Despite winning overall, the 0.5 Howell Recreation Authority Millage on Tuesday’s ballot failed because it did not win in Marion Township.
According to the State Recreation Authority Act, the millage must successfully pass in each of the municipalities in the district. Howell Recreation Executive Director Tim Church said that the issue failed in Marion Township by less than 200 votes. It passed the district as a whole by nearly 5 points.
While expressing disappointment that the millage did not pass, Church said that “we are deeply encouraged by the support and engagement we received from the community.”
“It’s clear that many of you share our vision for enhancing Howell Recreation, and we are committed to trying again on Nov. 5,” he said.
In a message to residents in the district, Church clarified several points: that the recreation millage is separate from the 2023 school bond issue; that the recreation millage has nothing to do with the car racetrack being built in Howell; and that the recreation millage has nothing to do with what he called the “frustration regarding park passes to Scofield Park.”
“The City of Howell regulates and operates Scofield Park, including the distribution of park passes,” Church said.
The Howell Recreation Authority encompasses the City of Howell, as well as the parts of Howell, Genoa, Marion, Marion and Oceola townships that are also part of the Howell Public Schools District. The millage would have cost a homeowner with a taxable value of $150,000 about $75 a year, and it would have generated about $1.6 million a year for five years. The money raised would have been dedicated exclusively to improving and maintaining recreation programming, facilities and amenities in the district while keeping program costs low.
“Our goal is to improve communication and ensure that everyone understands the true purpose and benefits of the Howell Recreation Millage,” Church said. “We are dedicated to addressing any misunderstandings and providing clear, accurate information to our community.”
