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.
- Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office - $193,140
- 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
- Mecosta Township Fire Department - $36,341
- For the purchase of a new extrication tool
- Barryton/Fork Township - $34,845
- To purchase a new emergency siren
- Manna Pantry of Big Rapids - $25,000
- For the purchase of additional food
- Morley Area Fire and Rescue - $24,830
- To purchase a new 3’x6’ fire department sign
- Eagle Village of Hersey - $20,000
- For continued operations and resources
- Mecosta County Habitat for Humanity - $20,000
- For ongoing projects and resources
- Chippewa/Martiny Township Fire Department - $19,000
- To purchase new fire hoses and additional gear
- Angels of Action of Big Rapids - $17,500
- For roof and HVAC improvements
- Mecosta County Commission on Aging - $12,500
- To purchase essential elder care items
- Project Starburst of Big Rapids - $12,500
- For food and hygiene items
- Our Brother’s Keeper of Big Rapids - $11,500
- To fund “Path to Safety” program
- Sisters of Sobriety of Big Rapids - $10,000
- To purchase two new refrigerators and support operations
- WISE of Big Rapids - $10,000
- Barryton Food Pantry - $9,000
- To purchase additional food
- Village of Barryton - $6,000
- For engineering and sidewalk improvements
- Morley War Memorial - $4,500
- For upgrades to the war memorial
- Life Resources of Northern Michigan - $4,000
- For outreach and advertising costs
- Mecosta County Circuit Court - $3,000
- To purchase a courtroom monitor
- Barryton Library - $2,500
- For new flooring in the building
- Lions Club of Big Rapids - $2,000
- Village of Mecosta - $1,600
- 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)
- Crossroads Charter Academy - $0
- For gymnasium and building upgrades
- Jonah Foundation of Big Rapids - $0
- For the purchase of a house
- Mecosta County Building & Zoning - $0
- For a discounted building permit
- Wheatland Township/Remus - $0
- For building a pickleball court facility with a fence
- Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) Mecosta - $0
- For cat neutering equipment/resources
- Mecosta/Osceola County Court - $0
- For various treatment resources
- Mecosta Conservation District - $0
- For ecology outreach and resources
- Remus Downtown Development Authority - $0
- For new playground equipment
- Corewell Health of Big Rapids - $0
- For suicide prevention resources
- Mecosta County Emergency Management - $0
- To purchase a new rescue trike
- Third Avenue Soup Kitchen - $0
- For funding to purchase food
- Remus Historical Society - $0
- For purchasing a new door and security equipment
For more information, visit the Board of Commissioners packet here: MECOSTA BOC PACKET JULY 3, 2025
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