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Parks committee flags 2025 shortfalls, eyes funding for final bike-trail phases

Charlevoix County Parks Committee · March 1, 2026

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Summary

Committee members reported a 2025 budget shortfall, said they expect commissioners to approve Phases 4 and 5 of the Charlevoix County bike trail, and discussed splitting a proposed Wade Trim contract into design and construction phases to manage costs.

The Charlevoix County Parks Committee on Aug. 18 recorded a 2025 budget deficit and discussed plans to seek funding for the final phases of the county bike trail.

Becki King, reporting the committee’s financial status, said the parks budget is facing deficits for 2025 and that Phases 4 and 5 of the bike trail have not proceeded, which affects expenditure timing. She told the committee the department anticipates about $15,000 in additional revenue from campsites at Whiting Park now that sites have been upgraded with electricity and said the committee is hoping for General Fund assistance for the remaining trail work.

Committee members reviewed work remaining on Phase 3, including stormwater erosion issues, crosswalk repainting and signage for nonmotorized vehicles. Jim Spires, the park manager, said the trail is open but not completed and that most punch-list items are finished except for resurfacing and erosion control.

Spires also told the committee the county attorney has accepted a proposed contract with Wade Trim Engineering for Phases 4 and 5. Members discussed breaking the contract into a Design Phase and a Construction Phase to control costs and allow budgeting flexibility.

The committee recorded an award of the recreation‑plan bid to Becket & Rayder for $38,000; the firm will conduct public outreach through an online community survey and information boards with QR codes. The award is recorded in the meeting minutes but the minutes do not show a formal recorded vote on the Wade Trim contract during this session.

The meeting minutes show routine procedural approvals: the agenda and previous minutes were approved by voice vote and the meeting adjourned by motion at 6:35 p.m.