Museum supporters urge council to place millage question on November ballot; city schedules study-session follow-up

Multiple speakers during the public-comment period urged Holland City Council to allow voters to decide whether to place a museum millage on the November ballot and asked council to hold a study session to present the proposal and financial details.

Linda Falstad, a Holland Museum board member, asked council to consider a study session on July 23 to examine the museum millage proposal, including the financials and how the measure would impact households. "...for most of us, it'd be less than $25 a year per household to preserve this vital community asset," Falstad said, noting the museum's attendance and education programs.

Deb Wake, who previously worked at the Henry Ford Museum and now supports placing the millage on the ballot, told council museums build tourism and community pride and asked that citizens be allowed to vote. "I believe the $25 a year is not a steep cost to ensure the institution for generations to come," Wake said.

Claire Hibor and Fred Johnson (a Hope College history professor) also spoke in favor of placing a millage before voters, describing the museum's educational role and community reach. Johnson noted the museum's collections and programming and said it has attracted speakers and visitors beyond Holland.

City Manager Keith Van Beek said staff was already planning to bring a housing-support policy item to an upcoming study session and that he recommended the museum request be scheduled at a study session as a matter for council consideration. Councilmember Shea confirmed he supported a study-session discussion of the museum proposal next week.

No formal council action to place a millage on the ballot was taken at the meeting; supporters asked that council schedule a study session to present full financial details and allow public discussion before any ballot decision.