Township places trails and recreation tax renewal on August ballot
On May 11, 2026, the Township Board voted to place a 10-year renewal of the property tax for trails and public recreation areas on the August 4, 2026, ballot. If approved by voters, the tax of 0.4596 mills ($0.46 per $1,000 of taxable value) would fund new trail construction, maintenance, and park improvements.
The Township Board approved the resolution to place the millage renewal on the ballot on May 11, 2026, by a 6-0 vote. The motion was made by Steven McKellar and seconded by Kathey Batey.
Minutes record: I move that the Township Board approve the resolution to approve and certify a Non-Motorized Public Trails and Recreation Areas Millage Renewal Proposal as presented. Motion by Steven McKellar Second by Kathey Batey Roll Call: Ayes: Hagedorn, Batey, Morrow, Reminga, Coleman, McKellar Nays: 0 Motion approved
Timeline
- Agenda posted from agenda · published May 7, 2026
- Agenda posted from agenda · published May 11, 2026
- Resolution listed for a decision from agenda · published May 11, 2026
- Approved Final from minutes · published Jun 10, 2026
Key facts
- The Township Board approved placing the millage renewal on the ballot at its May 11, 2026 meeting.
- The proposal asks voters to renew the tax for 10 years, from 2026 through 2035.
- The proposed tax rate is 0.4596 mills, or about $0.46 per $1,000 of taxable property value.
- The original millage, approved in 2016, generated approximately $6.4 million over ten years.
- Staff considered renewing at the original 0.5 mills but recommended the lower, rolled-back rate due to the current economic environment.
- The vote will take place during the state primary election on August 4, 2026.
Discretion or exceptions
- Spending of the tax funds is guided by the projects and priorities outlined in the Plainfield Charter Township Parks & Recreation Master Plan.
Who could be affected
- Property owners in Plainfield Township
- Residents who use public trails and recreation areas
What could change
- If approved by voters, property owners would pay a tax of 0.4596 mills, which is $0.4596 for every $1,000 of their property's taxable value, for ten years from 2026 through 2035.
- The tax rate is slightly reduced from the previous year due to legally required rollbacks.
- A portion of the revenue collected must be distributed to the Comstock Park Downtown Development Authority, the Plainfield Avenue Corridor Improvement Authority, and the Plainfield Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, rather than being used directly by the Township for trails.
What to watch
- Which specific trail and park projects are prioritized for funding in the Plainfield Charter Township Parks & Recreation Master Plan?
Supporting records
These related records help explain the item, including the agenda listing, staff explanation, and draft text.
Read excerpt
Consider approval and certification of a resolution for the Non-Motorized Public Trails and Recreation Areas millage renewal proposal I move that the Township Board approve the resolution to approve and certify a NonMotorized Public Trails and Recreation Areas Millage Renewal Proposal as presented. Motion by Steven McKellar Second by Kathey Batey Roll Call: Ayes: Hagedorn, Batey, Morrow, Reminga, Coleman, McKellar N…
Read excerpt
A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND CERTIFY A NON-MOTORIZED PUBLIC TRAILS AND RECREATION AREAS MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSAL WHEREAS, in August 2016 Township voters approved a 10-year property tax millage for building public trails and enhancing public recreation areas in the Township ('the trails millage'); and WHEREAS, the Township has used the funds generated by the trails millage to construct over nine miles of paved trails,…
Read excerpt
PLAINFIELD CHARTER TOWNSHIP NON-MOTORZIED PUBLIC TRAILS AND PUBLIC RECREATION AREAS MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSAL In 2016, Plainfield Charter Township voters approved a ten-year property tax millage for building public trails and enhancing public recreation areas. Since then, the Township has constructed over nine miles of paved trails. If the voters approve the following millage, the Township intends to construct and ma…
Read excerpt
Millage Fund Summary The trails millage has generated approximately $6.4 million over the ten years. After covering the remaining expenses for the South Rogue River Trail, the trails millage fund balance is projected to be approximately $1.3 to $1.4 million.
Read excerpt
Millage Rate Details The trails millage was established at 0.5 mills in 2016. Due to required millage rollbacks, the most recent rate has been reduced to 0.4648 mils, which equates to $0.4648 per $1,000 of taxable value. The final millage revenue, collected with the last tax bill, generated about $910,000.
Read excerpt
Ballot Procedure -Millage Renewal: To be considered in the August primary election, the Township Board must approve a millage renewal resolution and submit it to the Township Clerk's office by 4 p.m. on May 12th, the day after the Township Board meeting. After the resolution is received by the Township Clerk's office, the Clerk must submit it to the Kent County Clerk. Arrangements have been made to meet this timelin…
Read excerpt
MEMO TO: Cameron Van Wyngarden, Township Superintendent FROM: Bill Fischer, Community Development Director and Joe Ketchum, Manager, Facilities & Assets Department DATE: May 6, 2026 RE: Non-Motorized Public Trails and Recreation Areas Millage Renewal This is a request for the Township Board to approve and certify a resolution for the Non-Motorized Public Trails and Recreation Areas millage (TRAM) renewal proposal. A…
Read excerpt
Renewal Details: Staff and the P&R Committee recommend asking voters to approve a renewal of the 10-year TRAM at the current rate, with no increase. Other options considered were renewing with an increase to the original 0.5 mills or creating a new millage at a different rate. After discussion, based on the current economic environment, we believe this is not the right time to request a higher or different millage.…
Meeting history
Agenda and minutes records showing when this item appeared and what procedural step it reached over time.
Read excerpt
The item appeared on the Board of Trustees Meeting agenda: Consider approval and certification of a resolution for the Non-Motorized Public Trails and Recreation Areas millage renewal proposal Consider approval and certification of a resolution for the Non-Motorized Public Trails and Recreation Areas millage renewal proposal
Accuracy note
Civic Desk summarizes public records to make local issues easier to follow. Mistakes, omissions, or outdated details are possible, especially when an issue is still moving through meetings. Before relying on an item for an important decision, verify the details in the linked source documents or with the township directly.