Oakland County voters recently approved a parks millage and re-elected County Executive Dave Coulter. The millage, which increases taxes by 0.30 mills, will generate $24 million annually for park improvements, trails, recreational facilities, and the Farmers Market. It also provides free entry to county parks and dog parks, excluding pay-to-play attractions, as per a report from ClickonDetroit.
In terms of cost to the local residents, the measure is expected to add about $40 a year to the tax bill for the average homeowner. The proposal, as detailed by FOX 2 Detroit, calls for investment of $100 million into upgrading parks, trail expansion, and accessibility, which is sure to redefine the local recreation and wellness landscape.
County Executive Dave Coulter has pledged to continue a collaborative approach in Michigan's second-largest county. “You work hard at these jobs, and you try to do the best you can, and then ultimately, in our form of government, the voters will get the last say," Coulter told The Detroit News. He expressed gratitude towards voters for supporting his vision and plans to strengthen Oakland County’s economy, benefiting both the private sector and government budgets while maintaining its AAA bond rating.
Park officials are now focusing on the aging water parks, Red Oaks and Waterford Oaks, which Director Chris Ward says are at a "critical juncture" due to wear and financial challenges. Ward emphasized the importance of public input in deciding whether to rebuild the water parks or consider alternative options, stating, "We really need to zero in very quickly on, is it a smart move for us to rebuild a water park there, or is there a stronger case to adapt to something else?" according to The Detroit News.
