Union Township to save more than $900,000 through 2021

Old sewer bonds in Union Township are about to save the area major money.

The Charter Township of Union Board of Trustees approved the sale of the bonds at its meeting Wednesday.

“We had seven bids and did very well,” said Public Works Coordinator Kim Smith. “This will save the township $937,813 over the life of the bonds.”

Supervisor John Barker said the sale is like refinancing a mortgage. The township refinanced some of its old debt at current interest rates.

The savings will be seen over the life of the bonds, which run from 2010 to 2021.

“We’re paying a lot less interest,” he said.

The deal will be put in place Thursday, Barker said.

“The county was great to work with. They pushed it right through,” Smith said.

The Board unanimously approved the Bamber Road Park Street Light Agreement, which will bring three streetlights on Lincoln Road at the new Isabella County Department of Human Services building, 1475 S. Bamber Road.

“It’s $100 per light, and the cost of the power to run it will be added to the taxes on a yearly basis,” Smith said.

The Board also approved the use of an attorney and appraiser in a property tax appeal filed against the township in the Michigan Tax Tribunal by GFII/Bluegrass, LLC. The fees will cost the township $9,000.

“It’s in the best interest of the township to bring them back,” said Assessor Pat DePriest.

The Board also approved the recommendation of appointing Jennifer Turner to the east Downtown Development Authority board.

“I’m looking to get on board and stepping up to the plate and getting involved in local government,” Turner said.