How are you qualified to serve Cascade Township as an elected official?

With extensive background and experience in township government and business, I have worked to keep Cascade strong and fiscally sound.  I support a fiscally sound form of Township Government that consistently provides for a balanced budget and exemplary external audits. I have served the township in many capacities and have a deep understanding of township needs as well as the concerns of residents, including low taxes.  Cascade has one of the lowest operating millages in West Michigan for a community our size, yet one of the highest quality services, including fire and police protection, parks, road quality, and economic development.

I have served in the following areas for Cascade:

• 16 Year Township Trustee, 2004 – present
• Served as Trustee Representative to the Planning Commission for 4 years
• Serves on Township Personnel Committee
• Serves on and Chairs the Township Finance Committee
• 9 Year Member (3 as Chairman) – Cascade Township Planning Commission
• 6 Year Member (3 as Chairman) – Cascade Township Zoning Board

What have you accomplished for Cascade?

As Chair of the Finance Committee, I have been at the forefront (along with Treasurer Peirce) in ensuring that Cascade has a balanced budget. Moreover, Cascade has achieved a Standard and Poor’s bond rating of AAA, the highest of any community in the state of Michigan.  In addition, Cascade has received high-quality marks from external auditors, which has been another objective of the Finance Committee.

Perhaps one of biggest (yet little known) accomplishments has been to address a pension liability that was growing into the millions of dollars. Unfunded pension liabilities are a huge burden for many municipalities, and it was a growing (but not well-known) concern for Cascade the past 20 years.  However, the Finance Committee was insistent that Cascade could no longer kick this can down the road.  We worked diligently and creatively for two years to reduce or eliminate most long-term pension liabilities, yet also meet township employee needs by moving to self-funded retirement plans with matching contributions from the township.  This eliminated a future multi-million problem and is another reason for Cascade’s high financial rating.

In addition to supporting a fiscally sound form of Township Government, I have:

• supported maintaining high quality Fire and Police protection for all Township citizens
• supported maintaining our pathway system as well as preservation of open space and parks
• supported saving tax-payer money AND meeting township needs by purchasing an existing building for township offices
• authorized projects to improve commercial viability of 28^th street and Cascade commercial areas
• approved and adopted new social media approaches for communicating with residents
• worked extensively with Manager Swayze to create annual budgets that support and drive township projects, yet have careful evaluation of all expenses

I have made it a goal for Cascade to manage resources effectively, stay out of debt, borrow only when it makes sense, plan and save for future needs, and enhance Cascade as being the best community for businesses and residents.

What is your personal background?

I have lived in Cascade my entire life, graduating from Forest Hills Schools and Western Michigan University.  I have been married to Carlee C. Koessel for 48 years (MT ASCP).  We have two children, Brian (JD MSU College of Law) United States Department of Defense, and Dr. Kimberly (Psychologist) Major US Army Reserves (Deployed  Afghanistan 2012-2013).  I am Senior Vice President/ Director of Premier Banking/Lake Michigan Credit Union.

I have a passion for Cascade and for sound and smart government.