Special Budget Meeting Talks Millage
The main news out of 24 May Special Budget meeting was City Manager Don Johnson's description of several millage scenarios. He described seven or eight scenarios and estimated how much millage will be needed to implement each one. CITCOM chose the 4th scenario of services which will require 3.975 mills, although no action was taken during this meeting. City Hall observers have been quick to wonder why Johnson chose to exceed the City Charter's 11-mill limit by going to 11.03.
It's too late to get the millage on the August ballot They're thinking November because the increase would become effective in December. A disadvantage: Most of the voters in a typical November election haven't been following local issues and will vote No, so the General Fund would fall to zero next fiscal year. If not November, then we'll have to try February or May of 2013.
Commissioners Capello and Fournier asked questions whose intent could be understood by laymen. DuBuc began with an on-target question relating to what impact a successful millage might have on collective bargaining arbitration. Then he lost his way and asked several meandering questions which forced Johnson to go into esoteric detail not easily followed by laymen. I stopped counting after Kyle's 8th question.
Rasor moved into his occasional stubborn mode and asked the same question repeatedly despite attempts of Ellison and Capello to suggest it was an unfair and out-of-focus question. As the meeting ended, Capello praised Johnson for his excellent work. I would add another dimension of praise for his being able to maintain a neutral-to-smiling face through it all.
Reform-minded voters complain that restructuring of city government was not addressed.
Frank Versagi is the editor of Versagi Voice.
Tom X
11:57 am on Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Here it comes.......the BIGGEST millage increase request in Royal Oak's history.
When Royal Oak went out for it's last increase request a few years ago, the request was for 1.75 mills, and was defeated by over 2 to 1.
Good luck, but the city commission and city manager are barking at the moon on this one.
Nancy Barnett
5:10 pm on Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Not only are the barking at the moon,they will also use the same old tactics to scare the crap out of residences by telling the media and God knows who else, that if they don't get a millage passed by Royal Oak voters,than they will have to cut more Police and Firefighters,close fire station 3 ,and privatize our only ambulance service,the best we've ever had. Back in the early 2000's Royal Oak had a milliage passed to build 2 new fire stations,replace the fire trucks,and put new ambulances in service. I voted yes on this millage,because at the time my Mother was getting up there in age and in ill health,not to mention she's gone now..but so I would have that service when I get there. My rent went up some $30.00 per month,because of those tax increases.We are still paying for all of that,and then the city takes it all away,and again they want more money...NO DAMIT.
Mark Itall
11:19 pm on Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Nancy, if your landlord raised each of his tenant's units in that building $30 per month, and told you it was because of the tax increase, he is being less than honest. The increase in his taxes was significantly less than the increase he charged just you, let alone everyone else living there. No comment on your other points at this time. Keep writing.
Karen B
11:07 am on Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Mark, you must be a know-it -all.
If nancy lives in a 4 to 6 unit apartment, and the landlord raised each unit $30, that only generates an additional $120 to $180 per month, or $1440 to $2160 per year.
I doubt that those amounts were enough to cover the increase in taxes, and the water rate increases that the city has charged consumers over the last couple of years.