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Regular Meeting December 9, 2025
Village of Marcellus Council Proceedings
President Irwin called the regular meeting of the Marcellus Village Council to order at 7:00 p.m on December 9, 2025, in the Marcellus Village Hall. Trustees present: Markle, Engstrom, Irwin, Haley M., Haley G. and Watts. Trustee Webb was absent.
Agenda
Motion by Inwin, supported by Haley M., to approve the agenda with the following addition:
- Under President's Report — Add Item C. MAESA Report and Meeting Packets for November 10, 2025, and December 8, 2025.
Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Bills
Motion by Haley G., supported by Engstrom, to authorize the payment of bills in the amount of $46,142.34. Roll call vote - Ayes: Markle, Haley G., Engstrom, Haley M., Watts and Irwin. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda
Motion by Haley M., supported by Markle, to receive and place on file all items on the Consent Agenda. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
President's Report Quote — B&H Photo Video
Motion by Irwin, supported by Markle, to approve the purchase of microphones and associated
equipment for upgrading the sound equipment in the Village Hall Council chambers at a cost not to exceed $1,870.56. Roll call vote — Ayes: Irwin, Haley, M. Watts, Markle, Engstrom and Haley
G. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Christmas Bonuses
Motion by Irwin, supported by Watts, to pay employee Christmas Bonuses in the amount of $100.00 for each full-time employee and $50.00 for each part-time employee position as provided for in the Personnel Policies Manual. Roll call vote — Ayes: Haley G., Irwin, Engstrom, Haley M. and Watts. Nays: None. Trustee Markle abstained. Motion carried.
MAESA Report
President Irwin gave the MAESA report for the December 8, 2025, MAESA meeting and moved to receive and place on file the November 10, 2025, and December 8, 2025, MAESA meeting packets. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
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Regular Meeting December 9, 2025
Village of Marcellus Council Proceedings
DPW
Road Salt Order — Cass County Road Commission
Motion by Irwin, supported by Engstrom, to approve the purchase of 20 to 30 tons of road salt from the Cass County Road Commission at a cost not to exceed $2,400.00. Roll call vote — Ayes: Engstrom, Haley M., Markle, Haley G., Irwin and Watts. Nays: None. Motion carried.
November 2025 DPW Report
Motion by Irwin, supported by Markel, to receive and place on file the November 2025 DPW. Report. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Personnel Committee
Treasurer/Administrative Assistant Employee Evaluation
Trustee Engstrom reported that Village Treasurer/Administrative Assistant Tina Thornburgh received a favorable five-year employee evaluation, thanked her for doing an excellent job and moved, supported by Watts, to approve a 75-cent per hour raise retroactive to her November 5, 2025, employment anniversary date. Roll call vote — Ayes: Watts, Irwin, Markle, Haley M., Haley G. and Engstrom. Nays: None. Motion carried.
DPW Employee Michael Clark — D3 Water License
Trustee Engstrom reported that DPW Employee Michael Clark passed his D3 Water License exam on November 5, 2025, and is eligible for a $1.00 per hour increase for that license: Markle then moved, supported by Irwin, to approve the scheduled raise. Roll call vote — Ayes: Markle, Thomas, Irwin, Haley, Welburn, Engstrom and Webb. Nays: None. Motion carried.
DPW Employee Cory Garman 90-Day Evaluation
Motion by Engstrom, supported by Watts, to approve continued employment for DPW. Employee Garman who received a favorable 90-day evaluation on December 4, 2025, and is now eligible for further benefits as outlined in the Village's Personnel Policy Manual. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Planning Commission Reminder
Trustee Markle reminded the Village Council and members of the public that the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the Master Plan on January 14, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. during the Planning Commission's regular meeting.
2025 and 2026 Budgets — Public Hearing:
Motion by Irwin, supported by Engstrom, to recess the regular Village Council meeting and open the public Budget Hearing at 7:29 p.m. Roll call vote - Ayes: Haley M., Engstrom, Irwin, Markle, Watts and Haley G. Nays: None. Motion carried.
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Regular Meeting December 9, 2025
Village of Marcellus Council Proceedings
Village Council members reviewed the 2025 proposed budget amendments and 2026 proposed budgets for all funds, with Village Manager/Clerk Terrill sharing the following overview and highlights for the 2025 and proposed 2026 budgets:
General Fund
The General Fund levy is currently 7.7064 mills and will roll back further under Headlee in 2026. This means the Village will face reduced revenue while costs continue to rise.
Over the past year, the Village and the DDA have worked together to maintain rental buildings, which are central to downtown vitality. These properties and their tenants provide jobs, sustain activity, and ensure the DDA continues to operate. Unlike many DDAs that have their own millages or special revenue streams, ours is funded entirely by taxpayers and receives more than $72,000 annually. The upkeep of these buildings and the relationship with tenants is therefore essential.
The Village and the DDA also partnered with the Cass County Land Bank on the former Tailgater stabilization project, which is nearing completion. These efforts demonstrate investment in both downtown vitality and community safety.
This year, the Village worked to update its Master Plan and Parks & Recreation Plan, which outline the priorities and investments needed to build the future residents expect — while also sustaining the services they rely on today. These plans require funding to become reality. Rising costs and shrinking revenues put the Village in a position where sustaining essential services and infrastructure becomes increasingly unsustainable. Services the residents have come to depend on, from the employees who provide the services, to the trucks that plows that keep the streets clear, the technology that runs billing systems, the buildings we maintain, the parks we improve and the mandatory compliance work. Grants have and can help us to achieve many goals, but nearly all require matching funds and significant administrative work.
Responsible leadership requires investment, because services and improvements cannot be sustained without additional revenues from taxes, rates, and/or other reliable funding sources.
Simply saying “no” to spending is not responsible governance. It is not sustainable, will not support and maintain a town, and it does not honor the plans you have worked so hard to create. True leadership means recognizing that investment is necessary — that if we want the benefits, we must also provide the revenues. Put simply: if we want all the things, we must pay for all the things.
Major and Local Street Funds
Both the Major Street Fund and the Local Street Fund are supported by Act 51 distributions from the state. The state has promised increases, but they will follow a short-term dip, and how the’new revenues will be distributed remains uncertain. Once marijuana tax revenues stabilize, the Village expects some additional funding, but it may not result in significant increases to our Act 51 revenues overall.
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Regular Meeting December 9, 2025
Village of Marcellus Council Proceedings
Major Street dollars help with patching and routine maintenance, but major resurfacing projects will still require grant funding. Local Street funding is even more limited, making it difficult to cover more than the basics of neighborhood street maintenance. To strengthen this fund, a Transportation Asset Management Plan filed with MDOT will allow the Village to transfer dollars from the Major Street Fund into the Local Street Fund. This approach provides greater flexibility to funding for maintaining major and local streets.
Water Fund
The Village Council was reminded that the Water Fund has already secured $1 million in federal EPA funding for the water treatment plant project and, since the original scope was nearly $4 million, the Village will need to work with an engineer to scale the project to an affordable level. In addition, the Village must replace water meters that are now beyond their ten-year service life. This replacement effort will be conducted as a multi-year project and will be shared with the Sewer Fund.
Sewer Fund
The Village will resume discussions with LASA in the new year to explore shared wastewater treatment solutions. The Village is also saving toward a sludge removal project estimated at $500,000, which will be needed within the next decade. Because sludge removal often reveals hidden issues, reserves are being planned to cover both the base project and any unexpected costs.
Garbage Fund
The Garbage Fund pays for contracted garbage collection services and operating expenses. There are no capital items in this fund.
Fund Balance Guidance
The Michigan Department of Treasury recommends that smaller municipalities maintain a higher fund balance because they often have less diverse revenue streams and greater exposure to unexpected costs.
There were no public comments during the public hearing. Motion by Markle, supported by Engstrom, to close the Public Hearing and return to the regular session at 7:47 p.m. Roll call vote - Ayes: Haley M., Engstrom, Irwin, Markle, Watts and Haley, G. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Resumption of Regular
Approval and Adoption of 2025 Budget Amendments and 2026 Budgets for All Funds
Motion by Irwin, supported by Watts, to approve and amend the 2025 budgets for all funds and to approve and adopt the proposed 2026 budgets for all funds as presented; and to agree not to charge more than 7.7064 mills for the Village’s General Operating Fund and 4.1420 mills for the Village's Street Improvement Fund for the 2026 tax rate request, complying with the Uniform
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Regular Meeting December 9, 2025
Village of Marcellus Council Proceedings
Budgeting and Accounting Act of 1968, Section 16 of MCL Section 141.436, the General appropriations act requirements along with the Budget Hearings of Local Governments Act (1963 PA 43), which requires notice to be published at least six days prior to the hearing ina “newspaper of general circulation” and must include a statement printed in 11-point boldfaced type, stating “The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the proposed budget will be a subject of this hearing.” Budget hearings held in accordance with the provisions of the local charter and/or ordinance will meet this requirement. This hearing also fulfills the requirement for a “truth in taxation” hearing. The required notice was published in The Marcellus News on November 20, 2025, and posted at the front window of the Marcellus Village Hall on November 20, 2025. Roll call vote - Ayes: Watts, Haley G., Engstrom, Markle, Irwin and Haley M. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Public Comment
Village Manager/Clerk Terrill commended Village Treasurer/Administrative Assistant Tina Thornburgh and Utility/Deputy Clerk Debbie Garcia and thanked them for their dedication and countless hours of work and contributions that are integral to the Village’s operations.
President Irwin followed up on Mrs. Terrill's comments by offering praise and gratitude to the DPW, Crossing Guard, and Janitorial staff. He also expressed his deep appreciation for the Marcellus Fire and Ambulance personnel, noting that the Village is truly blessed to have their service.
Adjournment
Motion by Markle, supported by Watts, to adjourn at 8:02 p.m. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion passed.
5 Dennis Irwin ill@ge Manager/Clerk Village President
Text extracted from the official record; formatting may differ.