By Brittany Dekorte
Editor
Midterm elections are fast approaching, and while there are no flashy or controversial candidates grabbing headlines, there are still a number of important, local ballot proposals that residents of Washtenaw County can lend their voices to. All information provided by the Washtenaw County Elections Division.
All of Washtenaw County
Washtenaw County Community Mental Health and Public Safety Preservation Millage
This millage seeks to “improve the treatment of people with mental health needs, provide increased financial support for mental health crisis, stabilization and prevention, and for continued law enforcement services provided by the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office.” If passed, there will be a tax increase of up to $1 per thousand dollars of taxable property value for residents until the year 2025. 38 percent of the funds will go to the county’s Community Mental Health Department, the rest will be allocated to police forces within the county.
Lincoln Consolidated School District
Operating Millage Renewal
This renewal will continue a tax of $18.21 per thousand dollars of taxable property value for residents,with the purpose of covering operating costs for Lincoln Consolidated School District. The renewal will extend the tax through 2024.
Public Recreation and Playground Millage Renewal
This is also a extension on an already existing millage, a tax of $0.098 per thousand dollars of taxable property value for residents, for the purpose of public recreation and playground maintenance. This will extend the millage through 2024.
Sharon Township
Renewal Millage for Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Services
This millage will reauthorize funding for firefighters and emergency medical services in Sharon Township, with a $0.499 increase per thousand dollars of taxable property value for residents. This millage, if authorized, will last through 2022.
Webster Township
Public Safety Millage Proposal
If passed, this millage will see a $3.40 increase per thousand dollars of taxable property value for residents through 2021, and will support public safety within Webster Township.
Chelsea Area
Fire Authority Millage
This millage seeks funding to help with operating costs and to equip the Chelsea Area Fire Authority. This will bring about a $2.40 increase per thousand dollars of taxable property value for residents, from 2019 through 2023.
Northville Public Schools
Bond Proposal
Northville Public Schools is seeking permission to borrow nearly $105 million to remodel, furnish, and equip its facilities, install instructional technology, and purchase new buses. If passed, there will be a millage proposed in 2018 to help repay the loan.
Saline Area Schools
Sinking Fund Millage
Saline Area Schools wishes to increase the cap set on their taxes. If the increase goes through, there will be a $0.35 increase per thousand dollars of taxable property value for residents, through 2027. Money raised with this tax will go to real estate purchases, construction and repair of school buildings, and technology upgrades within the school district.
Public Relations and Playgrounds
This second millage will also increase the tax cap, and will bring about a $0.50 increase per thousand dollars of taxable property value for residents, through 2027. The money raised here will go to public recreation and playgrounds for Saline Area Schools.
Washtenaw Intermediate Schools
Special Education Renewal Millage
This millage will reauthorize funding for the special education programs at Washtenaw Intermediate Schools through 2025. If renewed it will continue the tax of $0.97 per thousand dollars of taxable property value for residents.
