MARQUETTE — Marquette Township will hold a special meeting at 4 p.m. today to discuss the “direction for the position of township manager.”

At the Marquette Township Board’s regular meeting held Tuesday, Marquette Township Supervisor Lyn Durant and township Clerk Randy Ritari shared the progress that had been made so far in negotiating a contract with township manager candidate Thomas Markus, but cautioned that it was only preliminary.

Township officials declined to comment this morning on whether contract talks with Markus are still ongoing.

During the Tuesday meeting, the board, by consensus, opted to allow the subcommittee to continue contract talks with Markus and set a special meeting once the elements of the pact have been solidified.

During a May 19 meeting, the board voted unanimously to send a contract offer to Markus, who was previously the city manager for Lawrence, Kansas.

Durant and Ritari were appointed to handle the negotiations.

However, some board members on Tuesday expressed concern about Markus’ counter-offer, which they called “excessive.”

Durant said that the township subcommittee had spoken to Markus about contract terms on Monday and expected to hear a new offer in the next few days.

Although the meeting became heated at times, all board members ultimately said Tuesday they were in favor of continuing to negotiate.

Trustee Pete LaRue said he hoped the board could come to an agreement with Markus.

“I really think he would be good for the township,” LaRue said. “I really want him to come. I just hope we can afford him.”

Markus would replace current Marquette Township Manager Randy Girard, who plans to retire this year.

The public can participate in the virtual meeting by emailing questions or public comment to rritari@marquettetownship.org 15 minutes prior to the meeting or during the meeting.

To join today’s special meeting on the web, go to www.us02web.zoom.us/j/87071774189 the meeting ID is 870 717 741 89. To join the meeting via phone, call 1-312-626-6799 and key in 87071774189# when prompted for the meeting ID.

The board also voted unanimously Tuesday to cancel two of the township’s summer events, the Car Show and Cruise, originally scheduled for June 20, and the Marquette Township Community Day, which had been scheduled for Aug. 1 at Lions Field.

The Christmas tree lighting is still scheduled for Nov. 24.

Board members cited COVID-19 restrictions and the potential of disease outbreak, as well as projected budget impacts of the virus and pending tax tribunal cases, as reasons to cancel the annual events.

Girard predicted that a drop in state revenue sharing due to COVID-19 concerns and state restrictions would impact the township’s 2020 budget by up to $25,000 and the 2021 budget could be impacted by up to $38,000.