Grosse Ile recreation commission approves $1.387 million FY2025–26 budget

The Grosse Ile Township Community Recreation Commission voted to recommend the recreation department—s $1,387,000 budget for fiscal year 2025——26, with commissioners saying the township board may still make further modifications.

Recreation Director Zaid presented the budget during the meeting, walking commissioners through major funds and projected revenues. "So this week, we went through our budget meetings. We've been compiling the budget for the 20 25, 26 fiscal year," Zaid said, then outlined key revenue sources including a millage contribution of about $661,000 and earned revenue from golf, marina, pool and program fees.

Why it matters: the commission reviews and recommends the recreation budget to the township board and flagged several items that could affect services and capital work. Commissioners pressed for clearer line-item detail, copies of historical revenue trends and notes about grant dependencies before the township finalizes the plan.

Major items and clarifications - Total proposed recreation budget: $1,387,000. Millage support: roughly $661,000. Both figures were presented by Zaid during the presentation. - Centennial Farm: staff corrected a prior accounting issue so dog-park fees now appear in the Centennial Farm fund rather than the general fund. - Pool and capital needs: Zaid said the department was awarded a $552,000 Wayne County grant to update the pool house to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, but added the township is waiting for HUD to release federal funding. "We should still be receiving this money," he said, and staff do not plan to do the work during the summer pool season. - Marina and interfund loan: the marina fund will make a final principal payment on an interfund loan this year ($15,600), ending that debt service line. - Island Fest and special events: the commission budgeted for a return to fireworks this year at an estimated $20,000, reversing last year—s $15,000 drone show budget. - Van service: staff said SMART transit funding had not been received for roughly a year; Zaid said SMART acknowledges the owed funds and once corrected a quarterly payment line (about $12,000 annually) will increase that revenue line. - Credit-card processing: the commission was told the department has absorbed card-processing fees historically; starting Aug. 1 the department will pass a 2.5% processing fee to customers.

Commission discussion and review Commissioners asked for multi-year revenue and expense comparisons and copies of the full spreadsheet; Zaid agreed to email copies to commissioners. Commissioners also discussed methodologies for projecting revenues (price increases at the marina and golf course, higher part-time wages) and asked staff to provide supporting data for larger capital needs that will likely require grant funding (for example, a new golf-course sprinkler system estimated in the high five figures).

Vote and formal action Commissioner [mover not specified in the public transcript] moved that "the community recreation commission approves the 20 25, 20 26 fiscal year budget with the caveat that the township board may still make further modifications." The motion was seconded. Roll call votes recorded in the transcript were: Keith —Yes, Marissa —Yes, Stacy —Yes, Wendy —Yes, Jamieson —Aye. The motion passed and the commission forwarded the budget recommendation to the township board for final action.

Next steps Zaid will provide commissioners with full budget spreadsheets and supporting historical data by email. The township board will consider possible changes before the department—s fiscal year begins April 1, per meeting remarks.

Ending Commission leadership said the commission—s role is advisory and that the township board may still alter the proposal; commissioners encouraged staff to supply additional documentation to support budget assumptions.