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July 29, 2010

Conservation millage sought in Benzie

Funds would compensate for state budget cuts

BY LINDSAY VANHULLE lvanhulle@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — Benzie County voters will be asked to approve a millage for conservation efforts to make up for cuts in state funding.

The Benzie Conservation District is seeking 0.1 mills for four years on the Aug. 3 ballot. Its Beulah office is a local access point for state and federal environmental resources. Its projects include invasive species and water quality.

Owners of a home with a taxable value of $100,000 would see $10 a year on their tax bills, and the millage would generate about $108,000 in the first year.

The amount is "certainly enough to get us to be a working office again," said Tad Peacock, its administrator. "We're trying to do these things without financial support, and of course it's impossible."

Funding for conservation districts around Michigan were eliminated in the 2010 state budget. State funds declined from $916,800 in 2008 to $756,800 in 2009, said Jennifer Holton, a Michigan Department of Agriculture spokeswoman. Individual district allocations dropped from $20,000 in 2002 to $9,600 last year, Holton said.

Benzie County's district is, to her knowledge, the only one seeking a millage in August, said Lori Phalen, executive director of the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts. St. Clair County's district plans one in November.

If the Benzie millage fails, Peacock said services could be reduced or the district could close, raising concerns about the effects on county farmers, landowners and outdoor visitors.

"I'm sure there will still be some people out there looking after our natural resources," he said. "But it wouldn't be as concerted an effort."

Millage revenue would fund staff members to work on such projects as technology and forestry, Peacock said. He works part-time now and is the only paid employee.

Fundraisers, donations and grants make up the majority of the district's income. Spending has outpaced revenue in recent years, according to its annual reports. Revenue dropped from $118,001 in 2007 to $37,862 last year, reports show.

Part of the reason is the availability of grants, Peacock said. Some require agencies to match funds, but the district can't afford to do so.

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