R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press Residents turned up to observe and speak at the Gladstone City Commission meeting of Monday, March 25, which included a public hearing on the 2024-2025 budget. Behind the dais from left to right are Commissioner Robert Pontius, Commissioner Brad Mantela, Commissioner Judy Akkala, Mayor Joe Thompson, and City Manager Eric Buckman.

GLADSTONE — The crowd that showed up to Monday evening’s Gladstone City Commission regular meeting — a twice-monthly occurrence usually held in chambers empty of citizens, though they are always welcome to attend — feared their taxes were going to skyrocket and that they were not being represented or considered when the city drafted its new budget. By the end of the meeting, concerns were mostly alleviated after commissioners explained that taxes were not set to increase by 30 percent, as an ad placed by the Gladstone Citizens Council in Sunday’s U.P. Action claimed. Only a portion will raise for a time, and those funds legally can only be used for police and fire.

“Gladstone is 25, 26 percent of each dollar paid in property tax. The majority of the rest of it is the Gladstone school system. So we’re only talking about a quarter being increased at all,” explained Commissioner Robert Pontius.

As one citizen who took to the podium pointed out, Gladstone has the lowest millage rate in the Upper Peninsula, but the second-highest school millage.

“30 years ago, in 1994, the tax rate in Gladstone was 16.3 mills. Today it’s 15.4. So we’re actually operating at a lower millage now than we were 30 years ago. …The cost of everything we’re doing has gone up,” said Commissioner Brad Mantela.

Mantela added that while no one likes paying more taxes, it would be a “detriment to this community” if fire protection and public safety were not adequately staffed and provided for. He said the commission’s goal is to make sure that the city remains “in a safe and prosperous position down the road.”

The proposed — still not finalized — tax increase is in line with the State of Michigan’s Police and Fire Protection Act 33 of 1951, which authorizes the collection of fees for emergency services. The city hopes to raise funds for a new fire truck, which is estimated to cost around a million dollars. The current fire truck has been in use since 1996. Another aim is to bring in a school resource officer.

“How many hours are on it? It hardly gets used. Newer is not better. It still pumps water, it still does everything it’s supposed to,” said Jim Rian, owner of Jerry’s Service Center. He also mentioned that older diesel engines are easier to work on.

On city vehicle usage in another area, Rian said that the garbage truck route is currently wasteful and inefficient because it runs back and forth down alleys instead of doing the whole stretch in one run, which would reduce wear and save fuel, time, and money.

Brian Godfrey, president of the Upper Michigan Gun Owners Association, spoke on behalf of people who had addressed concerns to him. He said that many people with low incomes couldn’t afford a tax increase and suggested a community fundraiser to alleviate the cost.

Commissioners stated that the proposed increase would cost homeowners and average of $180 a year — those with greater assets would pay more and those with less valuable properties would pay a smaller amount.

There is an exemption on property taxes for people in poverty, and those who believe they may qualify are urged to inquire at City Hall.

Another question raised by multiple members of the public was whether the City of Gladstone had applied for any grants. The answer was that they sometimes do and are sometimes awarded some, but Pontius, experienced in grantwriting, explained that grants aren’t “free money.” Many require matches or have other strings attached; moreover, applying always requires time and money with no guaranteed return.

Commissioners thanked everyone who showed up and encouraged them to engage further, attend more meetings, and review past agendas and minutes on the city website (gladstonemi.org).

“Please come and find out what it is you have questions about,” said Commissioner Judy Akkala. “You owe it to yourself to become involved. You really do. And when you do that, you can rest assured — as we are — that you’re heading in the right direction for the entire community. That you are going to be feeling safe.”

Though funding for emergency services was the major point of contention during the hearing for the upcoming budget, no one voiced any issues when lifesaving awards were presented to Public Safety Officer Charity Potier and Volunteer Firefighter Jayson Frandle for their actions in an ice rescue that reportedly saved two lives on Jan. 28, nor when the commission voted to increase the pay for volunteer firefighters and reimburse them for training.

Also at the meeting:

— Rob Spreitzer from the Water Department briefly discussed the need for updates at the treatment plant and the intent to apply for federal financial assistance through the USDA Rural Development office. The Commission gave approval for the application and scheduled a public hearing for April 22.

— Charles and Deanna Kang, owners of Gladstone Storage, presented photographs of a clogged French drain on their property and asked the city to step in. They also stated that the public turnaround on North 10th Street is blocked by vehicles and equipment, leading to people driving on the Kangs’ property.

— After falling behind with the existing geographic information system, also known as “GIS,” due to short staffing, the commission reviewed a proposal from Colligo GIS, an arm of Coleman Engineering, and ultimately decided to enter into a contract with them. Barry Lund explained that the new system could be run alongside existing industry standard ArcGIS, and that Gladstone could always revert to ArcGIS if things don’t work out with Colligo.