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November 2018 Elections: Ballot Proposals In Washtenaw County

Easily the most controversial proposal anywhere on a Washtenaw County Ballot, Proposal A was succesful with 52.61 percentage of city voters decided to preserve the so-called “Library Lot” to house an urban park and civic center. The area will now become known as the “Center of the City.” Had it failed, city officials would have continued to work with Chicago-based developer, Core Spaces, to being to life a mixed-use, 17-story high rise with a 12,000 square-foot public plaza.  

The measure had split many in the community. For some, this was about preservation versus development. For others, it was about the economic growth of the downtown area and a way in which to better provide funding for more affordable housing.

The other two proposals on the Ann Arbor ballot were far less divisive, as evidenced in the voting.

Proposal B amends the city charter to change the manner in which vacancies are filled in elective offices. It passed, winning 87.45 percent in support. Up until now, when someone leaves office, city council would make an appointment and that person would serve out the remainder of departed elected officials term. Moving forward, the appointee will serve until the next, regularly scheduled election takes place.

Proposal C was a millage renewal for Ann Arbor park. The 5-year, 1.1 mill levy replaces an expiring, voter -approved, five-year levy. The tax is expected to generate over $6-million dollars in tax revenue in the first year of collection. The money will be dedicated to parks maintenance and capital improvements. 

Voters Approve Millage Renewal For Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation

Washtenaw County voters have approved a 10-year, quarter-mill tax renewal to help fund the Parks and Recreation department. The existing millage expires at the end of 2019. The new tax levy will run from January 1st of 2020 to December 31st of 2029. It is expected the tax will generate $3.84 million dollars in the first year of collection. The money will be used for acquisitions and development. It will also help pay with the costs of operation and maintenance of park lands and recreational facilities. The millage renewal passed with 74.32 percent of the countywide vote.

Ypsilanti Community Schools Win Voter Support For Sinking Fund Millage

A sinking fund millage has won approval from district voters in the Ypsilanti Community Schools. The 10-year, 3-mill levy will be collected beginning in 2019 and run through 2028. The first year of collection would generate more than $1.6-million dollars to fund a variety of district improvement. The money can be used for repairing existing facilities, the purchase or construction of new facilities and for technology upgrades. 67.79 percent of Ypsilanti district voters gae a thumbs up to the proposal.

Voters Say ‘Yes’ To The Ypsilanti District Library

The Ypsilanti District Library is more financially stable today. 67.01 percent of voters on Tuesday approved a 12-year, point-seven mill tax. The library board may authorize expenditures of the tax money to enhance district facilities and services to the community. The first year of collection is expected to generate over $1.3 million dollars. The tax collection will continue through the end of 2029.

City of Milan:

Milan voters Approve Library Millage Renewal Issue

A seven-year tax renewal issue to support library services has won approval of the voters in the City of Milan. The .24 mill question passed with 73.74 percent voter support. The tax will be collected from the beginning of 2019 through the end of 2023. In the first year it is expected to generate $39,000 dollars for the Milan Public Library.

City of Saline:

Streets And Right-Of-Way Ballot Issue Passes in Saline

Funding for some of the streets in Saline is going up. A five-year, one-mill tax question passed yesterday with 55.53 percent supporting the measure. The tax will be collected from 2019 through 2023 and revenues generated will be used for street repairs and right-of-way repairs and improvements. The tax is expected to generate over $434,000 dollars in the first year of collection.

Augusta Township: 

Headlee Override Measure Fails in Augusta Township

Voters chose not to give a boost to the general operating budget in Augusta Township and refused to approve a Headlee Amendment override. Because of legally required rollbacks in taxes at the end of this year, the Township requested reinstatement of the originally voted upon tax levy of 1.16 mills. With 65.06 percent of the vote, voters chose not to renew the five-year levy. The tax would have been collected through 2022 and, in the first year, would have generate nearly $248,000 dollars in revenue.

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