(Source: MIRS.news, Published July 27, 2022) Who'll be the Republican gubernatorial nominee isn't the only thing being settled Aug. 2. The fates of more than $1.13 billion in local bonds and millages are also in the balance. Here's a link to the spreadsheet.
Voters in Michigan's 83 counties will see a total of 765 money-related local measures next Tuesday. Some increase or renew property taxes. Others ask to reinstate taxes removed by the Headlee Act. Others ask to issue bonds, or other miscellaneous ordinances or assessments on the ballot. The number of measures was even greater during the August 2020 primary with 862 local ballot measures.
The most common ask by local governments is for fire departments, police departments and other first responders, with 228 fire and emergency medical service areas and 44 police and public safety measures. They either are looking to increase their budget, buy special equipment or renew their existing budget to the tune of nearly $170 million.
Eleven 911 Dispatch centers are looking for an increase or restoration of their budget to nearly $20 million.
The largest chunk of money is being asked for by 82 school districts that are seeking $555 million in bonds, sinking funds, or various millage proposals.
The increase in federal funding and a funding swap passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor in March seems to have spurred a boom in ballot road measures. There are 142 county road measures on the ballot that are looking to raise more than $66 million.
Libraries are also seeking additional funding with 49 of them asking for more than $63 million.
Senior services is a big ticket item with 39 millage proposals equaling more than $42 million. However, 17 of the measures are on the ballot in Van Buren County alone.
There are 25 local governments seeking to reinstate, renew or raise their budget, some of them permanently.
There are also 15 local governments that want to make changes to either recycling or garbage services in the area and 14 that are looking to mitigate the Gypsy moths or mosquitoes in the area.
Five medical care facilities are looking to renew nearly $5 million in funding.
Eight rural areas are looking to fund the Michigan State University Extension operations that exist in their areas for programs such as 4H or crop outlooks and help.
There are also a couple of unique millage renewals or requests. Sanilac County is asking for $339,076 to renew a program to help sexual abuse and domestic violence victims.
Hillsdale wants an $11 million bond approved to create an emergency broadcasting system in the county.
The North Berrien Historical Society is asking all the townships and municipalities to chip in and fund the organization.
Holland is asking citizens in both Ottawa and Allegan to approve $30 million to help lay fiber optic cables in the city for high-speed internet.
Peninsula Township in Grand Traverse County is asking to raise property taxes so it can buy a piece of land for nearly $1.8 million.
Presque Isle County is asking to separate the taxes in the county and put a cap on how much can be charged in certain areas.
Ontonagon County and the village of Ontonagon are looking for taxpayers to increase the amount they can fund a pension by more than $573,000.
Carp Lake Township in Ontonagon County in the U.P. wants $17,000 restored to pay for streetlights.
Grosse Ile Township in Wayne County is looking to create a water treatment plant with $650,000.
Townships in Grand Traverse County and Ingham County have ordinances to get rid of marijuana businesses in those areas.
A township in Oakland County wants to join the marijuana boom.
Wexford County wants to fund 911 with a surcharge of 75 cents to all phones.
Almont Township is asking to open up both alcohol sales and drinking.
