There will be no significant changes in the process used to review applications for 2% funding from the Grand Traverse Band (GTB) of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.
The county Board of Commissioners, after much discussion and more than one vote, supported a three-page policy for entertaining 2% grant applications.
A 1993 consent judgment in Tribes v. Engler, states that each tribe will determine which local unit or units of government shall receive payments; for governmental services provided to the tribes and for impact association with the existence and location of the tribal casino in its vicinity.
The county board twice a year examines 2% applications for endorsement and sent on to the GTB for consideration. However, there have been questions about whether the requests are meant for a government or non-profit organization.
District No. 3 commissioner Will Bunek has argued that too much of the 2% allocation funding is going to nonprofits when the funding should be used for government entities.
He continued to hold his ground Tuesday night.
“I want to know how does this process help schools and other governments,” Bunek said. “These are not grants. They are payment in lieu of taxes.”
Bunek has said he’s not against nonprofits receiving funding through 2% allocation, but would like to see more local government costs reimbursed through GTB 2% distributions.
The new process, as proposed included a committee review of the grant applications as well as the county administrator before recommendations for full board action. However, the committee was pulled from the document Tuesday night.
Audience members also chimed in and had their say during public comment.
Among them was Suttons Bay School ered in the fall. However, taxes will have already been collected by then.
District 1 commissioner Rick Robbins was also hesitant to reduce the millage further.
“I wish you would have come in with some figures,” he said.“If you reduce (revenue) by $100,000, that comes out to 40 cents per person. That is a slap in the face of the taxpayers.”
District 5 commissioner Alan Campbell said he’s confident that federal and state funding will come through for budget year 2026.
“I’m concerned about the general fund,” Campbell said. “We’re not swimming in money. I don’t feel comfortable reducing the rate right now.”
Board chairman Steve Yoder was also uncomfortable with Bunek’s proposal.
“Let’s keep it as is and consider it next year,” he said.
Bunek’s motion to reduce the millage failed with him casting the lone vote in favor.
A second motion, to set the rate at 3.252 mills, (as previously recommended), was approved 5-1 with Bunek voting no.
The millage rate is down from the 3.3083 mills levied in July 2024. It is expected to generate $13,685,557.
