Voters will be asked to pony up for Springfield Township parks this summer.
Springfield Township Friends of the Parks President Marc Burnett met with Springfield Township Board, Feb. 11, to discuss how much.
‘Revenue will continue to shrink,? Burnett said. ‘We don’t know how much will come in. Every year, it becomes more difficult.?
Burnett presented three options for a dedicated parks and recreation millage: half a mill, estimated revenue, $285,573.79; .75 mill, $428,360.68; and a full mill, $571,147.57. One mill equals $1 collected for every $1,00 of taxable value.
Township Board members agreed .75-mill is best of the three.
“I support a millage, but not one mill ? we wouldn’t be able to sell it in this economy,” said Treasurer Jamie Dubre. “The 0.75 mill makes more sense.”
‘Residents are strained, just like our budget,? said Clerk Laura Moreau.
Expected revenues from the .75 mill would pay for about 85 percent of the township’s $512,873 parks program. The rest would be funded out of the township’s $2.0 million General Fund.
The 2010 budget includes $358,000 for parks and recreation from the General Fund. As budgets tighten, parks and rec would be among the first to be cut, Dubre said.
“We have a jewel here, but it won’t stay a jewel without funding,” said Trustee David Hopper. “We need at least .75. I don’t know if one mill would pass because of the economy.”
‘We all agree it’s necessary, but with the decline in tax and state-share revenue, we can’t fund everything anymore,” said Trustee Dennis Vallad. “This is a tough decision ? .75 millage is probably the most appropriate.”
A millage would relieve some pressure on the General Fund, said Supervisor Mike Trout.
“We’re struggling to fund efficiently everything that needs to be funded,” Trout said. “The .75 mill is probably easier sell, and it gives us flexibility.”
The group plans to draft a millage proposal and present it to the board at its March 11 meeting, Burnett said.
Voters will decide at the Aug. 3 primary election.