About two years ago, the township coordinated a Grosse Ile commitment of use to the City of Trenton in exchange for preferred and expanded ice times for our residents. Relying on our commitment and that of several other communities, Trenton renovated and added two sheets of ice to its West Road facility. We combined efforts with the Grosse Ile Schools for school hockey teams, the Grosse Ile Hockey Association for little league hockey teams and the Recreation Department for possible open skating and figure skating programs. Opened this year, the fantastic facility has greatly expanded ice time availability to Grosse Ile residents, greatly enriching the recreational opportunities for Grosse Ile residents.
The township continued to make strides at reducing the under funding of our employee pension system. In 1996 the program was only 61% funded, with $3 million in unfunded liabilities. As a result of our efforts, the pension program is now 78.7% funded with the liability standing at $1 million, valued at market rates. It is my goal to have the pension system 100% funded before my current term of office is over.
Following the departure of DPW Director Tim Taylor, the DPW Commission and Township Board conducted an extensive search for a replacement. DPW Director Don Woike Jr. began in February. He is leading the department during its most critical time, as the township completes a massive overhaul of our sanitary sewer system under a settlement agreement with the state and federal governments.
Following an extended negotiation period, and operating without a contract for nearly two years, the township successfully closed a five-year labor contract with our AFSCME bargaining unit. The contract provides for fair and reasonable wages and benefits to our employees, while at the same time providing budgetary predictability and obtaining a good value for the taxpayer. We were successful in achieving pay equity by reducing wage categories from 22 to 7, and expect this to improve work quality by minimizing inequities.
During the year the complete removal and reconstruction of three bridges was completed: Horsemill Road Bridge, Church Road Bridge, and Southpointe Road Bridge. The total infrastructure investment on Grosse Ile from these three projects exceeds $1.5 million. None of the projects required Grosse Ile Township funding, as we negotiated these projects with funding by Wayne County. The projects over the Thorofare Canal included raising the elevation of the bridges to allow more clearance for boat traffic, with the added costs of the bridge raising paid for by property owners along the Thorofare Canal.
After obtaining $275,000 in matching grants from the state and federal governments, we completed the construction of three additions to the township’s bike path network: Meridian Road from Horse Mill to Voight, Groh Road and Southpointe Road.
The Township forged a unique partnership with Findlay University to manage equestrian operations at Centennial Farm. The program pairs the university’s nationally recognized expertise in the equestrian sciences with our exceptional facility for the purpose of providing riding and education programs for Grosse Ile residents.
The township completed renovations to the historic Hangar #1 “West Wing,” and opened the new municipal seat of township government in November 2000. The project was completed on time and without the need for any new taxes. It marks a renewed effort at preserving the Island’s naval history by incorporating a Grosse Ile Naval Air Station museum and memorial gardens, in cooperation with the Grosse Ile Historical Society and Grosse Ile Garden Club. The investment in Hangar #1 is the most visible sign of the township’s renewed commitment to the successful management of the Grosse Ile Municipal Airport without the need for Grosse Ile taxpayer operating subsidy, and as a good neighbor on the Island’s south end.
The township had one of the most successful years ever in writing and receiving grants: $749,000 was granted from the Clean Michigan Initiative Fund to finance water line and sewer main improvements; $1,750,000 was received from the FAA for the reconstruction of runway 17/35 at the Grosse Ile Municipal Airport; $220,000 was received for the demolition of buildings and environmental assessment at the Grosse Ile Municipal Airport. Additionally, $10,000 was received to plant trees in the downtown district; $10,000 was received for crack sealing pavement at the airport; $28,500 was received to assist in the construction of soccer fields at the airport athletic park; and $25,009 was received to subsidize the hiring of a civilian dispatcher at the Police Department. In addition, the township continued to complete projects that received grants in prior years: open space acquisition, bike path construction, and the wages of police officers.
The township adopted another balanced budget. Fiscal performance for the year, as detailed in the 2000 audit, included general fund receipts exceeding expenditures, adding $125,193 to the fund balance. Since 1996, we have added over $1,000,000 to the general fund balance of the township. Property tax bills for most residents this year remained almost completely unchanged. Township levied mills dropped to 13.33 from 13.73.
- Supervisor Doug Jones
2000-2001 Annual Report
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