Thanks all for contacting the Charlevoix County Board of Commissioners.
Regarding the estimated SAD figures that were previously in this post (since updated) – the Six Mile Lake Association board simply took the overall estimated project cost and averaged it among the 2000 or so properties along the Chain in both Antrim and Charlevoix counties. The numbers in the SMLA email are not Leslie’s numbers. Those numbers were ESTIMATED by us because we simply wanted to get an idea of what the potential cost per property COULD be…not what it will be. Leslie is currently working on the final numbers but keep in mind that different types of properties along the Chain will have different assessment amounts based on use and benefit. This is not a one size fits all and not having these numbers readily available is a sticking point with the Charlevoix County Board of Commissioners.
The Ellsworth Culvert project was put together by an independent group in Ellsworth, NOT the village of Ellsworth. It is not the 21 foot box bridge proposed by Spicer Engineers who will be the contractors doing the work on the Bellaire Dam. It is a 28 foot covered bridge with funds primarily being raised through donations and cost estimates are anywhere from 3 million and upwards. The first public meeting is June 25th. The Six Mile Lake Association board just learned about this through an invitation from this group. Leslie plans on attending to learn more as well.
The last point I want to make is that the flooding along the Chain will continue. It will continue and it will get worse. While we argue about final numbers it’s safe to say that we property owners will be the ones paying for this. The respective counties collect the money from OUR property taxes and that money is used to pay for the project. Meanwhile we are the ones trying to save our properties. We are the ones that are losing our frontage and some are losing their homes. EVERY line of communication should be open between these two counties to move this project forward as Leslie Meyers continues to do her best to solve the flooding issues we are facing.
Continue to send your photos. Continue to talk to your neighbors. Continue to write and email both sets of county commissioners and your Six Mile Lake Association board will do our best to keep everyone informed.
Cherie Hogan
Communications/Membership