Cascade Township approves not‑to‑exceed equipment budget for parks after debate over cost and maintenance

Cascade Charter Township trustees voted Jan. 8 to approve a not‑to‑exceed equipment budget for parks and facilities after a lengthy discussion about costs, maintenance and future programming.

Manager Smith introduced the request, saying the list covers capitalized equipment (not smaller tools) needed across township parks. Director Zwick and Dan, a parks and facilities staff member, described an assessment of current assets and argued buying maintenance equipment would allow the township to improve turf and fields and eventually reduce the cost of any larger rec‑park renovation.

"If it goes out to bid, it will still come back before this board for approval," Director Zwick said, describing the request as an overall snapshot and a request for a budget amendment to a not‑to‑exceed amount.

Trustees pressed for details on procurement and cost control. One trustee questioned whether a $25,000 striping machine in the proposal was necessary when neighboring townships use stripers costing less than $10,000. Dan said the more expensive painter would reduce long‑term contract costs and that contracting out weekly striping would cost about $650 per week in his example.

"If you do the math, long term ... it's more advantageous for us to get the painter," Dan said.

Parks coordinator Sydney Albert provided a rental‑revenue estimate that trustees said factored into the discussion: her analysis showed that charging about $25 an hour per field for recorded field use could have produced roughly $40,000 in rental revenue for the period analyzed.

Some trustees opposed or abstained on the purchase because they believed similar work could be done for about 20% less by buying lower‑cost equipment or contracting differently. "I voted opposed to it because of the cost," one trustee said, adding she believed the work could be accomplished for less.

Supporters said the parks department is newly organized and advocated for equipment to begin correcting years of deferred maintenance. "These are ballpark figures," Manager Smith said, "but this paints a good picture as we move forward." Several board members emphasized that purchases exceeding bid thresholds would be competitively bid and return to the board for approval.

Trustee Shipley moved to approve the purchase as stated in the packet; the motion was seconded and the board carried the motion.

Next steps: staff will proceed with procurement under township purchasing policies and bring quotes back to the board where required before final purchases.