City of EGR to Hold Education Meetings for 2021 Parks Improvement Millage

By Press release submission

Sep 14, 2021

City of East Grand Rapids issued the following announcement on Sept 14.

The City of East Grand Rapids will hold four education meetings for all residents and community members to learn more about the proposed 2021 Parks Improvement Millage ahead of the Nov. 2 election.

During these meetings, City officials will review potential plans and discuss how the millage would impact residents and the future of EGR, as well as answer any questions.

Two of the four sessions will take place via Zoom from noon-1 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 15
Monday, Oct. 11

The other two sessions will be held in person in the City Commission Chambers at the Community Center, 750 Lakeside Drive SE from 7-8 p.m. in an open house-style fashion.

Thursday, Sept. 30
Tuesday, Oct. 19

“We are working diligently to ensure all residents have the details they need to make an informed decision on this issue at the polls,” said East Grand Rapids Mayor Katie Favale. “In addition to sharing information through our website and other traditional communications channels, we are providing these informational sessions to give residents the opportunity to ask questions and get answers in person or over Zoom.”

All residents, community members and employees are welcome to attend these meetings. Attendees are encouraged to wear CDC-approved face coverings. No RSVP is required.

If passed by EGR voters, the millage would provide funding for the replacement of the five playgrounds located within the City as well as improvements to several EGR parks, as identified in the City’s Master Plan and the Community Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Residents would pay an annual 0.56 mills that would allow the City to borrow up to $7 million over 20 years. The millage would begin July 1, 2022, at the earliest.

If the millage is not passed, the City will reassess the listed projects and determine which are feasible to accomplish with the available long-term funding to ensure parks remain the vibrant community asset EGR is known for.

The East Grand Rapids City Commission voted in July to place the millage proposal on the November ballot for voters to decide whether to approve the proposed playground replacements and projects listed in the 2018 Master Plan and 2020 Parks & Recreation Master Plan.

For more on the millage proposal, including background, data, plans, FAQs and other resources, visit eastgr.org/parksmillage and follow the City on Twitter @cityofeastgr and on Facebook at facebook.com/CityofEGR.

Original source can be found here.