Every Dollar Counts: Fiscal Responsibility and Pragmatism are Paramount

We’re all closely watching our dollars, but residents should trust that our elected leaders are diligent decision-makers. I want to bring a strategic lens to Township planning and spending.

It’s common to hear Townships boast about things like Moody’s AAA Bond Ratings and earning good marks for transparent financial audits. However, everyday investments and missed revenue opportunities over the past four years prompt questions:

• Tuffy Lease. The Township Board paid $350,000 to end the lease on this property early. While many residents know that Bobby was ready to retire eventually, this beloved local business could have continued to operate and extend the Township’s revenue stream. Could any of the grant funds noted to be part of this investment been used to address other projects and priorities? 
• Township Staff Turnover. The average cost to hire a new employee is $4,700 when factoring in recruitment, training, skills assessments, background checks, and more. Cascade Township has lost several employees within the past four years, many occurring multiple times within the same role. What is causing the departures in roles like Manager, Parks Director, Zoning Administrator, Marketing & Communications, and more?
• Cascade’s Fire Station. I fully support our local heroes and the millages that fund our public safety services. However, residents may not realize the Township spent more than anticipated on this project: 
  • March 2021: The Board was ready to proceed with a preferred station design, but there was an unexpected request to pause the project for at least six months to allow time to tour other stations and find ways to cut costs, without much specificity. 
  • January – April 2022: The Board decides on the station’s alternate design, which differs from the preferences of the fire department and taxpayers, and sets a new higher budget range of $8.5 - $10.5 million due to “market changes, supply chain issues, and new ordinance requirements.” Citizen comments include:
    • “Disappointed that the Board did not listen to the public, citizens, nor firefighters. Hopes it doesn’t turn out to be a disaster.”
    • “Everyone said they wanted Design 1, and you picked Design 2. This is a waste of $600,000.”
    • “Repeated asks for a list of projects, timelines, and estimated vs. final budgets on the website.”
  • October 2023: The new station opens with a final cost of $10.9 million and several reminders that the project was completed on time and “within budget.” Was this positioned honestly to residents, and was there any accountability for the Board’s role on the effect of delays and market changes? 
  • During this same timeframe, a resident voiced concerns over the budget and final cost of the new Township offices.
  • As the Township continues to extend surveys, is it worth the cost and labor if feedback is not considered?
• Walkable Village and Bridges. Investments are being made to prioritize the construction of pedestrian bridges over the Thornapple River on Cascade Road and on Burton Street over I-96. Yet, there is still no plan for village elements or initiatives to attract small businesses like boutiques or bookstores to inspire more visits. Vehicle speeds and unsafe pedestrian passages still pose a risk along Cascade Road. Resident comments:
  • “The Burton bridge is a colossal waste of taxpayer money. The new pathways are not used much, and the current trails are run down.”
  • “The Burton Street Pedestrian Bridge is a bridge to nowhere and was lower down the list of Township projects.”
  • Residents have requested more financial transparency and progress reporting on significant investments. Communication about developments is not up to date. The Township has purchased multiple properties, including the Stone House on Orange Street.
  • What is the anticipated cost to taxpayers to cover these properties while planning continues?
• Park and Path Investments. Cascade Township has been in a planning mode for nearly four years now – for the Township and its parks. Many of the requests residents have been making since early 2021, including better maintenance of fields at Cascade Township’s Recreation Park, and pleas for enhanced pedestrian safety along Cascade Road have gone unaddressed.
  • What is the cost of all of this planning and surveying and re-surveying?
  • Is there continuity with these initiatives and where things stand when staff turnover occurs?
  • Are there financial effects on the delays or extensive planning timeframes?
    • For example, in 2022, it was noted that four sections of pathway repairs cost the Township $1.44M. The Engineer charged over $700K. Would routine maintenance create less costly repairs?
    • Does rebuilding rather than properly maintaining these recreational facilities become more costly?
• Other Financial Risk Factors. Is the Township well-prepared to manage our aging river dam? Are there funds for anticipated and unanticipated Township litigation?

Together with Board of Trustees peers, I am eager to increase visibility into expected costs and outcomes communicating early and often about budgets and realities. I also invite expert perspective from engineers and contractors on industry developments that might influence timing or the cost of goods. 

Most important, I'd like to help Cascade grow out of its "set it and forget it" approach where projects are implemented without assessing the bandwidth or labor to maintain them. Stronger reporting and project management will help to ensure continuity through staff transitions and help keep taxpayers informed.