Voters are starting to talk about the choices they’ll have to make in this year’s elections. Detroit voters will see three proposals on their Aug. 6 ballot. For a quick overview, check out these three short explainers from Detroit Documenters.
Proposition P, Wayne County Parks Millage
- Sonja Stuckey
Here’s what you need to know about Proposition P, the Parks Millage Renewal.
What is Proposition P?
Proposition P is a recurring property tax levy (millage) to provide ongoing funding to Wayne County parks and recreational facilities.
Ballot language
“To renew the millage authorized in 2020, shall Wayne County levy this millage at the 2023 rollback rate of 0.2442 mills (about $0.24 per $1,000 of taxable valuation) for five more years (2026 through 2030) to continue to improve and operate several parks and related facilities, including Hines Park, Elizabeth Park, Wayne County Family Aquatic Center at Chandler Park, and improvements to municipal parks in the 43 communities as provided in an implementing ordinance through an annual allocation by commission district of the greater of $50,000 or 15% of the total funds generated from that district, on the condition that, for any year for which this continued levy would be imposed, Wayne County must budget from other sources an amount equal to its 1995-1996 fiscal year appropriation for parks? Based upon the total estimated 2026 taxable value of $59,252,807,563, this renewal is projected to generate $14,469,536 in 2026.”
What’s the history?
Wayne County voters approved the original parks millage in 1996. It has been renewed several times since then. What would a yes vote mean?
A yes vote would reauthorize the millage at 0.2442 mills. That is equal to just over 24 cents per $1,000 of taxable property value.
Taxable value is half the assessed value of your property. If your home is assessed at $100,000, for example, the taxable value would be $50,000. In that case, the parks millage would add about $12 to your property tax bill.
The millage would be in place from 2026-2030. This tax renewal is projected to generate about $14 million in 2026.
What would the money be used for?
Money from the millage is used to fund capital improvements, environmental and infrastructure projects for the 5,600 acres of parks in Wayne County.
How can I get more information or get involved?
Residents can vote in the primary election on Aug. 6. Proposition P is listed at the bottom of the ballot (or on the back) under the proposal section. Check your local voting precinct or the Wayne County Clerk’s Elections Division at 313-224-5525 to find out how to vote by absentee ballot or in person at your local precinct. For detailed instructions on how to cast your vote, visit www.MichiganVoting.org.
Get involved with Wayne County parks initiatives through contacting the Friends of Wayne County Parks through its contact page or at FriendsOfWCP@aol.com.
Sonja Stuckey is a native Detroit, retired from 25 years as an early childhood educator. Her heart lies in community reporting, sharing information and resources to help empower other Detroiters.
Proposition A, The Auditor Selection Amendment
- Kayleigh Lickliter
Here’s what you need to know about Proposition A, the Auditor Selection Amendment.
What is Proposition A?
Proposition A would remove a requirement in the Wayne County charter that it find a new financial auditor at least every eight years. If approved, any qualified firm could be awarded a contract for auditing services when the contract is competitively bid.
Ballot language
“Shall the Wayne County Charter Section 3.119 (e) be amended in part to allow the County’s independent external auditor, selected by competitive bid, to serve for a term of three years or more?”
What’s the history?
Voters approved a ballot question in 1996 that transferred the responsibility for hiring an outside firm from the Wayne County executive to the auditor general.
The mandatory rotation of audit firms was a reform to enhance auditor independence and audit quality. “At the time the charter was first drafted, it was a different industry,” said Mark Abbo, former Wayne County chief financial officer. More firms were involved in government auditing work when the charter was written. “It’s really unusual to have a charter requirement that requires a rotation or a new auditor be selected every eight years.”
Voters rejected a proposal similar to the one on this year’s ballot by a slim margin in 2012.
What else should I know?
Plante Moran has been Wayne County’s external auditor since 2017. Based on the current provisions of the county charter, the auditing firm wouldn’t be able to continue providing external auditing services beyond this year.
The Government Finance Officers Association’s best practices indicates a concern that the mandatory rotation requirement could result in higher fees and hiring a firm that doesn’t have the capacity.
How can I get more information or get involved?
Residents can vote in the primary election on Aug. 6. Proposition A is listed at the bottom of the ballot (or on the back) under the proposal section. Check your local voting precinct or the Wayne County Clerk’s Elections Division at 313-224-5525 to find out how to vote by absentee ballot or in person at your local precinct. For detailed instructions on how to cast your vote, visit www.MichiganVoting.org.
Kayleigh Lickliter is a Detroit Documenter and freelancer for BridgeDetroit.
Proposal L, Detroit Public Library Millage
- Colleen Cirocco
Here’s what you need to know about Proposal L, the Library Operating Millage Renewal.
What is Proposal L?
Proposal L would renew a tax levy that makes up the majority of the Detroit Public Library’s budget until 2035. The current voter-approved millage funds about 85% of the library’s operating costs and expires on June 30, 2025. The ballot measure does not affect a separate, smaller statutory millage.
The proposal would renew the current rate of 3.9943 mills, which is about $3.99 for every $1,000 of taxable value. This would be the same rate in effect since the last millage vote in 2014.
Taxable value is half of a property’s appraised value. Someone who owns a home appraised for $100,000, for example, would have a taxable value of $50,000 and pay about $200 a year toward the millage.
Ballot language
“Shall the tax limitation on taxable property for operating and maintaining the Detroit Public Libraries, be renewed for 3.9943 mills ($3.9943 on each $1,000.00 of taxable value) for 10 years (July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2035)? This renewal combines two millages that voters approved on August 5, 2014, which expires June 20, 2025. 3.9943 mills will raise an estimated revenue of $42,000,000 the first year, if approved, and 100% collected.”
What about tax capture?
There are two separate millages that support the library. One is a smaller “fixed” millage that collects 0.64 mills in property taxes. The DDA will still be able to capture taxes on that millage.
The much larger voter-approved millage would be exempt from tax capture if it passes and takes effect on July 1, 2025. That would unlock an additional $3.2 million in the next fiscal year for the library.
Library facts
The Detroit Public Library is a place for people of all ages and backgrounds to connect with others and get access to the information and services they need, all for free. The library offers resources including computers, internet connection, eye exams, tax and legal help, movies, after-school programs, job search assistance, historical collections and of course, lots and lots of books.
The Detroit Public Library, which first opened in 1865, has 22 branches: its Main Branch and 21 neighborhood branches. Most of its buildings require extensive repairs, and three branches have been closed for years.
How can residents get more information or get involved?
Residents can vote in the primary election on Aug. 6. Proposal L is listed at the bottom of the ballot (or on the back) under the proposal section. Check your local voting precinct or the Wayne County Clerk’s Elections Division at 313-224-5525 to find out how to vote by absentee ballot or in person at your local precinct. For detailed instructions on how to cast your vote, visit www.MichiganVoting.org.
Visit DetroitPublicLibrary.org to learn more about Proposal L and explore the library’s resources and events.
Colleen Cirocco is an archivist living in Southwest Detroit. She has a Masters in Library and Information Science from Wayne State University.
Michigan Aug. 6 primary: What to know about absentee ballots, early voting
Michigan’s Aug. 6 primary election is nearing! Over 1.5 million absentee ballots were issued. Return your ballot now or vote early in person to make it count!
