By Jim Bloch
For the 30th 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 $3,692,722 in recreation tax funds from residents in fiscal year 2023-2024, an increase of nearly seven percent over last year, and is returning $923,181 to the local units of government.
Among cities, Port Huron is the big winner with its population of 28,983, based on the 2020 census. It will receive $166,830.
Among townships, Fort Gratiot is getting the most money, $64,711, based on its population of 11,242.
Marysville, with 9,997 residents, will get $57,544. The city of St. Clair, with 5,464 residents, will get $31,452.
The Port Huron City Council approved its request for distribution as part of its consent agenda at its regular meeting June 10. The city of St. Clair approved its request for distribution at its regular meeting June 3.
“Each community’s governing board (township board, village/city council) is required to formally approve the information submitted on the 2024 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.”
“We have submitted to the St. Clair County Parks and Recreation Commission our request for local millage distribution,” said Quentin Bishop, St. Clair city superintendent, as heard on the recording of the council meeting posted on YouTube.
In 2023, the city of St. Clair’s recreation department had revenues of $252,000, which included more than $29,000 in county millage funds, $133,000 in grants and donations, and $90,000 in local funds. The department had $247,000 in expenses.
“Current projects include Recreate Klecha Park, the Bridge to Bay Trail and improvements to existing facilities,” said St. Clair finance Director Lynette Obey in her request for the distribution.
Governmental bodies will receive their recreation funds within 60 days of submitting their materials to the commission.
Each unit of government in the county will get about $5.76 per person.
Among cities and villages, Algonac with 4,196 residents, will get $24,153; Capac, $11,415; Emmett, $1,486; Marine City, $23,480; Memphis, $1,814; Richmond, with three residents in the county, gets $18; and Yale, $10,954.
Among townships, Berlin will receive $17,931; Brockway, $10,920; Burtchville, $23,468; Casco, $22,967; China, $20,199; Clay, $48,617; Clyde, $31,791; Columbus, $23,460; Cottrellville, $19,606; East China, $21,321; Emmett, $12,992; Grant, $10,528; Greenwood, $8,577; Ira, $28,591; Kenockee, $13,644; Kimball, $55,311; Lynn, $6,430; Mussey, $12,957; Port Huron, $62,120; Riley, $18,414; St. Clair, $40,782; and Wales, $18,305.
The St. Clair City Council approved the request for distribution by a vote of 7-0.
Voters will head to the polls Aug. 6 to decide whether or not to add .5 mills for three years to the .5 mill countywide tax for parks and recreation approved last year for six years. If approved, the millage would raise an additional estimated $3.5 million in its first year for parks and recreation.
Jim Bloch is a freelance writer based in St. Clair, Michigan. Contact him at bloch.jim@gmail.com.
