When would the increased millage start?
If passed, the Parks, Trail, and Pathway Capital Improvement Millage would go into effect July 1, 2022.
I heard the City was also planning on a utility increase (water/sewer) within the next year. I don't know if I can afford both. s also planning on a utility increase (water/sewer) within the next year. I don't know if I can afford both.
While these are separate independent funding issues, we understand that voters are concerned about the cost of both.
The City is in the process of preparing for a mandated wastewater treatment plant expansion that requires the DPW facility to be moved. The City is working to apply for any and all funding that may assist in reducing the costs of those projects to utility users. While we are hopeful the recent release of additional federal funds to the State will assist with the project and we are working to secure potential grants, we won’t know for many months and can’t determine the rate increase until those decisions are made.
Who decides what projects the funds are spent on?
While the City Council will make the final approval of individual projects during its regular meetings, which are typically held on the first and third Monday of each month, these decisions take residents’ feedback and needs into great consideration. The listed projects below were prioritized by community members over several years of feedback and engagement opportunities as part of the 2020-2024 Parks, Recreation and Non-motorized Plan.
The following projects have been identified, but the City is in the process of finalizing site plans for all the parks that will lead to more specific improvements:
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Project Name/Description
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Year/ Notes
|
Current Estimates
|
Rayner Bond Fund Balance= 537,000
|
|
Laylin Phase II: Signs, Path, Building Repair
|
In progress
|
195,000
|
342,000
|
|
Rayner Park: Plan/ Design
|
In progress
|
20,000
|
322,000
|
|
Hayhoe Riverwalk Trail: Repair
|
Applied for Ingham County Trail Funding 21 for increase scope (entire trail) price increased to $337,000 for all repairs, match $38,525
|
100,000
|
222,000
|
|
Lee Austin Park: Plan/ Design, Farmers Mkt
|
In progress, DDA Funding (Committed)
|
15,000
|
|
|
Bond Park: Plan/Design
|
In progress
|
20,000
|
202,000
|
|
Griffin Park: Plan/Design
|
In progress
|
5,000
|
197,000
|
|
Hayes Park - Plan/Design
|
In progress
|
20,000
|
177,000
|
|
Additional Funding Required
|
|
Rayner Park Construction Like Size Playground
|
Applied for DNR Funding 21 for increase scope (DNR Requirements) price increased to $485,000, match $242,500, without DNR grant would invest $350,000
|
350,000
|
(128,000)
|
|
Hayhoe Riverwalk Trail – Wayfinding, Final Repair
|
If we don’t receive Ingham County Funding above, Remaining repair- $237,000, Wayfinding $50,000
|
287,000
|
(415,000)
|
|
Jefferson Trailhead / Comm Garden: ADA Bathroom, Drinking Fountain, Added Parking
|
Applying for Trail Funding 21, price increased to $227,188, match $23,188, without Ingham would invest $227,188
|
100,000
|
(515,000)
|
|
Signage Plan: Downtown Wayfinding
|
DDA 50%
|
150,000
|
(590,000)
|
|
Bond Park – Dependent on Design, Playground, Restroom, etc.
|
|
200,000
|
(790,000)
|
|
Non-Motorized: Kipp Rd/ Cedar St, sidewalk access Meijer
|
|
80,000
|
(870,000)
|
|
Signage: Major Corridors, Wayfinding to Key Areas
|
Street Fund 50%
|
150,000
|
(945,000)
|
|
Hayes Park: Dependent on Design
|
|
200,000
|
(1,145,000)
|
|
Parks/Recreation Plan - 5 year update
|
|
30,000
|
(1,175,000)
|
|
Lee Austin Park: Dependent on Design
|
May move up if secure approvals, high priority in park plan.
|
300,000
|
(1,475,000)
|
|
Second Drive – Cemetery
|
|
70,000
|
(1,545,00)
|
|
Rayner Phase II: Dependent on Design
|
|
Unknown
|
|
|
Laylin Phase III, ADA restrooms
|
|
Unknown
|
|
What if, after further planning, a project does not cost the full amount listed above? You receive grant funds? or It costs more?
Project estimates were done prior to COVID and we have already found that actual costs have increased significantly. The City Council will prioritize project scope based on the actual costs. City staff will continue to actively seek grant funding in addition to the millage to leverage the millage funds, if approved, to the maximum.
A prime example is the City is seeking DNR funding for the Rayner Playground. However, with the increased requirements from DNR it increased the overall cost of the playground, but still reduced the estimated cost due to their contribution. The City Council will evaluate each of those opportunities to determine if they meet the goals of the adopted plan and the prioritization determined within that plan.
What will the new playground equipment be made out of? What about maintenance costs? Will there be pickleball courts?
Specifics for each of the projects listed above, including the playgrounds and location of pickleball courts, have not been decided yet. If the millage passes, the City will finalize the plans for each park and encourage the community to have input prior to have final adoption. Long term financial sustainability is an important factor for any investment by the City Council and staff.
Why hasn't Rayner Park Playground been maintained better, so we wouldn't have to replace it?
The company that installed the playground in 1993 recently did a review of the condition to determine their recommendation. They noted that the average lifespan for that type of playground is 20 years with proper maintenance and specifically noted that this playground has been well taken care of. The playground is now 28 years old and these types of playgrounds are being removed all over the country due to the how the wood was originally treated. It also no longer meets playground safety and accessibility compliance. If the funding is available, the City hopes that the replacement playground will include a community build to ensure that our residents continue to be connected this resource.
Will the federal COVID relief windfall for local governments make this unnecessary?
The City's allocation has been designated to be used for water and sewer infrastructure which are considered essential services. The City will continue to seek funding from state agencies that received COVID funding to leverage the millage.
Can the city to afford to maintain these improvements?
For each project, long term maintenance will be evaluated and determined if it can be funded within the existing allocation of funds for staff or not. The Council will ultimately determine if staff resources should be increased based on expectations for the parks, but many of these improvements will likely reduce maintenance for our staff. The staff will be developing an asset management plan for all parks as part of this process to ensure we can maintain the improvements into the future, until they reach their lifespan for replacement.
Can funds from the millage be used to support recreation programs or City operations?
No. All money collected from the millage will directly fund the playgrounds and other projects listed above.
How can I calculate my specific cost for this millage?
Use the following formula: Taxable value X 0.001 mills = your annual cost
Examples below:
|
Home Value
|
Taxable Value
|
Annual Cost
|
Total Cost (5 years)
|
|
$250,000
|
$125,000
|
$125
|
$625
|
|
$200,000
|
$100,000
|
$100
|
$500
|
|
$150,000
|
$75,000
|
$75
|
$375
|
If passed, the Parks, Trail, and Pathway Capital Improvement Millage would go into effect July 1, 2022. It is estimated that 1.00 mill will raise approximately $232,220 when first levied in 2022.
If not passed, the City will reassess plans to determine which projects are feasible to accomplish with the available funding to ensure parks remain the vibrant.
I already pay so many taxes. Why can't you use the funding I already provide?
According to Tax Resource- Ingham County has one of the highest median property taxes in the United States! Ranked 176th of 3,143 counties for property taxes as a percentage of medium income and 222nd in actual taxes for the tax year 2019.
Ingham County is unique in that there are significantly large stretches of land that are not taxable due to being owned by the State, MSU, or other tax-exempt entities. This means that the remaining property owners have to fund operations instead of it being more evenly distributed among all property owners.
While Mason residents pay all their local taxes at City Hall, only $0.29 of each dollar paid stays in Mason. The taxes you currently pay fund essential legally required services, including fire, police, planning, etc.
If voters approve the Parks improvement Millage, will all projects on the Parks Plan list move forward?
Many of the projects will move forward, but this will not fund all the projects in the plan and they will not happen all at once. Based on prioritization, projects will be completed within 2-6 years, during which time individual plans may be altered based on additional community feedback and consultant recommendations.
After much discussion with residents and community members, the City and its consultants ranked residents’ top priorities as listed. However, specific plans for each individual project will be presented to City Council before moving forward. Large projects will include further community engagement sessions.
The City is anticipating that a renewal after five years will be required to finalize all the projects in the plan, but wanted to ensure the community had a say in extending the length based on the progress the City had made within the five years.
I already pay for Ingham County Parks and Trails; doesn't that pay for parks in Mason?
March 2020, Ingham County voters approved renewing the millage to support the development of a county-wide regional trails and parks system. The .5 mill levy will raise an estimated $4 million per year over the next six years.
Mason has been a successful applicant in seeking funding for eligible projects from this fund. Every project the City has applied for has received funding so far, but the eligibility is limited and doesn’t cover all the park improvements proposed in the park plan. The City will continue to apply for funds to leverage any funding we have locally.
When, how and where can I vote?
The most up to date election information can be found here.
