By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
Ottawa County voters have approved the renewal and restoration of countywide tax levies to support county parks and mental health services.
A proposal to renew and restore a 0.33-mill levy for parks for the next 10 years was approved by a 2-to-1 margin on Aug. 4 – 56,119 yes votes to 28,077 no. Meanwhile, a ballot issue to renew and restore the county mental health services millage at 0.3 mills for 10 years passed with support from 63.7 percent of voters who cast ballots – 53,489 yes votes to 30,448 no.
The parks millage had been rolled back to 0.31 mills by the Headlee amendment since it was last approved in August 2016, while the mental health services levy had been rolled back to 0.28 mills by Headlee since voters approved that millage in March 2016. Ottawa was the first county in Michigan to pass a millage tied specifically to mental health services.
Since first approved by voters in 1996, the parks and open space millage has served as the primary dedicated funding source for county parks. The renewed millage is expected to generate approximately $6.2 million during the first calendar year after its approval, approximately $1 million of which will fund major renovations, repairs, and upgrades annually, in addition to:
• Operating and maintaining Ottawa County parks, trails, boardwalks, stairways, and facilities
• Keeping parks, playgrounds, and restrooms safe and clean
• Completion of the Idema Explorers Trail
• Completion of planned land acquisitions at Bend Area
• Rosy Mound expansion improvements, including a parking area, ADA-accessible loop trail, and trail connections
“We are grateful for the continued trust residents have placed in us” County Parks Director Jason Shamblin said. “This renewed funding allows us to continue our mission of enhancing well-being by stewarding a connected system of natural communities and promoting outdoor experiences.”
What comes next is a separate park proposal on the Nov. 3 ballot, where voters will consider an additional 0.2-mill levy to expand park improvements, conservation efforts, and recreation opportunities beyond what the renewal alone can support.
If approved by voters in November, the combined millage rate would total 0.53 mills from 2027 through 2036 and generate an estimated additional $3,763,230 million during its first year (2027). Combined, the two millages would provide nearly $10 million annually to support Ottawa County parks, trails, and open spaces.
The mental health millage will go to support programs and services for county residents living with mental illness, developmental disabilities, autism and substance use issues.
“This vote affirms what we already know — that our community is committed to ensuring that every resident has access to essential mental health services,” said Dr. Michael Brashears, chief executive officer of Community Mental Health of Ottawa County. “The passage of this millage allows us to truly keep ‘community’ in community mental health. It reinforces our shared responsibility to care for one another and strengthens the foundation of support for people who rely on these services.”
The approved millage will help restore stability to CMH’s funding, protect vital programs, and expand access to care for some of the county’s most vulnerable residents, Brashears said.
Brashears expressed gratitude to the Friends of CMH and to CMH staff members, whose dedication and outreach played a pivotal role in educating the community on the essential nature of this funding.
“Our staff and the Friends of CMH did an exceptional job helping residents understand why this millage was so important,” Brashears said. “Their commitment, compassion, and hard work ensured voters had the information they needed to make an informed decision.”
Zeeland Record
Ottawa County voters have approved the renewal and restoration of countywide tax levies to support county parks and mental health services.
A proposal to renew and restore a 0.33-mill levy for parks for the next 10 years was approved by a 2-to-1 margin on Aug. 4 – 56,119 yes votes to 28,077 no. Meanwhile, a ballot issue to renew and restore the county mental health services millage at 0.3 mills for 10 years passed with support from 63.7 percent of voters who cast ballots – 53,489 yes votes to 30,448 no.
The parks millage had been rolled back to 0.31 mills by the Headlee amendment since it was last approved in August 2016, while the mental health services levy had been rolled back to 0.28 mills by Headlee since voters approved that millage in March 2016. Ottawa was the first county in Michigan to pass a millage tied specifically to mental health services.
Since first approved by voters in 1996, the parks and open space millage has served as the primary dedicated funding source for county parks. The renewed millage is expected to generate approximately $6.2 million during the first calendar year after its approval, approximately $1 million of which will fund major renovations, repairs, and upgrades annually, in addition to:
• Operating and maintaining Ottawa County parks, trails, boardwalks, stairways, and facilities
• Keeping parks, playgrounds, and restrooms safe and clean
• Completion of the Idema Explorers Trail
• Completion of planned land acquisitions at Bend Area
• Rosy Mound expansion improvements, including a parking area, ADA-accessible loop trail, and trail connections
“We are grateful for the continued trust residents have placed in us” County Parks Director Jason Shamblin said. “This renewed funding allows us to continue our mission of enhancing well-being by stewarding a connected system of natural communities and promoting outdoor experiences.”
What comes next is a separate park proposal on the Nov. 3 ballot, where voters will consider an additional 0.2-mill levy to expand park improvements, conservation efforts, and recreation opportunities beyond what the renewal alone can support.
If approved by voters in November, the combined millage rate would total 0.53 mills from 2027 through 2036 and generate an estimated additional $3,763,230 million during its first year (2027). Combined, the two millages would provide nearly $10 million annually to support Ottawa County parks, trails, and open spaces.
The mental health millage will go to support programs and services for county residents living with mental illness, developmental disabilities, autism and substance use issues.
“This vote affirms what we already know — that our community is committed to ensuring that every resident has access to essential mental health services,” said Dr. Michael Brashears, chief executive officer of Community Mental Health of Ottawa County. “The passage of this millage allows us to truly keep ‘community’ in community mental health. It reinforces our shared responsibility to care for one another and strengthens the foundation of support for people who rely on these services.”
The approved millage will help restore stability to CMH’s funding, protect vital programs, and expand access to care for some of the county’s most vulnerable residents, Brashears said.
Brashears expressed gratitude to the Friends of CMH and to CMH staff members, whose dedication and outreach played a pivotal role in educating the community on the essential nature of this funding.
“Our staff and the Friends of CMH did an exceptional job helping residents understand why this millage was so important,” Brashears said. “Their commitment, compassion, and hard work ensured voters had the information they needed to make an informed decision.”
