Saline City Council to Legislature: Don't Eliminate Personal Property Tax Without Replacing Revenue

Here’s a quick recap of Monday’s Saline City Council meeting:

• Council voted 7-0 to approve a resolution opposing any efforts by the Michigan Legislature to repeal personal property taxes without replacing those revenues.

Mayor Gretchen Driskell said the city could 20 percent of its taxable valuation if the state were to eliminate personal property tax without finding a replacement.

Finance Director Lee Bourgoin said that the city would have to raise its property tax rate by three mills to make up the difference, but that it only has the ability to do so by 1.8 mills.

• City council acknowledged receipt of a Sept. 7 letter from the Teamsters Local 214 workers in which the union, representing DPW workers, requested a one-year extension of their contract, which expires June 30, 2012. Council did not take action on the union’s request.

• Council voted 6-1 to retain attorney David Lick to review documentation to determine whether or not the city should proceed with legal action against parties responsible for the construction of the faulty roof on the Department of Public Works building. Jim Peters voted against the motion.

• Council voted 7-0 to approve Klingelnberg-Oerlikon Tec Center’s request for a tax abatement on an investment of $738,825. The abatement is in effect for a six-year period.

• Council voted 7-0 to approve McNaughton & Gunn’s request for a tax abatement on an investment of $699,400. The tax break on the personal property is in effect for four years.

• Council unanimously voted to approve the “South Middle Public Act 7” agreement that puts the cities of Saline and Milan and the townships of York, Lodi and Saline one step closer to having representation on a county-wide transit board. Council also voted to select Jack Ceo to serve on the Selection Committee to choose someone to represent the “South Middle” section of Washtenaw County on the board.

• Prior to the meeting, council held a workshop for an update on the Celtic Festival. Organizers told council that attendance was up and that the festival made a small profit in 2011.

• Council got its first look at a new ordinance which will govern door-to-door solicitors. An ad-hoc committee including Saline Police Detective Lupi, City Clerk Dianne Hill, Deputy Clerk Jackie Lindimore and Superintendent Gary Roubal is drafting the ordinance. The new ordinance will replace language that has been on the books since 1962. If passed, certain door-to-door solicitors will be restricted to doing business between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. They must also be licensed by the city and wear visible identification. The ordinance will also require solicitors to pay a fee for city administrative costs. Currently, there are no hours restrictions on door-to-door solicitors.