Every Washtenaw County primary voter will be asked to renew these three millages

Elections are the crux of democracy, guaranteeing every registered voter an equal voice. As good citizens and neighbors, we are all responsible for being engaged and informed voters. However, complicated ballot language, unfamiliar technical terms, and partisan rhetoric can make that seem almost impossible. Below is a simplified explanation of the language for the ballot measures presented to all Washtenaw County voters in the August 6th state primary. 

Every Washtenaw County primary voter will be asked to consider, at least, these three ballot measures because these programs are all countywide. All three proposals are renewals of previously approved measures that have expired or will soon, and there is no increase to any of the previously approved mill rates. 

Despite the simplicity of these renewals, the language in the proposals is confusing and easy to misunderstand. This is due to a complicated and somewhat obscure Michigan law called the Headlee Amendment, which limits the total amount that can be collected by taxing authorities in certain cases. All three millages were subject to the Headlee Amendment in 2023, meaning the rate charged to taxpayers has been “rolled back” (slightly lowered) since then.  All the extra words about different mill rates in these measures are simply a legal way to express that the rate being charged has been a little bit less than the rate that voters approved previously and if approved again, the rate will be restored to the originally approved mill rate.  

Proposal A
Proposal A asks voters to renew funding for the ongoing construction and care of Washtenaw County roads, bike lanes, streets, and paths. Last approved in 2020, it expired with the 2023 tax collection. The funds are distributed to the “Washtenaw County Road Commission, Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation, and the various cities, villages, and townships of Washtenaw County to maintain, construct, resurface, reconstruct, or preserve  roads, bike lanes, streets, and paths in Washtenaw County.”

The proposed mill rate for this is .5000 mills. This rate was approved by voters in 2020 but it rolled back to .4950 in 2023 due to the Headlee Amendment, and then expired. If renewed, the mill rate would be restored to .5000 mills and collected for four years spanning 2024 through 2027. 

This means the township would collect a tax of $.50 for every $1000 of a property’s taxable value.  Remember, the taxable value of a property is 50% of its actual value, so a home worth $200,000 has a taxable value of $100,000. The owner of that home/property would be charged $50 per year to cover the cost of this road maintenance program. That same property owner would have paid $49.50 in a year that used the Headlee Amendment adjusted rate. 

Proposal B 
Proposal B asks voters to renew operational funding for the Washtenaw County Conservation District. Previously approved by voters in 2020, the .0200 mill rate was rolled back to .0197 in 2023 because of the Headlee Amendment and now expires in 2025. 

The Washtenaw County Conservation District provides “programs to assist residents in the protection of surface and groundwater quality, increasing wildlife habitat, woodlot management, reforestation and tree planting, invasive species removal, and soil erosion reduction” and “conservation resources, education, and assistance to residents.” It also strengthens “the local food system by promoting sustainable agricultural practices throughout the County of Washtenaw.”

If approved, the mill rate would be restored to .0200 and would be collected for six years, from 2026 through 2031. A taxpayer with a property valued at $200,000 and a taxable value of $100,000 would be charged $2.00 per year for this program. The same taxpayer would have been charged $1.97 in a year affected by the Headlee Amendment. 

Proposal C
Proposal C asks voters to continue funding Washtenaw County park land and recreation facilities. A rate of .2500 was approved by voters in 2014 but was rolled back to .2387 in 2023 due to the Headlee Amendment and is now set to expire in 2026. A renewal of this funding provides for the acquisition, development, maintenance, and operation of park land and recreational facilities within Washtenaw County. 

If approved, the mill rate would be restored to .2500 and would be collected for ten years, from 2026 through 2036. A property with a taxable value of $100,000 would generate $25 per year for this county program. In a year affected by the Headlee Amendment, that same property would generate $23.87.