MIDLAND, Mich. (WJRT) - Tensions were high and the room was packed in Midland as the Four Lakes Task Force approved two resolutions Tuesday for restoring lakes wiped out in the Edenville Dam disaster.
The task force, which has authority over the Edenville, Sanford, Secord and Smallwood dams, is taking the next step in possibly restoring the now empty Mid-Michigan lakes.
The boards of commissioners for both Gladwin and Midland counties held a joint meeting at Dow Diamond. All members in attendance voted to approve the five-year operation and maintenance costs, capital assessment cost and a financing plan.
Following the vote, there was an hour of public comment. Most residents support refilling the lakes, but they say the costs to families and local businesses owners is too much.
The Four Lakes Task Force received nearly $182 million worth of grants to rebuild the dams. But the task force needs to collect about $217 million from residents and businesses near the lakes to pay for the project.
Kevin Ayers, a homeowner on Wixom Lake, said he's facing a $27,000 bill from the tax assessment.
"I can understand rebuilding the dams and I can understand as a lake owner that I should share a sizable portion of the burden," he said. "But to share it alone, I think, is asking a tremendous amount of the people that live on the lakes."
The task force says anyone who objected to the assessments has the right to file an appeal in the next 15 days with Midland County Circuit Court.
