Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com


The Pinckney Village Council met Monday night and adopted the budget for the coming year.

The Village is faced with an operational deficit situation. Council passed a motion to adopt the 25/26 budget, but with the understanding that there will be budget amendments going forward.

President Jeff Buerman said the Village has a $400,000 deficit and they have one year to figure things out because they can’t keep drawing from the general fund as has been done the last few years. He stressed the goal is a balanced budget - saying they have a revenue problem, costs keep going up, and the “budget has been bleeding for years”.

Buerman further stated there will be changes coming, good and bad. He said they are working toward efficiencies but the problem is revenues, not expenditures, and they are also making a lot of changes in the office.

The master plan update was put on hold another year to save money, although it was stated that a smaller study and some minor updates could be done along with a review of zoning and ordinances.

An administrative office manager is going to be hired at a cost of $50,000 for four days per week. Contract negotiations have been ongoing with the police department.

Buerman mentioned a number of items as food for thought to Council moving forward. He talked about a need to streamline services as there’s a lot going on with departments for being a small town such as sewer, water, grounds, building, police, and the office etc. Buerman also expressed a desire to work more with the township to see how they could help each and save money, and also potentially explore annexing businesses that touch the community. He also mentioned a possible police authority and partnering up with Putnam and Unadilla or even Hamburg.

As for potential millage items; Buerman mentioned public safety, the cemetery, and sewer debt.

The sewer fund has a deficit of $46,000 and the water fund $191,00.
Buerman voiced concerns with having roughly $146,000 on the tax rolls for late fees and water payments that weren’t made. He said he’s working with the attorney to see how they can increase interest rates and/or late fee charges as means to encourage people to pay their bills.

Council voted separately to raise cemetery rates/fees. That fund is also running a deficit.

The resident burial plot fee will remain $750. The non-resident fee will increase from $750 to $2,000. It was stated 90% of grave sales are going to people outside the Village and out of the state, and the clerk fields calls daily from people who are from out of town and just shopping around for the lowest price. A lot of communities were also said to be increasing rates. Buerman said they’re running out of property and “this is our cemetery for our residents” – adding their rates are way below those of other communities.

Meanwhile during the meeting, there was some brief disagreement over whether the budget and public hearing notice were legally advertised and in a timely manner. Former Village President Linda Lavey stated it has to be done in a publication of general distribution or it is not legal - asserting that was not done. Buerman responded that he submitted it to The Sun Times and it was posted at the town hall.

A committee is ultimately going to be put together to work on things over the next year.

The budget can be viewed in the meeting packet. That link is provided.