission reported that a building permit has been submitted for a new barn on Shamrock Lane after placement issues were resolved. Commissioners also reported they are preparing three blight ordinance violation letters.
The Park Committee said it was unable to determine how many volunteers registered for the three-day KaBoom playground build because the online registration program was not functioning properly.
The township’s building administrator reported handling 21 items during June, while the enforcement officer reported receiving a blight complaint for a residence on Brennan Road.
The next regular board meeting will be held on Aug. 12 at 7 p.m.
