Trenton Officials to Reimburse Zoo Tax Captured Over Previous Years

Trenton officials resolved to return taxes meant for The Detroit Zoo captured by the city from 2008 to 2010.

Council members voted in favor of returning $8,238 originally earmarked for the Zoological Authority at Monday's Trenton City Council meeting.

City officials stopped capturing the tax revenue in 2011 at the request of Wayne County officials.

Trenton Treasurer Michael McCullough disagreed with the decision to return the money.

"I don't believe the city (of Trenton) owes them any money," McCullough said.

Trenton City Councilman Terrance Teifer recommended the city reimburse the captured tax dollars.

Tiefer said there are 16 communities in Wayne County that still capture the dollars meant for the zoo.

Zoo officials said they get all of the tax money they expect of the 0.10-mill tax from Oakland and Macomb counties -- but not from Wayne County, according to The Detroit Free Press.

In Wyandotte, council memebers voted in December 2012 to approve a retainer fee agreement regarding a zoo millage litigation.

City Administrator Todd Drysdale explained to Wyandotte council members in December 2012 that the Wayne County Treasurer's Office informed the city that it will not be able to capture eligible tax increment revenues from millages for the Zoological Authority and Detroit Institute of Arts.

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