By Jim Bloch
For the 29th year, the St. Clair County Parks and Recreation Commission is distributing 25 percent of its annual millage money back to the cities, villages and townships in the county based on their populations.
The county collected $3,449,353 in recreation tax funds from residents in fiscal year 2022-2023 and is returning $2,587,015 to the local units of government.
Among cities, Port Huron is the big winner with its population of 28,983. It will receive $155,835.
Among townships, Fort Gratiot is getting the most money, $60,446, based on its population of 11,242.
Marysville, with 9,997 residents, will get $53,742.
“That’s a five percent increase over last year’s,” said Mike Booth, finance director.
“Each community’s governing board (township board, village/city council) is required to formally approve the information submitted on the 2023 Local Millage Distribution Request form to ensure they are knowledgeable of the information submitted,” said Dennis Delor, director of the commission, in his letter to governmental units. “A copy of the unit’s most recent audit report must also be submitted with the request form and a copy (a draft is acceptable) of the meeting minutes when the form was formally approved.”
Governmental bodies will receive their recreation funds within 60 days of submitting their materials to the commission.
The Marysville City Council voted unanimously at its regular meeting June 12 to accept the distribution.
“They always want to know what you’re going to spend the money on,” said Booth, as heard on the recording of the meeting posted on Vimeo. “Essentially the information is from our budget. I referenced the amphitheatre/band shell, the improvements at the museum and Veterans Park.”
Each unit of government in the county will get about $5.38 per person.
Among cities and villages, Algonac with 4.196 residents, will get $22,561; Capac, $22,561; Emmett, $1.388; Marine City, $21,932; Memphis, $1,694; Richmond, with three residents in the county, gets $17; St. Clair, $29,379; and Yale, $10,323.
Among townships, Berlin receives $16,749; Brockway, $10,200; Burtchville, $21,921; Casco, $21,454; China, $18,867; Clay, $45,412; Clyde, nearly $30,000; Columbus, $22,110; Cottrellville, $18,314; East China, just under $20,000; Emmett, $12,136; Grant, $9,835; Greenwood, just over $8,000; Ira, $26,707; Kenockee, $12,932; Kimball, $51,666; Lynn, $6,006; Mussey, $12,104; Port Huron, $58,206; Riley, $17,201; St. Clair, just over $38,000; and Wales, $17,099.
“I know we’d always like more,” said Marysville Mayor Kathy Hayman. “But the formula is what it is. So we’ll take the $53,750. Gladly.”
“Absolutely,” said Booth.
Jim Bloch is a freelance writer based in St. Clair, Michigan. Contact him at bloch.jim@gmail.com.