After multiple meetings and careful deliberation, the Mecosta County Board of Commissioners have finalized the recipients of the county's marijuana excise tax funds from fiscal year 2024.
In total, the county recieved over $2.05 million in 41 different fund requests from 36 local entities. Of these requests, $773,743 will be allocated to 24 local organizations. These allocations and amounts will be voted on Thursday morning, July 3, at 9:00 a.m. at the Mecosta County Services building.
Her's a breakdown of the Mecosta County MET fund allocations to be approved at Thursday's meeting:
- Green Charter Township - $193,987
- For legal fees regarding the lawsuit with Gotion, Inc.
- Requested: $200,000
- For legal fees regarding the lawsuit with Gotion, Inc.
- Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office - $193,140
- To purchase body cameras, tasers, security resources, and hands-free lights
- Requested: $331,140
- To purchase body cameras, tasers, security resources, and hands-free lights
- Save the Paris Ponds - $100,000
- For construction costs to replace the raceway wall
- Requested: $180,000
- For construction costs to replace the raceway wall
- Mecosta Township Fire Department - $36,341
- For the purchase of a new extrication tool
- Requested: $36,341
- For the purchase of a new extrication tool
- Barryton/Fork Township - $34,845
- To purchase a new emergency siren
- Requested: $34,845
- To purchase a new emergency siren
- Manna Pantry of Big Rapids - $25,000
- For the purchase of additional food
- Requested: $25,000
- For the purchase of additional food
- Morley Area Fire and Rescue - $24,830
- To purchase a new 3’x6’ fire department sign
- Requested: $24,830
- To purchase a new 3’x6’ fire department sign
- Eagle Village of Hersey - $20,000
- For continued operations and resources
- Requested: $100,000
- For continued operations and resources
- Mecosta County Habitat for Humanity - $20,000
- For ongoing projects and resources
- Requested: $100,000
- For ongoing projects and resources
- Chippewa/Martiny Township Fire Department - $19,000
- To purchase new fire hoses and additional gear
- Requested: $19,000
- To purchase new fire hoses and additional gear
- Angels of Action of Big Rapids - $17,500
- For roof and HVAC improvements
- Requested: $50,000
- For roof and HVAC improvements
- Mecosta County Commission on Aging - $12,500
- To purchase essential elder care items
- Requested: $25,000
- To purchase essential elder care items
- Project Starburst of Big Rapids - $12,500
- For food and hygiene items
- Requested: $25,000
- For food and hygiene items
- Our Brother’s Keeper of Big Rapids - $11,500
- To fund “Path to Safety” program
- Requested: $60,000
- To fund “Path to Safety” program
- Sisters of Sobriety of Big Rapids - $10,000
- To purchase two new refrigerators and support operations
- Requested: $22,000
- To purchase two new refrigerators and support operations
- WISE of Big Rapids - $10,000
- For new safety equipment
- Requested: $25,000
- For new safety equipment
- Barryton Food Pantry - $9,000
- To purchase additional food
- Requested: $12,000
- To purchase additional food
- Village of Barryton - $6,000
- For engineering and sidewalk improvements
- Requested: $83,000
- For engineering and sidewalk improvements
- Morley War Memorial - $4,500
- For upgrades to the war memorial
- Requested: $20,000
- For upgrades to the war memorial
- Life Resources of Northern Michigan - $4,000
- For outreach and advertising costs
- Requested: $52,000
- For outreach and advertising costs
- Mecosta County Circuit Court - $3,000
- To purchase a courtroom monitor
- Requested: $3,000
- To purchase a courtroom monitor
- Barryton Library - $2,500
- For new flooring in the building
- Requested: $6,700
- For new flooring in the building
- Lions Club of Big Rapids - $2,000
- To purchase eyeglasses
- Requested: $6,000
- To purchase eyeglasses
- Village of Mecosta - $1,600
- For building upgrades and improvements
- Requested: $19,500
- For building upgrades and improvements
On the other hand, 15 local entities did not recieve funds in this allocation cycle. These requests totaled $729,136.
Here’s a breakdown of the Mecosta County MET funds to be rejected at Thursday’s meeting:
- Mecosta County Road Commission - $0
- For the purchase of brine (road salt)
- Requested: $180,000
- For the purchase of brine (road salt)
- Crossroads Charter Academy - $0
- For gymnasium and building upgrades
- Requested: $84,000
- For gymnasium and building upgrades
- Jonah Foundation of Big Rapids - $0
- For the purchase of a house
- Requested: $75,000
- For the purchase of a house
- Mecosta County Building & Zoning - $0
- For a discounted building permit
- Requested: $75,000
- For a discounted building permit
- Wheatland Township/Remus - $0
- For building a pickleball court facility with a fence
- Requested: $35,000
- For building a pickleball court facility with a fence
- Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) Mecosta - $0
- For cat neutering equipment/resources
- Requested: $30,000
- For cat neutering equipment/resources
- Mecosta/Osceola County Court - $0
- For various treatment resources
- Requested: $29,308
- For various treatment resources
- Mecosta Conservation District - $0
- For ecology outreach and resources
- Requested: $25,000
- For ecology outreach and resources
- Remus Downtown Development Authority - $0
- For new playground equipment
- Requested: $25,000
- For new playground equipment
- Corewell Health of Big Rapids - $0
- For suicide prevention resources
- Requested: $25,000
- For suicide prevention resources
- Mecosta County Emergency Management - $0
- To purchase a new rescue trike
- Requested: $21,828
- To purchase a new rescue trike
- Third Avenue Soup Kitchen - $0
- For funding to purchase food
- Requested: $12,000
- For funding to purchase food
- Remus Historical Society - $0
- For purchasing a new door and security equipment
- Requested: $7,000
- For purchasing a new door and security equipment
For more information, visit the Board of Commissioners packet here: MECOSTA BOC PACKET JULY 3, 2025
