Three proposals were approved for ballots in August and November by the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners on April 30, but not without discussion.
Officials unanimously approved renewal proposals for millages from Community Mental Health and Parks and Recreation, both for August. The former seeks a renewal and restoration of 0.3 mills, while the latter seeks a renewal of 0.33 mills and an increase of 0.2 mills.
That increase, after much commissioner discussion, will be separated from the renewal proposal and placed on the ballot in November. Four commissioners voted against placing the increase in front of voters at all: Joe Moss, Sylvia Rhodea, Allison Miedema and Kendra Wenzel.
“I love our parks, but I think (we’re) possibly getting to the point where we’re starting to ask too much of our people when it comes to property taxes,” Rhodea said, emphasizing the effect of inflation on seniors and young families.
Rhodea previously called the decision to split the proposal “a reasonable compromise,” noting the higher turnout expected in November.
Commissioners Jim Barry, John Teeples, Doug Zylstra and Jacob Bonnema pushed for residents to decide.
“I think voters should have the opportunity to decide whether that’s an investment they care to make,” Barry said.
The renewal for Community Mental Health comes as the organization begins a three-year transition plan from municipal department to standalone agency, approved by commissioners 6-5 in February.
According to the Parks and Recreation Commission, rising operational and maintenance costs fully consume current revenue from the existing millage. An expanded millage would allow for expanded trails, the protection of additional property and a response to growing public demand.
Ottawa County has a system of more than 40 parks and open spaces. According to officials, those parks generate approximately $6 in local economic impact for every $1 invested through the millage.
County Administrator Patrick Waterman said a millage calculator will be available at miottawa.org, so voters can consider how much their individual tax bill might rise.
— Cassidey Kavathas is the politics and court reporter at The Holland Sentinel. Contact her at ckavathas@hollandsentinel.com. Follow her on X @cassideykava.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Ottawa County will split parks millage between August, November
Reporting by Cassidey Kavathas, Holland Sentinel / The Holland Sentinel
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