Sumpter board receives audit of the financial report fiscal year-end

At the regular Aug. 26 meeting of the Sumpter Township Board of Trustees, the board heard a long financial presentation of the audit financial report fiscal year end of March 31, 2025.
They heard that the report was rated the highest rating of unmodified opinion by their auditors.
Property tax revenue was up this year by 6.3% compared to last year. This was a taxable value increase not a millage increase.
Interest income this year was almost doubled from $300,000 to nearly $600,000.
Landfill revenues went down 5%.
Pulled building permits were down 14% from last year.
Added $391,000 to the general fund, $198,000 under budget.
Capital improvements were $870,000 this year.
No new debt this year.
Water and sewer operation income was $341,000 with cash flow of $65,000, so a break even over last year.
Sumpter Township paid down $580,000 in debt.
“Another great result for Sumpter on the audit,” said trustee Matthew Oddy, “This is three years in a row we received the unmodified results.”
The board heard from the podium Mary Herring praise board members for their fiscal responsibly about the audit she just heard.
She continued by saying that the board meetings that started with a prayer were “very good”.
She then asked the board to have “an open mind, open ears, and an open heart every time a person comes to the podium. Don’t be pre-judgmental about their concerns. You owe it to the constituents to hear their concerns and issues they might have, and to be kind and understanding and to be a good listener, she said.
“You owe it to them to be interested about their concerns they may have. Be kind and understanding; be good listeners.
“Walk away with more understanding in a kind and generous way. Don’t pre-judge them as trouble makers. They are just asking for your help and consideration.
“Don’t speak harshly behind their backs. They are not to be demeaned for their constructive criticism and don’t dismiss them.”
And then supervisor Tim Bowman dismissed her for going over three minutes.
Leroy Page wanted to know why there wasn’t more discussion about the $10,000 raises the board gave themselves. The board did not comment
They heard from Nicole VanAssche, of parks and rec. She thanked the board for its support and noted the time the board spent in the township at large was generous. Supervisor Bowman applauded.
Randall Miller stated “You are our representatives not our bosses.” He complained about not being able to contact the board. He was disappointed in the board’s response to the residents. Supervisor Bowman took this as a personal attack and dismissed him because he will not stand for criticism of the board.
Xeola Walker stated the three minutes limit for comment was not in the bylaws and she should be allowed to take as long as she wants to get her point across. She accused the board of “making it up as they went along.” She said her taxes paid for part of the $10,000 raises and she should have the right to say what she wanted at the podium.
In other business at the one hour, 30-minute meeting on Aug. 26, the board:
• Heard that the recycle center hours were expanded on Sept. 2 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the week and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday;
• Heard treasurer Patterson inform the board that the finance report in the board’s packet is incorrect and he brought paper copies of the correct report for the board;
• Approved hosting the Conference of Western Wayne (CWW) on May 8, 2026. It will start at 9:30 in the Sumpter Township board room;
•Approved paying the North Branch Big Swan Creek Intercounty Drain “estimated total assessment” of $501,583.30. The amount was determined by assessing the property owned by the township that benefited from the drain cleanout;
• Approved the meet and greet for parks and recreation is changed to Oct. 24 under the pavilion at the fairgrounds, 7-10 p.m. The budget for this event is not to exceed $1,500 paid out of P&R funds. The event will be called the October Jam Meet and Greet
•Approved purchasing PSTrax inventory management program for the fire department for $2,850 per year plus the initial one-time setup fee of $750;
• Approved posting request for proposals for the Martinsville Pump Station repair; and
• Approved sending to the planning commission a request to review the solar ordinances.