What is the millage proposal?

The proposal approved by the City Commission at their June 3rd meeting is for a new tax in an amount not to exceed 1.2 mills, for 8 years, from 2025 through 2032, to provide funds to the city to acquire, construct, improve, furnish, operate, and maintain parks and recreation facilities. It is estimated that it would raise approximately $834,000 when first levied in 2025 and $7,200,000 over the eight years. … Read More

Do we know how the money will be used?

Specific projects, detailed costs,  project priority, and timing  have not been defined. The City Administration suggested 4 broad categories of potential spending with approximate amounts which when totaled would be between  $6,200,000 and $7,400,000. See excerpt from the Administrative Recommendation below. The ballot language does not restrict the City Commission to specific projects or initiatives. While the funds can only be used to “acquire, construct, improve, furnish, operate and maintain … Read More

What information was provided about the potential projects?

As presented in a previous blog post, The City Administration suggested 4 broad categories of potential spending approximated to be between  $6,200,000 and $7,400,000. If the Millage is passed it would raise approximately $834,000 the first year and $7,200,000 over the eight-year proposal. NOTE: While the funds can only be used to “acquire, construct, improve, furnish, operate and maintain parks and recreation facilities” the City Commission has full discretion on … Read More

What are Parks & Recreation Advisory Boards?

Parks and Recreation Advisory Boards are groups typically established by local governments to provide guidance and recommendations on matters related to parks and recreation. They are established by passing ordinances to define the purpose, authority, and structure of the board. Bylaws provide detailed operational procedures, meeting schedules, and specific duties. These boards act in an advisory capacity only and are commonly responsible for: A good example of such a board … Read More

How much will my taxes increase if the proposal passes?

A millage rate is expressed as dollars per $1,000 of Taxable Value of your property. You can find the Taxable Value of your property on your tax bill or by using the city’s Online Payments and Property Information link. Keep in mind that the Taxable Value is different from the Assessed Value or State Equalized Value. To estimate your tax increase, use this formula: Taxable Value x Millage Rate ÷ … Read More

Will the millage rate be reduced if the city secures grant funding?

I have not seen any indication that this has been considered. The city’s estimates for the four broad spending categories range from $6.2 million to $7.4 million, with the millage expected to generate about $7.2 million over eight years. While this seems sufficient to fund the proposed categories, issuing a bond would reduce this amount due to interest costs. The Administrative Recommendation presented at the April 15, 2024; City Commission … Read More

Was a Parks & Recreation Advisory Board discussed at the focus group sessions?”

The focus group discussion included the following topics at the two sessions held on April 9, 2024: Focus group participants suggested an advisory board, but its practicality, benefits, and drawbacks were not discussed. According to page 3 of the Recreation Department Focus Group Report (dated May 9, 2024), it was noted: “Establishing a governmental Parks & Recreation oversight or advisory board was also suggested. However, this is not practical based … Read More

Why do we need a millage now?

The City Commission held a Recreation Study Session on May 22, 2024, prior to approving the millage language. The slide shown was part of a presentation given by City Commissioners and Recreation Director. While questions were addressed verbally during the session, the answers were not included in the presentation materials nor the minutes from the session. Although I attended, I honestly do not recall the response to the question, “Why … Read More

Where other funding options exhausted before asking the citizens for a millage?  

Currently, the City of Plymouth does not have a formal parks and recreation sponsorship program. Recently, when a citizen asked about sponsoring a park they were told sponsorships are on hold until after the millage vote. Page 15 of the  5-Year Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2024-2028 states: The 5-Year Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2024-2028 references the City of Plymouth Strategic Plan on page 53 and lists “review park … Read More

How was public input gathered?

Included in the agenda of the City Commission Regular Meeting held on June 3, 2024, was an Administrative Recommendation which outlined seven instances where the public was invited to provide input on matters related to parks, recreation, and the proposed millage. Although these events took place, it’s important to note that there were no public meetings before the millage decision that allowed for open dialogue, where the community could ask … Read More

Who participates in the programs the city funds?

In 2023, only 395 (27%) of the 1443 participants in the City of Plymouth’s Youth Soccer Programs were residents of the city. The other 73% of participants are from Plymouth Township, Canton Township, and other neighboring communities. The data below is a summary of information provided by the city in response to a FOIA request of participant residency information for each program in the calendar year 2023. Not all programs … Read More

Who participates in city parks and recreation programs?

In 2023, only 395 (27%) of the 1443 participants in the City of Plymouth’s Youth Soccer Programs were residents of the city. The other 73% of participants are from Plymouth Township, Canton Township, and other neighboring communities. The data below is a summary of information provided by the city in a response to a FOIA request of participant residency information for each program in the calendar year 2023. Not all … Read More

Does Plymouth Township provide any support to the city for the recreation  programs?

While Plymouth Township acknowledges a working relationship with the City of Plymouth regarding parks and recreation, it does not appear to provide substantial support to the city’s recreation programs. The city has a recreation department  with 4 Full Time and 12 to 13 Part Time employees. The township does not maintain a recreation department.

Will the taxes collected be enough for the items suggested?

The City Administration has outlined four broad spending categories, estimated to cost between $6.2 million and $7.4 million. If the millage is approved, it would generate approximately $834,000 in the first year and $7.2 million over the eight-year period. While it appears the taxes collected could support the proposed projects, a specific specific spending plan has not been provided. If the millage is approved by the voters, the City of … Read More

What is the city’s current budget for parks and recreation?

There are two aspects of the budget to consider: Operational Expenditures and Capital Improvements. Operational Expenditures Operational expenditures include the Recreation Department staff and overhead costs to support the programs. The 5-Year Parks and Recreation Master Plan provides a good Fiscal Analysis on pages 10 to 12. I have included Page 12 below. The city recovers 55% to 70% of operating expenditures through revenue generation (excluding grants over the past … Read More

Should the city establish a Parks & Recreation Advisory Board?

I focus my blog posts on sharing information that I can back up with sources, in this post I am sharing my opinion. I believe the City should consider creating a Parks & Recreation Advisory Board because it would be an effective way to solve three significant problems I see related to Parks and Recreation in the City of Plymouth. I have blog posts that shar information on each of … Read More