By GABRIEL GOODWIN
Sunday Times Newspapers
Wyandotte Public Schools voters approved the 18-mill, non-homestead tax levy and the 1-mill Headlee Amendment override Tuesday.
The unofficial election results reported 1,478 voted for the 18 mills, while 734 voted against levy. The approved millage will generate about $13.1 million for the district or roughly 10 percent of the school district’s funding.
The Headlee override received 1,458 votes for the 1-mill reserve — if the tax levied has to be adjusted for inflation — and 746 votes against the amendment.
“I want to thank everyone who voted for the non-homestead millage renewal at the election,” Supt. Carla Harting said. “We truly appreciate the support you have shown for Wyandotte Public Schools. This was a crucial vote for our district. We will continue to use your money in a fiscally responsible manner.”
The renewal of the 18 mills will bring in an estimated $3.1 million to the school district, Harting said, and the tax will be levied against industrial and commercial property, second homes and rental properties within the city.
City Clerk WIlliam Griggs — including absentee votes — said 2,240 voters cast ballots in yesterday’s election, which was about 11.5 percent of the 19,533 registered voters within the district. He expected the small voter turnout, he said, because a school district election doesn’t “foster a large number of voters.”
Regardless of the turnout, Griggs said the city had to plan for every registered voter to show up at the available polling locations. The election results will be sent to the Wayne County Board of Canvassers to be certified.
School Board Business Manager Kenneth Laub said the next step for the board would be to create a budget for the upcoming fiscal years.
This is not the only millage election the city’s residents will see this year because they will be asked to vote on a proposed five-year, 3-mill general operating millage May 6. The millage is projected to bring in about $1.1 million, City Administrator Todd Drysdale said, compared to the previous 1.75 mills generating about $1 million because of the current reduction of property taxes within the city.
With the new millage rate, he said, the city can begin to manage the projected financial shortfalls. The current three-year, 1.75 mills general operating millage runs out after the 2014-15 fiscal year, but Drysdale said a renewal at that rate would not be enough to sustain services provided to residents. The 2014 budget projects a $1.35 million deficit for the 2016-17 fiscal year.
He said the total increase to the average resident — living in a $100,000 house — would be about $5.50 a month, or about $60 a year.
(Gabriel Goodwin can be reached at [email protected])