Summary
The Leelanau Township Board reviewed a draft 6-Year Capital Improvement Plan (Facilities and Roads, dated March 6, 2026) covering 2026-2031. The plan outlines projected costs and funding for township facilities, parks, the Woolsey Airport, Township Hall, and roads, financed largely through facilities/roads millage revenue and grant matching funds. No formal votes are recorded in the document.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Braman Hill: Parks and Rec would like a professional-grade skate park (separate funding to be sought); 2026 seal coat and bike trail work totals $17,500; a shaded bench was placed near the pickleball courts in 2025. 2027 plans include an accessibility study ($30,000, assume $15,000 grant match) and signage ($1,000). Road improvements (private road) may cost up to $200,000 over 2027-2028. A picnic pavilion (~$25,000) is planned with an estimated $12,500 grant match. Pickleball court refinishing ($350,000 assumed) is planned for 2029-2031 at $50,000/year, likely requiring 50% grant match.
Christmas Cove: 2027 ADA path and rain garden, EGLE grant applied for (50% match, ~$26,000); Parks and Rec recommended a master plan (~$15,000 additional). Bathroom/changing room ($100,000, 50% match) planned 2028-2029. Parking redo planned 2029-2030 ($130,000 total, 50% match).
Buster Dame Park: Playground planning ($10,000, 2027), playground construction ($120,000, 50% match, 2028), picnic/trails ($25,000, 50% match, 2029), parking improvements ($30,000, 2030).
Omena Beach: Accessibility/erosion control (~$30,000, 2027), toilet/fence/picnic improvements ($10,000, 2028). LCRC will improve Omena Pt Road in 2026 through the park.
Peterson Park: Grill replacements ($1,600, 2026 and 2027). Parks and Rec requested handrails and signage ($10,000, 2026) and suggested a safety study for ingress/egress ($30,000, 2028, $15,000 match) and a viewing platform/toilets ($70,000, split 2028-2029, 50% match).
General parks maintenance: $10,000-$20,000/year estimated for major repairs.
Infrastructure Projects
Woolsey Airport: Hangar roofing/repair estimated at $50,000, with $25,000 set aside for two years; additional hangar capacity needed due to strong demand. Terminal repairs begun in 2025 ($100,000 township funds plus LTCF grants/donations, total ~$132,000); a $6,000 LTCF grant funded a grant writer; $50,000 more planned for 2026, to be matched with $100,000 in donations.
Township Hall: Needs new roof, heating plant, ADA bathrooms; renovation could cost ~$850,000 based on comparison to Traverse City government building renovation costs. $200,000/year proposed for 2027-2029; $50,000 budgeted in 2026 for architectural/engineering study and appraisal comparing renovation vs. new construction (potentially built north of the Fire Hall). New furniture also included in 2026 budget.
Cemetery repair building: Needs heat and bathroom; estimated $270,000 if new Township Hall isn't built by 2030; decision deferred.
Roads: A proposed new 0.03 mill levy would generate an estimated $186,900/year. With costs split 25% township/25% property owners/50% road commission, $180,000-$250,000/year could be devoted to roads over six years to bring all township roads to a PASER score of 5.
Financial Summary
Total facilities expense projections: $154,100 (2026), $208,600 (2027), $327,500 (2028), $330,000 (2029), $250,000 (2030), $370,000 (2031). Facilities millage revenue projected at $311,500/year (2027-2031) plus $90,000 (0.5 x Fac/Rd millage) in 2026. Estimated facilities fund balances range from $287,016 (2026) to $352,816 (2031), with remaining balances after expenses ranging from $222,916 to $294,316.
Roads expense projected at $260,000 (2026), $186,900 (2027), and $242,970/year (2028-2031, based on $186,000 x 1.3). Roads millage revenue projected at $186,900/year (2027-2031) plus $90,000 in 2026. Estimated roads fund balances decline from $444,616 (2026) to $106,406 (2031), with remaining balances dropping to $50,336 by 2031.
Action Items
- Seek separate funding for a professional-grade skate park at Braman Hill.
- Pursue EGLE grant (50% match) for Christmas Cove ADA path/rain garden, expected available January 2027.
- Apply for playground grant at Buster Dame Park (2027 planning phase).
- Conduct architectural/engineering study and appraisal for Township Hall (2026, $50,000 budgeted).
- Consider new 0.03 mill road levy to fund road improvements to PASER score of 5.
- Refer to separate EMS Capital Improvement Plan for related items.