Summary
The Leelanau Township Board reviewed a draft 6-Year Capital Improvement Plan (2026-2031) covering Facilities and Roads, dated March 24, 2026. The plan outlines projected expenses and millage-funded revenue for township facilities including the Woolsey Airport, Township Hall, cemetery building, and several parks, as well as a road improvement program contingent on a new 0.3 mill levy. No public comments, votes, or affordable housing discussion appear in this planning document.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Braman Hill: 2026 seal coat and bike trail completion ($17,500); 2027 accessibility study and shooting range review, new signage ($16,000); 2027-2028 private road improvements (up to $200,000, split $100,000/year) and a picnic pavilion (~$25,000, with grant match); 2029-2031 pickleball court refinishing ($350,000 assumed, $50,000/year), likely requiring 50% grant match. A professional-grade skate park was requested by Parks and Rec, with separate funding to be sought.
Christmas Cove: 2027 ADA beach path and rain garden (EGLE grant applied for, ~$26,000 match); Parks and Rec recommended a master plan (~$15,000 additional); 2028-2029 new bathroom/changing room ($100,000 total, 50% match); 2029-2030 parking redo ($130,000 total, 50% match).
Buster Dame Park: 2027 playground grant application ($10,000); 2028 playground ($120,000, 50% match=$60,000); 2029 picnic/trails ($25,000, match $12,500); 2030 parking improvement ($30,000).
Omena Beach: 2027 accessibility/erosion control (~$30,000, township share $15,000 with grants), mobimat ($900), crosswalk via Road Commission; LCRC will improve Omena Pt Road through the park in 2026. 2028 toilet, fence, picnic and erosion improvements ($10,000).
Peterson Park: 2026 grill replacement ($1,600) and handrail/signage ($10,000) per Parks and Rec request; 2027 grill replacement ($1,600); 2028 ingress/egress safety study ($30,000, match $15,000); 2028-2029 viewing platform/toilets (~$70,000, match $35,000); 2030 safety improvements ($20,000 grant, match $10,000). General parks maintenance estimated at $10,000-$20,000/year.
Infrastructure Projects
Woolsey Airport: Hangars need roofing/repair, estimated $50,000 total ($25,000/year for two years); demand for additional hangars remains strong. Terminal repairs began in 2025 using $100,000 township funds plus LTCF grants/donations (total ~$132,000, including a $6,000 LTCF grant for a grant writer); an additional $50,000 is planned for 2026, to be matched with $100,000 in donations.
Roads: A proposed new 0.3 mill levy would generate an estimated $186,900 annually. With costs split 25% township/25% property owners/50% road commission, the township could devote $180,000-$250,000 yearly over six years to bring local roads to a PASER score of 5.
Other Business
Township Hall: Needs a new roof, heating plant, ADA-compliant bathrooms, and renovation, or a new hall built north of the Fire Hall. Based on a comparable $10 million/10,000 sf Traverse City renovation, an 8,000 sf renovation could cost proportionally ~$800,000. Plan proposes $200,000/year in 2027-2029, plus $50,000 in 2026 for architectural/engineering study, appraisal, and new furniture. Cemetery repair building improvements (heat, bathroom) estimated at $270,000 are on hold pending the Town Hall decision, needed by 2030 if no new hall is built.
Financial Summary
- Total facilities expense projected: $154,100 (2026), $208,600 (2027), $327,500 (2028), $330,000 (2029), $250,000 (2030), $370,000 (2031).
- Facilities millage revenue: $311,500/year (2027-2031); combined Fac/Rd millage revenue of $93,450 x 0.5 allocated to facilities in 2026.
- Roads expense: $260,000 (2026), $200,000 (2027), then $242,970/year (2028-2031, based on $186,900 x 1.3).
- Roads millage revenue: $186,900/year (2027-2031), plus $93,450 x 0.5 in 2026.
- Many park and facility projects assume 50% grant match requirements.
Action Items
- Pursue EGLE grant match (~$26,000) for Christmas Cove ADA path/rain garden, funds anticipated January 2027 if approved.
- Seek playground grant for Buster Dame Park (2027 planning, $10,000).
- Apply for accessibility/erosion grants at Omena Beach (2027).
- Complete architectural/engineering study and appraisal for Township Hall vs. new building in 2026 ($50,000).
- Pursue separate funding for a professional-grade skate park at Braman Hill per Parks and Rec request.
- Consider new 0.3 mill road levy to fund road program.