County reduces admin fee for DNR fisheries grant at Crandall Park to 3%

Parks staff asked the committee to waive the county's 15% grant administrative fee for a DNR Fisheries & Wildlife grant so the full $110,000 could go to on-the-ground fish habitat work at Crandall Park. Staff said the grant would be a $100,000 DNR award plus a $10,000 local match from parks millage funds.

Commissioners debated whether to waive the fee entirely or set a reduced percentage. Supporters said maximizing project funds mattered for public benefit; others said the controller’s office must be compensated for grant administration work. After discussion of past fee handling and a planned grant‑policy revision, Commissioner Shaver moved to set the admin fee at 3% for this grant. The committee moved and supported the amendment and approved sending the amended resolution to the full board.

Parks staff characterized the project as fish‑habitat improvements along the shoreline and placed logs in the lake ("fish sticks") to support future stocking and recreational fishing at one of Eaton County’s few public fishing lakes. Staff also noted the county’s grant-policy work is ongoing; the administration will come back with a clearer, tiered policy that matches administrative effort to a fee schedule.