Politics & Government

DIA, Veterans' Millage Proposals Ask County Voters to Approve 16 Years of Taxes

Two millage proposals will appear on the Aug. 7 ballots of all Macomb County voters.

After local voters have nominated their picks for Shelby Township, Utica, Macomb county, and state office Aug. 7, they will be asked to vote on two countywide millage proposals.

These proposals are known as the Veterans' Millage and Macomb County Art Institute Authority millage. The veterans' millage is up for a six-year renewal, while the art institute millage is a new tax that would benefit the Detroit Institute of Arts for 10 years.

Although the top portion of the primary ballot is partisan, meaning voters must select all Republican or all Democratic candidates, the proposal section is separate. Even if a voter accidentally splits their ticket, thus invalidating the partisan portion, the proposals' section will still be counted. 

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Veterans’ Millage

This millage was first approved by 68 percent of Macomb County voters in 2008 and is now up for renewal for another six years (2013-2018).

If approved, this proposal would levy .04 mills on Macomb County taxpayers to fund financial aid and services for county veterans and provide support for the Macomb County Veterans’ Services Department and Veterans’ Affairs Commission.

Find out what's happening in Shelby-Uticawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Cost: At .04 mills, a taxpayer owning a $100,000 home would be expected to pay approximately $2 a year. This millage is expected to raise approximately $984,560 in its first year of renewal (2013).

The following language will appear on the Aug. 7 ballot:

If approved, this proposal will renew the .04 mills levied by Macomb County from 2008 through 2012 for six years, 2013 through 2018, to continue funding of financial aid and services for Macomb County veterans and to support the Macomb County Veterans' Services Department and Veterans' Affairs Commission in providing services and financial aid to veterans. 

Shall the .04 mills, (4 cents per $1,000 of taxable value), increase on the limitation on the amount of taxes imposed on taxable property in Macomb County which expires in 2012 be renewed for six (6) years, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 to be levied by Macomb County on taxable real and personal property for a period of 6 years, 2013 to 2018, inclusive, for the purpose of providing financial aid and services to veterans and to support the administration of the Macomb County Veterans’ Services Department and Macomb County Veterans’ Affairs Commission?

If you vote:

Yes – The millage will pass and you will be taxed $2-$4 a year for six years.

No – The millage will not pass and the Macomb County Veterans’ Services Department and Veterans’ Affairs Commission will lose what they describe as a key funding source.

Arts Authority, or DIA Millage

Although you won’t see any reference to the “Detroit Institute of Arts” or even the word “museum” in the language of this proposal, this millage is intended to benefit the DIA.

The Macomb County board of commissioners voted to create an Art Institute Authority in April that would be responsible for submitting the millage question for the August ballot and monitoring the use of funds if it passes.

If approved, this proposal would levy .2 mills on Macomb County taxpayers for a period of 10 years. The revenue from this millage would in turn provide financial support for the DIA.

Cost: At 0.2 mills, a taxpayer owning a $100,000 home would be expected to pay approximately $10 a year. This tax would begin with December 2012 property tax bills and end in 2021.

This millage is expected to raise approximately $4.9 million in its first year (2012). In exchange for supporting the millage, residents and school groups from Macomb County would be allowed to visit the DIA anytime without a general admission fee.

Members of the art authority, who are appointed by Macomb’s commissioners and county executive, are tasked with ensuring the DIA uses the millage revenue only for museum operations. The DIA is required to submit an annual audit for this body’s review.

The following language will appear on the Aug. 7 ballot:

The Macomb County Art Institute Authority was established pursuant to Public Act 296 of 2010 and formed to allow for continuing support of art institute services for the students, residents and visitors of Macomb County. The law allows the Authority to seek authorization from the electors to levy a tax of not more than 0.2 mill (20 cents per $1,000 of taxable value) on real and personal property to provide revenue to an art institute services provider for this purpose. Accordingly, to continue providing art institute services to benefit the residents of the County, shall a 0.2 mill on all of the taxable property located within the County be imposed for a period of ten (10) years, being years 2012 through 2021? It is estimated that if approved and levied, this new millage would generate approximately $ 4,877,863.36 in 2012.

If you vote:

Yes – The millage will pass and you will be taxed $10-$20 a year for 10 years. You will receive free admission to the DIA during this time.

No – The millage will not pass and the DIA says it may have to reduce museum services and programs, including the end of school tours and opening selected galleries only on weekends.

Review your sample ballot on the Macomb County Clerk's website.


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