Township To Hold Meeting Thursday To Discuss Millages

After holding off talks about the millage proposals at the April meeting, the White Lake Township Board of Trustees has scheduled a special meeting to discuss their millage options Thursday at 7 p.m. at .

The board has four millage proposals on the table, and will also be discussing the option of special assessments as opposed to the millages. If the township decided to go the special assessment route, Township Attorney Greg Need said the assessment would have to be placed on the ballot once for voter approval. The township could then assess up to 1 mill for services like police and fire, and wouldn't have to go back to voters for renewals.

Because White Lake is a charter township, Michigan law allows for the special assessment option.

It's also possible that the board will look at combining some of the proposed millages.

The four millages, if the language is approved by the board, will appear on the primary ballot in August for residents to vote on.

Parks and Recreation millage increase

Language has been submitted that through 2016. The language, as submitted to the township board, proposes a .3 mill increase for five years. During the first year, this millage will raise an estimated $280,701. This money can then be used for recreation purposes, including park maintenance, pathway and park construction, (including acquisition of land easements for that purpose) and providing matching funds in connection for grant applications for recreation purposes.

If the language is approved by the board, and gets approved by voters in the election, a homeowner owning a home with a taxable value of $100,000 would pay $30 a year.

Police-Fire operating millage renewal

If the language submitted for the first of three public safety millages is approved by the township board, White Lake voters will be asked to that will last for ten years. The millage, is approved will raise approximately $935,671 in the first year. This money can be used for all police and fire related services.

If the language is approved by the board, and gets approved by voters in the election, a homeowner owning a home with a taxable value of $100,000 would pay $100 a year.

Fire millage renewal

In the second of three public safety millages, voters will be asked to ($0.6740 per $1,000 taxable value) for ten years. In the first year this millage will raise approximately $630,642. The money can be spent to maintain fire and emergency medical services, including personnel, equipment, vehicles, and operational costs.

If the language is approved by the board, and gets approved by voters in the election, a homeowner owning a home with a taxable value of $100,000 would pay $67.40 a year.

Fire millage increase

In the final public safety millage request, if approved by the township board, voters will be ($0.50 per $1,000 taxable value) for a period of 10 years. This money will be used for the purpose of maintaining current fire and emergency medical services, including personnel, equipment, vehicles, and operational costs. If approved, the township will collect approximately $467,835 in the first year.

If the language is approved by the board, and gets approved by voters in the election, a homeowner owning a home with a taxable value of $100,000 would pay $50 a year.