INGHAM COUNTY - Ingham residents may remember voting for a millage in the November 2014 mid-term election to help fund repairs on the county's parks and trails.

Nearly a calendar year later, steps towards that goal are finally being made. The task force comprised of Ingham's Park Commissioners have named their consultant that will assist them in created a plan to correctly manage and distribute the trails across mid-Michigan.

"Mannick-Smith was a local group, that was one of the upside," said Tim Morgan, Director of Ingham County Parks. "They're a state advocacy for trails, and we thought that was a big plus."

The Michigan-based company was hired with $73,000 of the money from the millage that gives $3.5 million to the task force for the next six years.

According to Morgan, Mannick-Smith's working with local parks in the past gave them the nod to be chosen to deal with the redevelopment.

"They have experience working on both master plans and trails plan, so we were really happy to get their expertise to help solve our problems and see where their vision is."

The task force will meet with the business for their first meeting on Sept. 30.