Township Budget Process

                  Budgets and budgeting can be a daunting task for everyone, and the Township Budgets are no exception. Lovells Township is somewhat unique in that we maintain four budgets during the fiscal year running from April 1 to March 31.However they are focused on two different budget planning periods. The General Fund Budget and the Liquor Budget planning period runs from January to March. The budget planning period for the Fire/EMS Budget and Landfill Budget runs from July to September. 

Unfortunately, the budget planning process is a complex set of determining factors. Inflation rates, wage rates, contract services, and best guesses all factor into the development of the four budgets. The planning process constitutes five steps: presentation of initial estimated budgets; official and public discussion on estimated budgets; presentation of Proposed Budgets; Public Hearing on Proposed Budgets; and Township Board final approval of Budgets.

Complicating the budget process are the unknown expenditures that can occur as well as contingency expenses that exceed budget planning. This necessitates a General Fund balance to account for these unknown and unpredictable expenses.

During the Fiscal Year (April 1 to March 31) monthly reports of income, expenditures, and budget balances are presented at each regularly scheduled Township Board Meeting and are available at the Township Hall.

Every Citizen should be concerned with excessive costs of “doing business”. Likewise, every Citizen should be knowledgeable how their financial support funds everyday costs, services, and operation of the Township. To that end, all Citizens are invited to participate in the planning of the Township’s four budgets by attending or commenting during the planning processes. Agendas announcing the steps to implement the budgets are highlighted on the Township website – http://lovellsmi.org.