TRAVERSE CITY — A city commission ad hoc committee will begin discussions on funding priorities for the Brown Bridge Trust Fund.
The City of Traverse City owns parkland southeast of the city limits within East Bay Township called the Brown Bridge Quiet Area. Any money the city makes from oil and gas exploration in the park, per city charter, must be placed in the Brown Bridge Trust Fund.
Yearly interest on the trust fund’s principal is then transferred to the city’s general fund. Money used from the trust fund principal, exceeding $12 million for a five-year period, has to be approved by city voters.
At their May 19 meeting, the city commission agreed to the ad hoc committee’s recommendation to put two Brown Bridge Trust Fund proposals on the November 4 ballot.
The money would be used for parkland acquisition and capital improvements to city parks. Voters previously approved such requests in 2014 and 2019. Upgrades were made at the Brown Bridge Quiet Area, Hickory Hills, Ashton Park, F&M Park, Hannah Park, Lay Park, Wags West Dog Park and at the Senior Center.
At their next meeting, the ad hoc committee will begin talks and hear public comment on how to prioritize which projects need to be done before absentee ballots are issued in September.
That meeting is at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 18 in the 2nd floor training room at the Governmental Center, 400 Boardman Avenue.