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Local News

Ballot language approved for second millage try by Charlton Park

The Barry County Board of Commissioners Aug. 16  approved amended ballot language for a second try for operating millage by Charlton Park. Last week, the park board asked for .035 mills for seven years for the November election ballot. Commissioners instead approved splitting the proposal in two, one for renewal of 0.2254 mills and the other for new additional millage of 0.2146 mills, both for seven years.

 

The minor changes that amended the proposals were unanimously approved to go on the November ballot: renewal of 0.2253 mills (instead of 0.2254)  and new, additional 0.1247 mills (instead of 0.1246), both for seven years.

 

The renewal would bring in $449,416 the first year; the new millage, $248,744 the first year. The small millage changes did not alter the financial projections. If voters approve both proposals, the park would have 0.35 mills, which is equal to its second request.

Voters turned down the park’s board original request for 0.3750 mills for 10 years by 4,910 to 4,435 in the Aug. 2 election. //

 

Explaining the splitting of the proposals last week, commissioners said the voters deserved a choice and also, if the single ballot proposal was rejected, that would leave the park without any millage support at all. It is unclear what would happen then. Commissioner Craig Stolsonburg said with no millage going to the park, “the county would get it.”

 

Park Director Dan Patton said that they would then seek operating funds from three county accounts: the 100 percent tax payment, building rehab and technology funds. He also did not rule out a special election that the park would have to fund.

 

Staff cuts would have to be made and with ever rising operating expenses, they couldn’t maintain the historic buildings and infrastructure without the increase in millage, Patton said.

Payroll for the park is 56 percent of its budget and the only increase would be two part-time positions for a more dependable staff, he said.  “Everyone agrees the current millage rate is not sustainable in the long run.”

 

Park board President Rick Moore said he thought the millage failed because they didn’t get their message out to the public, the low turnout in the primary election, and the position of the request on the ballot where many voters did not see it. A committee is now being formed to provide information on the need for the millage. Moore stressed that if passed, the cost for taxpayers would be $17 to $18 a year, “a very small price to pay for what you’re getting.”

 

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