Stearns Park parking fees May shift burden from Ludington homeowners

Homeowners in the City of Ludington currently pay significantly higher property taxes than those in surrounding townships, a disparity driving a new proposal to charge non-residents for parking at Stearns Park. Analysis of three comparable $200,000 homes shows that a Ludington resident pays approximately $1,359 more annually in property taxes than a neighbor in Pere Marquette Township and $1,549 more than one in Hamlin Township.

The primary driver of this cost difference is the city's responsibility for Stearns Park, which costs approximately $350,000 annually to maintain and operate. While townships like Hamlin and Pere Marquette maintain millage rates around 25.200, the City of Ludington’s rate of 40.6725 results in a tax bill that is 33.4% higher than Pere Marquette and 38.1% higher than Hamlin.

The Ludington City Council is currently exploring whether to ask non-Ludington residents to contribute to the park's upkeep through parking fees. Under the proposed concept, city residents would continue to park for free, having already supported the facility through their higher property taxes, while outside visitors would help shoulder the financial responsibility.

Read the full story at shorelinemedia.net.