State budget proposal targets $30 million to Witwer’s district

The state House district of Rep. Angela Witwer, D-Delta Township, is in line to get $29.94 million under the proposed Michigan state budget, should all earmarks get approved. The grants for 10 projects in the House district 76 would be used for public safety, infrastructure and education initiatives.

One of the largest requests, $4 million, would go to the Eaton Regional Education Service Agency in Charlotte. It would fund capital improvements and updated equipment to benefit agricultural education programs, including Future Farmers of America.

Delta Township seeks two grants totaling $3.3 million; one would channel $400,000 to the fire department for its ambulance service.

A separate $2.9 million request would fund reconstruction work at the Carrier Creek crossing along state highway M-43. The money would be used to repair a retaining wall, a storm sewer and a pedestrian pathway.

Eaton County requests two grants totaling $12.5 million.

The smaller request of $2.5 million in state taxpayer funds would be used to replace the county’s animal control facility. Witwer’s statement justifying the request cites structural deficiencies, failing utilities and outdated equipment that threaten both animal welfare and staff safety.

Eaton County would get $10 million in state funds for the Bank Intercounty Drain Project, which effects Lansing Township, Delta Township and the county. The total cost of the project is an estimated $60 million.

Another grant request Witwer submitted would allocate $4 million to pay for demolition, environmental remediation, and redevelopment work at the blighted Horner Mill Site in Eaton Rapids.

Eaton Rapids requests $2.6 million to replace a 100-foot aerial fire truck. The funding document states that the truck has become unreliable and costly to maintain.

Eaton County’s Hamlin Township seeks $750,000 to replace a 20-year-old pumper/tanker truck that has suffered extended downtime and operational issues in local areas that lack fire hydrants.

Windsor Township requests $2 million to connect the Grand Pointe subdivision and nearby homes to the Lansing Board of Water and Light system, to replace an aging private well.

The subdivision was not connected to a municipal water source when it was built.

Theroux Development Company, the owner of the subdivision’s only water source, threatened to terminate household water service on Dec. 1, 2023, unless residents signed a water service agreement that significantly raised rates, said the Grande Pointe homeowners association.

The developer would have obtained almost total control of the water and residents would give up their rights to hold it accountable, the association said.

Neighborhood residents are working with Windsor Township on plans to determine a special assessment to help fund the transition to the Lansing utility.

Witwer did not respond to an email seeking comment.