Welcome to the electronic newsletter from
Grand Haven Charter Township!
Stay informed on what is happening in the township. This newsletter will deliver up-to-date information including upcoming meetings, development news, township services and more!
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Leaves and yard waste may be dropped off behind the Township Public Services building (13300 168th Avenue) during normal business hours and weekend days. Signs will direct you to the drop-off location. |
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The Township′s Fiscal Year 2023 (FY2023) budget – which begins on January 1st – is unusual inasmuch as there will only be few new infrastructure projects. Instead, there will be a significant amount of construction planning for capital improvement projects that are scheduled for FY2024 (e.g., $6+ million for a third water transmission line into the Township, etc.).
The total budget revenue within all fourteen (14) funds is projected at $14.80 million with total budget expenditures estimated at $17.44 million — which is down↓ about $5 million from previous. (It is important to note that monies from one fund cannot be transferred to other funds, unless there is a specific service received. For example, revenues from the Water Fund could not be used to cover a shortfall in the Fire/Rescue Fund.)
Although expenditures exceed revenues, the budget is “balanced” because the difference is taken from the existing fund balances or cash reserves for certain planned capital improvement projects. Moreover, the budget is balanced because the fund balances or cash reserves will remain positive in each of the funds – totaling about $13 million at the end of FY2023.
Some of the highlights from the proposed budget include the following:
- $1.70 million will be utilized by the Fire/Rescue Department to respond to medical emergencies, fires, vehicular accidents and other rescues.
- $619k will be spent to supplement the work of the Ottawa County Sheriff′s Department, paying for a portion of five (5) deputies that work exclusively within the Township.
- $1.53 million for transportation activities, including:
- $531k for Harbor Transit on-demand bus service.
- $963k to supplement the work of the Road Commission and re-surface certain subdivision streets.
- $37k for dust control on gravel roads.
- $3.64 million for parks maintenance and capital projects, with about $546k being paid by State grants. Some of the major projects include:
- $2.20 million to complete the Schmidt Heritage Park Phase I project.
- $670k to complete the Hofma Park Improvements.
- $687k for parks maintenance and operations.
- $13k to raze and remove the two (2) structures on the Groesbeck Street property that will be purchased later this year and added to Hofma Preserve.
- $210k to maintain and operate the Township′s two cemeteries.
- $676k for maintenance of the Township′s 40-mile pathway and sidewalk system.
- $133k for street lighting.
- $65k for a one school and bond election in May of 2023.
- $139k for storm drain maintenance.
- $679k to operate the sanitary sewer system (i.e., about 22 miles of sewer mains), including treating an estimated 112.1 million gallons of sewage.
- $2.89 million to operate the water distribution system (i.e., about 95 miles of water mains), including $814k to purchase 739 million gallons of water.
- $423k for the operation and maintenance of the Township′s Information Technology (IT) system.
- $643k for debt payments on outstanding bonds. (Bonds are substantially similar to mortgage payments that residents pay on their homes — paying for large infrastructure projects overtime at fixed interest rates.)
If you have any questions regarding the FY2023 budget or the fiscal health of the Township, please email Superintendent Cargo at bcargo@ght.org. |
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This year is the 32nd year of the Angel Tree Toy Drive – a program that Township staff and elected officials have voluntarily supported for over a decade.
The Angel Tree program affords our struggling neighbors′ comfort in knowing they will be able to deliver a joyful holiday for their families. Last year, thanks to so many that donated, 13,378 children across the West Michigan region had their Christmas morning brightened with a gift.
If you wish to donate a gift, please stop by the Township offices, and take a tag from our Angel tree in lobby of our administrative building.
Once purchased, you may drop off the unwrapped gift at the Township offices. All toys/donations that are received at the Township offices will remain in our community.
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Voter turn-out in last week′s mid-term elections was relatively high↑. Specifically, Grand Haven Charter Township′s seven (7) precincts had the following turnout:
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Precinct #1: 1,284 of 1,819 registered voters participated – which is 70.59%
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Precinct #2: 1,064 of 2,302 registered voters participated – which is 46.22%
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Precinct #3: 1,674 of 2,234 registered voters participated – which is 74.93%
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Precinct #4: 1,284 of 2,117 registered voters participated – which is 60.65%
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Precinct #5: 1,858 of 2,509 registered voters participated – which is 74.05%
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Precinct #6: 997 of 1,723 registered voters participated – which is 57.86%
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Precinct #7: 1,805 of 2,551 registered voters participated – which is 70.76%
How does this compare to national averages? More than 158.4 million people voted nationwide amounting to 62.8% of people of voting age – which is a level not seen for a few decades.
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Median Household Income - Census Data |
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Median household income is one measure of a community′s overall economic health and is used, in part, when addressing Affordable Housing and/or Missing Middle Housing.
That said, the median household income will vary widely from community to community. For example, in Northwest Ottawa County, the median family income as determined from the 2020 Census is as follows:
- $85,457 - Grand Haven Charter Township
- $81,686 - Port Sheldon Township
- $70,712 - Spring Lake Township (which includes Spring Lake Village)
- $67,179 - Ferrysburg City
- $54,270 - Grand Haven City
A graphic breakdown of the distribution of median household in the Township by census track is shown below – and, as expected, the lowest↓ household incomes are found in the manufactured housing developments and the apartment complexes with the highest↑ are found along the lake and in the newer subdivisions.
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Township Questions?
If you have specific questions about Township operations, please send an email to bcargo@ght.org .
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