Grosse Ile Township trustees used an Oct. 8 study session to lay out priorities for the next three years, frontloading bridge operations, a multi‑year budgeting process and a formal wage‑scale study while also discussing public‑safety staffing, ordinance enforcement and e‑bike safety.

The board’s discussion centered on practical steps to implement several goals, including continuing work to stabilize toll‑bridge operations, commissioning a wage scale and entry‑audit, evaluating the viability of paramedic‑level ambulance service and exploring ordinance staffing increases and public engagement on enforcement. Trustees assigned follow‑up work and asked staff to return with more detailed implementation plans.

The study session gave the board a chance to consolidate goals that trustees described as financial planning, future projects and current operations. Supervisor (name not specified) opened the meeting by saying the session was meant to set “goals and objectives and what we'd like to see the township... go” over the board’s next three years.

“A lot of the list is about resources, future planning and current operations,” Trustee Jamieson said, identifying workforce recruitment and retention as a top priority: “My number 1 priority is improving opportunities for younger families… to retain and attract young families with school‑aged children.” Jamieson also urged the board to consider modernizing emergency medical response, including “an advanced life saving or paramedic rig here in Grosse Ile,” either provided by the township or under contract.

Trustees repeatedly identified public safety staffing and compensation as a near‑term concern. Trustee Margaret pressed for a formal wage scale and improved pay for command staff at the police department, saying township employees “are a valuable resource” and the board should “start looking into a more respectful way to address… their pay scale.” Trustee Margaret and other trustees said the board is moving forward with a compensation study and that interviews for a wage‑study firm will occur at an upcoming meeting.

Toll bridge operations and related software problems dominated early conversation. Supervisor (name not specified) said getting the toll bridge running was the board’s initial priority when this term began and described “hiccups in the software” that consumed staff time. The group said the bridge commission is now in place and staff have made operational progress; Supervisor (name not specified) said the goal is to make the bridge “work correctly, with the revenue that we have” and avoid returning to taxpayers for additional funds.

Board members asked for clearer staffing and enforcement for the ordinance department. Trustees said the township presently relies on a single part‑time ordinance officer and her assistant and asked staff to evaluate adding a seasonal part‑time position (Trustees discussed a possible 20‑hour‑per‑week role during May–September). The board agreed public outreach would be helpful: Supervisor (name not specified) asked for a public forum to take the temperature of residents on enforcement priorities.

E‑bike safety on the township’s multiuse paths was another topic. Supervisor (name not specified) told the board she had tasked the Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) to study an e‑bike ordinance after reporting “out of control” behavior and a out‑of‑town crash involving a child on a scooter. BPAC members and staff (Nichole and Alan were named as participants in BPAC work) will return with recommendations; the supervisor said she would prefer a public hearing before any ordinance is finalized.

Administration briefed trustees on ClearGov, the budgeting and transparency software the township adopted earlier this year. Staff said ClearGov’s basic module is in use and that personnel and capital‑planning modules could be added; staff asked the board when it would like a vendor presentation. Trustee Bill and other trustees said ClearGov will help formalize the multi‑year budget and department planning trustees had requested.

Finance and process questions also arose. Trustees discussed the check‑signing process and the possibility of expanding ACH payments for recurring bills; staff said no check is mailed until after the board approves the consent agenda and that some standard obligations (employer HSA contributions, pension payments to MERS) are already paid by ACH. Administration said it will provide pricing and a recommended roll‑out for additional ClearGov modules and continue work on the entry audit and compensation study already out for RFP.

Board direction and next steps included assigning Jamieson and Margaret to collaborate on a consolidated “road map” document that groups priorities under finances, future planning and current operations; staff and trustees agreed to keep the document living on Teams or OneNote and to report progress to residents via the township newsletter.

Two staff members — Derek (administrator) and Teresa (finance/administration staff) — addressed the board and said administration will support implementation and return with details, schedules and cost estimates where appropriate. Staff thanked bridge operations manager Maureen and others for work on the toll bridge transition and told trustees they are tracking outstanding reporting requirements needed for the township’s audit.

The session closed with a procedural motion to adjourn; the motion carried on a voice vote.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: Adjourn meeting. Outcome: Approved by voice vote; exact count not specified.