Berkley to Discuss Millage Request at Town Hall Meeting

The city of Berkley will hold a town hall meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the to address the Municipal Operating, Police and Fire Millage Proposal that will be on the Aug. 7 ballot.

The informational meeting is open to the public and will address a 3-mill Headlee Override proposal to cover operating costs for the , , , parks, sanitation and other services. City officials will be on hand to answer residents' questions during the event.

The Headlee Amendment, approved by Michigan voters in 1978, spells out various restrictions that Lansing and local municipalities must adhere to regarding tax policy, one of which includes the prohibition by local governments to add new taxes — or increase existing ones — without securing voter consent.

The proposal equals $3 per thousand dollars of taxable value, which the city estimates will cost the average Berkley homeowner an extra $175 each year. If approved, residents would see the millage in their 2013 summer property tax bills.

According to an informational pamphlet mailed by the city to residents, Berkley has not increased property taxes for operating costs in 53 years.

A 15-member Citizens Advisory Committee recommended the Headlee Override proposal go on the Aug. 7 ballot (see attached PDF). Among the reasons the committee – which voted 14-1 in favor of the request – gave for its recommendation were declines in property tax values and state revenue-sharing funds, as well as rising costs.

"The decrease in Berkley property values means that the tax value available for
operating (general fund and public safety) in 2012/2013 will be $61 million less than the tax value available in 2006/2007," the report says. "In other words, while prices have increased over the specified six year period, Berkley has approximately $600,000 less revenue than it did in 2006/2007 to meet its expenses for the upcoming year."

In a press release, the city outlined the steps it has taken during the past 10 years to close the gap between revenues and costs, including:

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City Manager Jane Bais-DiSessa said if the millage – which would raise $1,362,000 – does not pass, the city will have to make cuts that could include leaf pickup, tree replacement, some street repairs, code enforcement, library hours and programs, programs and Public Safety officers.

Visit the city of Berkley's website or contact the City Manager's Office at 248-658-3350 for more information.

Former Patch Editor Beth Reeber Valone contributed to this report.