During their annual meeting, the Clearwater Twp. Board proposed and township residents approved a $520,000 levy for 2025. With no increase, the number reflects the 2024 levy and is comprised of $85,000 for town revenue, $330,000 for the road and bridge fund, and $105,000 for the fire fund.

Road Update

Attendees were provided an update on road and bridge expenses for 2024 and 2025, potential road projects, and a possible equipment purchase of a tractor for ditch mowing and street sweeping.

Along with regular road expenses, re-chipping 140th, Huber Ave. and 153rd, and Hart are planned, as well as a culvert replacement on 160th, in slope work on 150th between Co. Rd. 7 and Grover, and installation of guard rail at the Clearwater River Bridge per county inspection.

Possible road projects include Grover and 155th toward the bridge, which has been submitted to the state for grant funds. Possible chip seal projects include 148th Street from Hwy. 24 east to Huber and north to connect with the current chip seal, 150th from Huber to Co. Rd. 7, and 150th from Co. Rd. 7 to Grover. 

Prior to 150th’s potential chip sealing, extensive work will need to be completed that includes widening the road, matting, and changing the Grove and 150th intersection.

Fire Dept.

The Clearwater Fire Dept. presented its five-year call history. There were 344 total calls in 2023, a slight decrease from the previous year’s number of 373. Clearwater Twp.’s portion of the calls was 71, Lynden Twp.’s was 70, and the remaining 203 were for the City of Clearwater.

Over the five years, 26.25% of the calls were for Clearwater Twp., 23.34% were for Lynden, and 50.41% were for the City of Clearwater.

Clearwater Twp.’s 2023 calls included 31 medical, 10 motor vehicle accidents, three structural fires, two motor vehicle fires, three brush fires, two grass fires, and one search and rescue.

The City of Clearwater is estimating Clearwater Twp.’s share of the 2023 fire budget to be $105,270, with a potential 5-10% increase for 2024.