Residents along four lakes in Midland and Gladwin Counties voiced their displeasure with the Four Lakes Task Force on Monday.
MIDLAND, Mich. (WJRT) - Many people went to Dow Diamond in Midland Monday night to express their displeasure with the special assessments they will have to pay to bring back four lakes in Midland and Gladwin Counties.
Many residents during the meeting say that they should be paying this much, while some say they can't afford it.
A lot of emotion came as the boards approved two resolutions, allowing two special assessments for the Four Lakes Task Force as it implements its plan to restore the four dams to create Wixom, Sanford, Secord and Smallwood Lakes. Other people voiced their displeasure because the public comment portion of the meeting happened after the vote.
"We are paying for all of this. We are not allowed to say anything, and they won't talk to us," a man says during public comment. "That's fine. You can have me removed. Because you what we are going to do, we are going to have all of you removed."
The cost of the project has increased since July 2022 from $250 to $398 million. Residents who have to pay the assessments believe the financial burden should be spread to others.
"Multiple residents of other counties come in and utilize these waters," says a woman from Monday's meeting. "This should not be on the backs of property owners here. It's a travesty."
Other residents who voiced their concerns during the meeting want legislators in Lansing to help out more. Some want everyone to call the Governor's office every day, while others are telling the task members to continue to find the right solution to fix the problem.
The Four Lakes Task Force is still hoping to lower the assessments if they can get more state or federal funding. The assessments are believed to cost property owners as high as $2,900 to as low as $216 a year for the next 40 years.
