Commission records $3.5 million Mott Foundation grant for regional trails in budget update

During a budget transfer and update the director told commissioners that the county had received a $3,500,000 grant from the Mott Foundation to begin implementing a multi-year regional trails plan. The director stated plainly: "We got another 3,500,000 from the Mott Foundation for implementing, regional trails, which is good."

A later speaker noted the grant represents the kickoff of the first year of a five-year strategic trails plan and said commissioners and the board would see more trail projects and funding moving forward. Commissioners approved the requested budget adjustments by voice vote; staff indicated additional budgeting and program steps will follow to allocate and implement the trail plan.

The budget adjustments discussed at the meeting also included a roughly $185,000 increase in federal-highways revenue and a reconciliation returning $5,025 of local contribution back to a foundation from a prior grant close-out. Staff said they would bring a full budget package back to the committee and board for formal allocation.