The South Haven City Council has approved its list of priorities for the next fiscal year, outlining goals members want to pursue.
At a meeting this week, City Manager Kate Hosier presented the updated list to council, noting there are four key areas cited. They are the continued development and implementation of the lifeguard program, enforcement of the new short-term rental licensing program, the development of new housing, and one new goal.
“We’ve restated that what we believe the council would like to see for the priorities, as well as adding the portion about the urgent care and expanding medical facilities,” Hosier said.
The council did get some good news on that front last month with the announcement of a new Corewell urgent care facility coming to South Haven Township.
Also Monday, council approved the new budget. Hosier was asked if she has a firm grasp on the cost of the new lifeguard program, and she said some things still aren’t known.
“I do want to assure the council that we are using the beach parking fund and any reserves in there to make sure that we’re covering our costs. We do hope that as we’ve changed the parking resolution and the parking fees that we’ll have that money coming in. But right now it’s a little nebulous. We’re making our best prognostication as to what that’s going to be.”
Significant items in the new budget include $110,000 reserved for renovations at Packard Park, $1.375 million for electric distribution upgrades, water system improvements, and continued collaboration with Market One and the South Haven Regional Business Hub. The budget anticipates a decrease in the fund balance and a decrease in General Fund revenues, but the long-term outlook for revenues is listed as relatively stable.
