SaultMIPublic hearings on the proposed 2015-16 Fiscal Year budget are set to go in two weeks.  On May 18th, the Sault, Michigan City Commission will set the stage for seperate public hearings on the tax levy, water and sewer levy, a fee schedule and the general appropriation act.  The proposed budget highlights maintaining the millage for both charter operations and waste collection, with increases in the millage for the police/fire pension fund and a 3 percent jump in water and sewer rates.  It also includes 110 thousand dollars appropriated for the city’s Economic Development Corporation and a savings of 53 thousand dollars through budget corrections within the General Fund. Prior to approval, Commissioner Don Gerrie spoke up.  He specifically mentioned the 220 thousand dollars going into the Fund Balance, despite continued declines in both revenue sharing from the state and in taxable value — the latter expected to fall another 1.1 percent from last year.  Gerrie also talked about the proposed 3 percent hike in water and sewer rates.  He attempted to explain those increases, saying the money would have to cover the cost of main breaks and the debt related to years of Combined Sewer Overflow construction.

A planned update for an area of land between Moloney’s Alley and Ridge Street will get a letter of support from the Sault, Michigan City Commission. The letter would specifically support an application to the Michigan Municipal League for a 20 thousand dollar matching PlacePlans mini-grant for a rejuvenation project.  Downtown Development Authority Director Justin Knepper made a presentation on Monday of what the four acres of subject property could look like in the future.  He mentioned the various possible uses in that area from outdoor concerts to ice-skating.  An application for funding from the Michigan Municipal League follows a grant for the owner Clairmont Trucking building from the authority last summer — the start of a phasing process.  The MML grant for 20 thousand dollars would go to allow public parking in the Clairmont lot and improve landscaping around that area.  The city’s matching share would consist of money from the downtown signage capital fund project and the parking fund’s Capital Maintenance Line item. 

A boulder near the Sherman Park Pavilion is about to be marked with a bronze plaque.  The plaque was approved by the City Commission on Monday night and commemorates former Sault, Michigan City Manager Henry Sherman — the park was named after him more than 80 years ago.  The idea was received by the board from Sherman’s great grandson Dan and reviewed last week.   Any costs related to the fabrication, mounting and placement of the marker will be a gift, courtesy of the Sherman family.