Rochester Hills' Local Street Millage: What To Know

ROCHESTER HILLS, MI — For the Nov. 5 election, Rochester Hills will be voting on the future of local roads, along with other local issues. Three expiring millages have been merged into one renewed local street millage that will be on the ballot.

City officials say the city of Rochester Hills currently has three separate local street millages which provide for the maintenance, repair, and reconstruction of local streets in the city. These three local street millages are set to expire in 2020 with combined total 1.0965 mill.

On the Nov. 5, residents will be asked to renew the three expiring local street millages into one combined Local Street millage at 1.0965 mill beginning in 2021 for the next 10-years.

If approved, this proposal will not raise the current tax rate. The total amount will stay exactly the same as it is now, and your tax bill will stay exactly the same. The only change will be going from three millages down to one.

Local street millages are a vital source of funding for the city's local street system providing for approximately 40% of annual Local Street Fund revenues, the Rochester Hills Mayor’s Office said.

The Rochester Hills Public Safety and Infrastructure Committee has studied and recommended the renewal of Local Street millages I, II, and III into one new 10-year Local Street millage beginning in FY 2021.

City officials like Mark Tisdel, president of the Rochester Hills City Council, support the measure because it improves the community without raising taxes.

“In my eight years on the Rochester Hills City Council, serving the last four as Council President, I have heard, first hand, about our residents’ interest in good roads,” Tisdel said. “ I have also read and analyzed the results of the City’s public opinion surveys that consistently rank residential road maintenance and reconstruction among the most important issues the City should address. And we have all heard the familiar statewide cry to “Fix the D--- Roads.”

Tisdel said the topic has been the discussion of countless City Council meetings, much correspondence, and animated conversations.

“And our residents have been heard: Infrastructure management — providing reliable, safe and effect roadways throughout the city — has been an ongoing strategic and economic priority for Council,” he added. “No doubt about it, our residents want great roads.”

FAQS ON THE LOCAL STREET MILLAGE RENEWAL

What is a millage renewal?
A question before voters to renew a previously authorized millage which is expiring at the same millage rate for an additional term, in this case an additional 10-years.

What would a renewed Local Street millage at 1.0965 mill pay for?
A renewed Local Street millage would dedicate over $4,000,000 each year for the maintenance, repair, and reconstruction of the Local Street system in the City of Rochester Hills.

Can the renewed millage be used for anything other than Local Streets in the City?
No. If approved by voters, this renewed millage would dedicate funding only towards activities that maintain and improve the Local Street system in the City of Rochester Hills.

Is this a new tax that will increase my tax bill?

No.If approved by voters, the total City Local Street millage rate is proposed to remain unchanged at 1.0965 mill.

What services are covered by the Local Street millage?

• Winter Operations: snow and ice removal, salting, and anti-icing
• Construction: asphalt resurfacing and concrete removal and replacement Preservation: crack sealing, sweeping, pothole patching, and gravel road grading
• Traffic Services: traffic sign installation and replacement

Want more information? Watch the video the city posted.