Village of Howard City

The council meeting included reports from code enforcement and updates regarding restroom facilities at the ball field and local ditching projects. Decisions were made to purchase a skid unit for the fire department and new playground equipment for Ensley Park. The council approved moving forward with the Depot renovation project, authorized payment for a replacement welcome sign deductible, and elected to remove the analog phone system for the fire department in favor of new options. Additionally, administrative matters were discussed regarding the extension of the Uniti agreement and upcoming park events.

The council meeting addressed several operational and community matters. Key topics included the approval of a Food Truck Rally event with specific guidelines for vendors, the adoption of an 80/20 employee health care resolution, and the authorization of administrative forms for BS&A Enterprise. The council transitioned management of the village's social media accounts to administrative staff and approved a plant sale for the Tri County Soccer organization. Financial and infrastructure approvals covered 2026 county road improvements, utility billing rate increases for the CWSRF project, equipment and subscription purchases from Silversmith, and the procurement of iPads for council use. Additionally, reports were provided regarding the Depot bidding process, the construction timeline for the Ensley Park restrooms, and updates on village infrastructure inquiries.

The council addressed several items, including the approval of Resolution 2026-02 regarding the Tax Roll and Resolution 2026-03 for the CWSRF Notice of Intent. Event applications were approved for Redemption Farms, the Harvest Festival, Tri County Community Church, Pizza Café Open Mic Nights, and the Downtown Edgerton 4th of July Celebration. Financial actions included updating bank account signers, approving the payment of bills, and authorizing a change request for the Ensley Park restroom remodel. Furthermore, the council approved a bid for GIS software and hardware, accepted a bench donation, and reviewed the banner proof for the USA 250 Years celebration. Administrative discussions included a PILOT payment rate agreement and transition staffing updates.

The council addressed several administrative and operational items, including the approval of Resolution 2026-02 regarding the computerized tax roll database and Resolution 2026-03 for the CWSRF Notice of Intent. Various event applications were approved, including those for the Redemption Farms Ensley Park event, the Harvest Festival, the Tri County Community Church event, the Pizza Café Open Mic Nights, and the Downtown Edgerton 4th of July Celebration, with specific conditions established for the Harvest Festival logistics. The council also authorized updates to village bank account signers, approved a GIS software bid from Silversmith Data, authorized a restroom remodel project at Ensley Park, and accepted a bench donation from the Gleaners organization. Additionally, the council discussed the PILOT payment rate with the Montcalm County Housing Commission and reviewed financial reports and outstanding bills.

The council approved the 2025-2026 Amended Budget and the 2026-2027 Proposed Budget following a public hearing. Additionally, the council approved the General Appropriations Act for the upcoming fiscal year, authorized the payment of bills, and entered into a contract for the replacement of a traffic light. Future infrastructure projects were discussed, including park bathroom renovations, grant-funded projects, fire hydrant replacements, and equipment purchases. The council also addressed plans for celebrating the Nation's 250th Anniversary.