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Open-space committee flags tree-removal overrun; discusses options including a combined millage
Summary
Committee reported year-to-date spending of $31,713.08 against a $40,500 FY2025-26 budget, said tree removal and trail maintenance have driven spending to 78.3% of budget and discussed a possible combined maintenance/acquisition millage to shore up funds.
The Grosse Ile Greenways Open Space Committee reviewed its fiscal-year 2025-26 numbers and discussed whether a future millage would be needed to sustain maintenance and acquisition priorities.
Committee materials show an amended FY2025-26 budget of $40,500 and year-to-date expenditures of $31,713.08, which the chair said represents about 78.3% of the total budget. Members attributed the bulk of spending to tree removal and trail maintenance. The chair said $12,000 was originally budgeted for tree cutting, but the committee has spent about $17,050 so far and expects roughly another $10,000 in bids and anticipated work for additional tree-trimming and hazard removals, placing further pressure on the maintenance fund.
On event costs, the report lists roll-off container charges for the Dump the Junk event and a rise in scrap and tire-disposal costs; one line-item listing for roll-off containers from Priority Waste was described in the meeting as approximately $5,120.50. The committee noted that scrap-metal revenue and occasional credits (from Fritz Enterprises and others) offset some expenses but are not guaranteed.
Committee members reviewed account balances shown in the packet: a checking balance (listed as $7,366 in the materials) and larger invested sums (the MBIA class), and they discussed that the acquisition fund has been reduced to roughly $20,000 after years without renewal of the original acquisition and maintenance millages. The chair said the maintenance millage last collected was in February 2011 and that the acquisition millage has not been renewed in many years.
Because maintenance needs and unexpected tree expenses are increasing, members discussed the feasibility of a future combined millage that would cover both acquisition and maintenance rather than separate dedicated funds. The chair said a combined or multi-year millage would provide flexibility if committee members find a purchase that meets their priorities. Members discussed typical millage terms (three to five years) and the need to coordinate any millage timing with the township manager, supervisor and business manager to meet ballot and campaign timelines.
Ending: Staff agreed to gather more detailed budget reconciliations, confirm revenue postings for scrap-metal credits, and meet with township finance staff to determine the timeline and requirements for a potential millage proposal.
