Explained: Washtenaw Co Proposal for Parks & Recreation Tax Renewal

On the Nov. 6 ballot will be a Washtenaw County proposal for a 10-year, 0.25-mill tax renewal for the continued funding of county parks and recreation facilities.

The current millage expires Dec. 1, 2019. If approved, the renewed tax would be levied for 10 years beginning in December 2020.

There are 13 Washtenaw County parks and 28 nature preserves with a total of more than 7,300 acres.

The amount each taxpayer would pay depends on the value of their property. Taxable value of property is estimated to be ½ of market value. For example, a home with a market value of $200,000 has a $100,000 taxable value. At 0.25 mills, the tax would be $25 per year.

The proposal will appear on the ballot as:

WASHTENAW COUNTY – 1 PROPOSAL

Proposition to Renew the Tax Limitation for Parks and Recreation Purposes Including Acquisition, Development, Maintenance and Operation of Park Lands and Recreation Facilities for the Benefit of Washtenaw County Citizens

“To renew the millage expiring after December 31, 2019, shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be imposed each year for all purposes on real and tangible personal property in Washtenaw County be increased as provided in Section 6, Article IX of the Constitution of the State of Michigan and the Board of Commissioners of the County be authorized to levy a tax not to exceed one quarter of one mill, reduced by the Headlee Amendment to 0.2314 ($0.2314 per $1,000.00 of state equalized valuation) on the taxable value of such property for a period of ten years beginning with the levy made on December 1, 2020 (which will generate estimated revenues of $3.84 million in the first year) for the purpose of acquiring, developing, operating and maintaining park lands and recreational facilities for County citizens?”

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