PLATTE TOWNSHIP
11935 FOWLER ROAD
HONOR, MICHIGN 49640
ANNUAL MEETING
BUDGET MEETING FY 2026-2027
MARCH 21, 2026
12 P.M.
The Annual Meeting was called to order by Supervisor Solem at 12:00 p.m. and followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Supervisor Solem introduced the elected board, and the appointed board and commission members- Clerk Alison Michalak, Trustee Dan Haswell, Treasurer Cindy Gottschalk, Trustee Robb Bollenberg.
Public Present – 8 guests: Art Jeannot, Betsy Coffia, Tim Markey, Troy Hinds, Jim Bowers, Kyle Rosa, Robb Scott, Rebecca Hubers. 21 residents: Molly Franks, Ethan Solem, Ray Franks, Leon Schmidt, Jeanne Strathman, Randy Marcos, Bernadette Marcos, Matt Wieber, Paula Figura, Marilyn Wiebner, John Fekete, Linda Gottschalk, Germaine Schmidt, Heather Hollick, Colin Bohash, Scott Vannorwick, Bob Michalak, Lisa Pyne, Greg Brice, .
Supervisor Solem welcomed the guests in attendance. They included:
County Commissioner Art Jeannot
State Representative Betsy Coffia
Sheriff Kyle Rosa
Fire Chief Tim Markey
Emergency Manager- Rebecca Hubers
Benzie Bus- Rob Scott
Road Commission Manager- Troy Hinds / BCRC commission member
The minutes from the 2025 Annual Meeting were read by Clerk Michalak. A motion was made by Gottschalk, support by Michalak to accept the 2025 Annual meeting minutes as read; All ayes; motion carried.
PUBLIC INPUT
Scott Vannorwick – shared information about federal legislation for the federal government take over control of cell tower placement from local government. Urges public to contact federal legislators to voice concerns over legislation. Also expressed concerns with data centers and dangers associated with them.
Lisa Pyne – Encourages board to do another joint meeting with Benzonia Township regarding budget for West Benzie Joint Planning Commission following March 11th meeting. Encourages board to have meeting to approve an hourly rate for zoning administrator/enforcement.
SUPERVISOR REPORT:
Supervisor Solem reported the following: Ironman will take place on September 20th, 2026. Past director has moved to new location, new director to be assigned but supervisor has contact at main organization. Township will undergo required bi-annual audit this year. Township has budgeted to 2 brines for summer, and there will be overlay paving on guardrail section of Fowler Road. New assessor for township, David Yack, who is unable to make it. See board if resident would like to contact him. Township welcomes application for election inspectors, pay is $15/hour and includes training. Contact Clerk if interested. Gubernatorial election this year (primary in August, general in November), and will be participating in joint early voting with Lake Township. No clean-up day this year, but will be in June 2027. If you want to be on the email list or haven’t been receiving emails, please contact Clerk.
GUESTS
State Representative Betsy Coffia – Provided updates to residents. Legislature is heading into budget season. Working on continuing universal lunch and breakfast for kids in next budget. Will also be working on local bus funding in budget. Also working on state reimbursement for early voting. Addressed AI data centers and shared opposition for tax breaks for data centers, though bill did pass. Recommends to local communities to use a moratorium and put into zoning rules that protect community. Shared efforts to advocate for kinship care funding in budget. Working with Senator Damoose on bill to increase childcare opportunities by codifying microcenters to remove red tape.
County Commissioner Art Jeannot – Acknowledged work that state rep, township board, county employees and elected leaders do for community. County commissioners authorized a reset millage. Current millage has not been keeping up with inflation. This has led to county not being able to attract right talent and to deferred upkeep on county buildings and assets. Led to more special millages to cover shortfalls for certain elements. County administrator will attend township meeting in April to provide more information on millage initiatives that will be on August ballot.
Fire Chief Tim Markey- Printed reports available with township. Homestead Township FD had almost 1 run per day last year. As of start of this year, are at 83 runs already. Homestead Township Board meeting earlier this year authorized review of fire department building and will be looking at grants to cover expected addition. Have 10 firefighters on staff, notes retirement of some and replacement with younger staff. May 3rd and May 31st annual pancake fundraiser (moved from March).
Sheriff Kyle Rosa – Thanked Road commission for work on recent winter storm. Provided printed hand out with year end review. Has a few openings at Sherrif’s office: road patrol/mental health responder; corrections officer position. Continuing 24 hour road patrol service. Jail millage will be up for renewal this year – no increase in millage rate, millage will last for 4 years and covers operation of jail. Just completed replacement of in-car cameras and body cameras.
Troy Hinds, Benzie County Road Commission – Provided recap of recent snow storm and efforts. Crew put in about 800 hours in two days. Honor received 26 inches in storm, about one foot more in Lake Ann and Crystal Lake. Provided snow total for this winter 156.5 inches. Spending $2.5 mil on road projects this year. US31 will have big detour from Reynolds Road up to Cherry Growers in Grand Traverse. Using same brine contractor this year as last. Provided update on new facility – after failure of millage in last August, but with fuel tax change from state and other state tax changes, will be able to fund now itself. If residents have questions about how building is being funded, please contact the road commission. Have selected architecture firm, and have selected construction manager to oversee project. Will have finalized drawings done by April, and hoping to break ground in October. Hoping to be in new facility by October/November of 2027. Information and stats can be found on website and Facebook, including list of planned road projects for this year.
Robb Scott, Benzie Bus – Solid year with bus. Operating at capacity: 61 employees, 45 of which are drivers (full or part time). Growth continues in number of rides. At any given time has 25 routes. Last year was highest ridership in since 2007. Awarded Dept. of Transportation grant to construct new parking facility. Health rides expanded last October to operate 5 days a week and increased number of vehicles used for that. Ridership for that program has increased from that. Beginning in Oct. of 2027 hoping to expand services to downstate medical facilities.
Emergency Manager Rebecca Hubers – Only getting 8% from FEMA for services – that is across the board in Michigan. Funding difference will be made up from county general fund which make impact services. Benzie Central Dispatch was very important during recent storm selectand helped coordinate with road commission. Benzie County did not declare state of emergency with recent storm – as we were lucky compared with other counties. Smart911 information cards available at the hall. Will be promoting ability to sign-up for alerts from Benzie County through new service (www.benzieco.gov/alert).
Public Input
Colin Bohash – thanked neighbors for their help with snow removal so he could get to
Supervisor Solem recessed the meeting at 1:25 p.m.
Supervisor Solem resumed the meeting at 2:03 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING-
BUDGET AND TRUTH IN TAXATION
Supervisor Solem opened the Budget and Truth in Taxation meeting at 2:03 p.m. Clerk read minutes from February 3, 2026 budget workshop meeting and March 11, 2026 joint meeting with Benzonia Township WBJPC meetings. A MOTION by Haswell, support by Solem to accept minutes from February 3 meeting; motion carried all ayes. A Motion by Haswell, support by Bollenberg to accept minutes from March 11th meeting; motion carried all ayes.
Bollenberg asked about ADA compliance with website. Leon Schmidt, township webmaster, shared recent updates.
Budget for fiscal year 2026-2027: All members reviewed and discussed the proposed budget with the public in attendance.
A MOTION by Gottschalk, supported by Michalak to accept salary recommendation as presented. Motion carried, all aye.
A MOTION by Haswell to accept the proposed Platte Township’s 2026-2027 budget as presented,support by Bollenberg; motion carried, all ayes, voice vote.
BOARD COMMENTS
Haswell talked about zoning minimums and impact of large minimums on township revenue.
PUBLIC INPUT
Colin Bohash – Suggested residents fill out zoning survey and oppose data centers.
Ray Franks – Did quick math on difference between budget revenues and expenses, and what it would cost per parcel to reach stability.
Matt Weiber – Reminded residents of master plan rewrite from two years prior. WBJPC ongoing with zoning ordinance rewrite taking into account creative zoning options to solve revenue shortfall/zoning minimums. Encourage residents to complete survey by end of March.
Colin Bahash – Shared that you can go back to into zoning survey if you leave it.
Leon Schmidt – Asked about millage amounts.
Art Jeannot – Asked Matt Weiber, WBJPC chair, about whether spill over issues from Benzonia township impact ability of WBJPC to take care of Platte township matters. Weiber shared perspective that benefits outweigh distractions in what joint planning affords Platte Township to achieve.
A MOTION by Michalak, Support by Solem to tax at the maximum rate as by allowed by the State of Michigan as authorized by the Headlee amendment (L-4029); All ayes, motion carried.
A motion was made by Haswell to adjourn at with support from Bollenberg. All ayes; motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 2:50 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by,
Alison Michalak
March 24, 2026