The city of South Haven will seek a new parks and recreation millage in the August primary election.
Speaking to the city council this week, South Haven City Manager Kate Hosier said the community’s recreation needs are constantly growing, and yet the general fund can’t keep up. She said there’s about $9 million in capital project needs right now.
“I think it’s very evident that recreation is needed in this community,” Hosier said. “It does need to be supported. I did hear a lot saying, ‘What can the city do more for its own city parks?’ City parks are part of the general fund. We do have to allocate those needs. That is part of the hard part that you all have to do in front of a budget. That’s part of the reason why we take so many meetings and we have to walk through so many different things. And that is also why there are times when we have to say, ‘We really need to get that done, but unfortunately, the money’s not there.'”
Hosier said needs include new restrooms, children’s recreation, school programs, beach parking, and more.
The millage proposal came out of discussions with community partners like the South Haven Area Recreation Authority. It would be 0.5 mills, raising about $294,000 in its first year.
The city council voted five to two to place the question on the ballot with members Wendi Onuki and Mary Hosley voting no.
