Dearborn Residents Asked To Approve Supplemental, Temporary Tax

DEARBORN, MI — When voters head to the polls Tuesday, Dearborn officials hope they say "yes" to a supplemental, temporary tax to fund city operations, including critical services such as police and fire protection.

According to the city, approval would cost the average Dearborn homeowner $167 per year. That is less than the $213 the average Dearborn homeowner is currently paying per year, a $46 reduction.

"Without the approval of the supplemental millage, more than $16 million in city revenue will be lost, leading to the significant reduction of resources for Dearborn programs and services, including funds available for public safety," city said in a news release.

City officials said voters have approved temporary millages in the last 10 years to supplement the tax rate allowed by the Dearborn City Charter.

Voters last approved 3.5 mills for five years in 2016. That approval is expiring soon.

If voters agree in November, that tax rate would be replaced with the lower rate of 2.75 mills. It would also be for a shorter duration of three years.

Presently, the Dearborn City Charter limits operating mills to 15. State law allows 20.

City officials said voters have the power to raise the city’s operating millage rate up to 20 mills by amending the city charter limit. Previous voter approvals set the limit at 18.5 mills. The November ballot proposal lowers the operating millage rate to 17.75 mills.

If approved, the lower tax rate would go into effect on July 1, 2022.