Washtenaw County board gives preliminary OK to small tax increase
Dexter Township resident Dale Lesser appeared before the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners tonight to do something he says he doesn't normally do: Advocate for a tax hike.
As a conservative Republican farmer, Lesser's general rule is smaller government and lower taxes. But he's 100 percent behind an Act 88 millage to raise money for economic development and agricultural programs throughout Washtenaw County.
"I was conflicted in the idea that it would be a raise of taxes, because farmland and farmers in general pay a lot more in than what we get out," he said. "But Extension and 4-H and FSEP are all things that are very important to us, and so this is a way to keep connected to the system, and that's why I'm supporting it."
Washtenaw County commissioners took one small step closer toward closing the gap on a $30 million budget deficit tonight.
Commissioners, at their Ways and Means Committee meeting, voted 8-2 to approve an "Act 88" millage, a new countywide tax of 0.04 mills that will free up $603,000 a year in the county's general fund.
The tax will be levied for the first time in December and will cost property owners $4 for every $100,000 of taxable value. It will provide an alternative means of funding economic development and agricultural programs that currently rely on the county's general fund budget for support.
Commissioners Kristin Judge and Wesley Prater were the only ones to oppose the tax. Judge has said she wants to more closely examine the county's budget before she approves raising county taxes.
"I refuse to raise taxes without a referendum," Prater said of his reasons.
Commissioner Jessica Ping abstained from the vote because of a conflict of interest. She said she has an ongoing business relationship with Ann Arbor SPARK and SPARK East, which the tax would fund.
Commissioners are expected to give final approval of the Act 88 millage at their next full board meeting at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 21. The meeting will be followed by a public hearing on the budget at 6 p.m., Oct. 22.
The Act 88 millage will maintain funding at these levels for the following programs:
• $200,000 for the economic activities of Ann Arbor SPARK and $50,000 for SPARK East.
• $100,000 for the economic development activities of the Eastern Leaders Group.
• $137,000 to fund the activities of the Department of Economic Development and Energy.
• $15,000 for the Washtenaw MSU Extension Agricultural Innovation Counselor.
• $27,000 for horticulture programming for the Washtenaw MSU Extension horticulture educator.
• $60,000 for 4-H activities, including allocations to the Washtenaw Farm Council for operating the Washtenaw County 4-H Youth Show and 4-H agricultural programming for the 4-H Extension educator.
• $15,000 to support the work of the Food System Economic Partnership.
Commissioners are expected to adopt the 2010-11 budget in committee on Nov. 4, with final approval Nov. 18.
Commissioners noted the Act 88 millage would only be levied for one year before the county board revisits it next year.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.
Comments
musiclover
Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 2:51 p.m.
I am glad this passed. I have benefited from the services these monies will support. I believe paying taxes is the price we pay for civilization. I also think an increase to the past rates of a graduated income tax is the fairest way to support our community.
AccruedInterest
Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 12:19 p.m.
Not in every case. You elect representatives to represent you. Is the average citizen aware of the big picture? Probably not...we think we know what's best for us, but in the aggregate, that might not be the best public policy. Remember, we are a community and our actions affect others. As for the frog in boiling water, the slippery slope, the grain of sand that makes a hill, etc., you have to look at the totality of taxes, not each part. If you think your leaders, yes they are leaders, are providing a good benefit for your taxes dollars, then re-elect them. If not, campaign for someone else. And you can always donate to charities.
KeepingItReal
Sat, Oct 10, 2009 : 3:41 p.m.
AccuredInterest: Have you cosidered how many tax proposals are being presented that will cost all of us additional money? This is not a philosophical stance, this is real. Don't you think that any taxes imposed on the citizens of this community should be presented to the citizens for approval?
rosewater
Sat, Oct 10, 2009 : 12:24 p.m.
Taxes, taxes, taxes....and guess what? On November 3, if you approve the Regional Enhancement Millage for Washtenaw Schools (they always are in crisis- let the teachers take a hit on their retirement or health care benefits) - you can look forward to spending another $200 a year providing your primary home has a taxable value of $100,000. I'll just sign over my paycheck...or better yet just stop working!
Engineer
Fri, Oct 9, 2009 : 10:11 p.m.
Dems have been in the tax and spend mode for years. Then when you are out of money they want to infringe on your rights with silly regulations. Time to go another way for sure. Imagine in washington the clowns that set up cash for clunkers (using your tax dollars to pay for other people's cars) that was broke in one week after they thought it would last a couple of months wanting to control your health care. NO NO NO!!!!
OverTaxed
Thu, Oct 8, 2009 : 9 p.m.
Enough with the tax increases already. I thought the Dems were the party for the people, helping the middle class. All I see is helping the middle class into poverty.
beaumont_slave
Thu, Oct 8, 2009 : 5:40 p.m.
I certainly am not pretending to know politics well, but when does this stop!!. I havent seen anything about our county leaders taking cuts. or losing benefits, like a lot of us have. Some how we have to get back to basics, and stop funding all the extras. I'm so tired of hearing some of the places that our money is going in our county,state,and country.
DonBee
Thu, Oct 8, 2009 : 3:46 p.m.
Yet another new tax. Add this to the state increases and possible township taxes and it will not be $4 or $24 dollars next year but hundreds of dollars that will come out of our pockets. For sure the new 4 mill tax coming from the school districts will add to your tax bill. All the school employees have been told to vote for it, everyone else will stay home on voting day - and it will pass. My insurance company let me know that they will not pay the service tax on medical bills - that will be my problem. So thanks to the state government that might be an additional amount to come out of my pocket. I was in 4-H as a child, we did not get government support - we sold things - animals, fruit, christmas trees, etc to provide the funds. I am all in favor of 4-H, but it is not a government function. Economic development is fine, but who should get the money and how to we really measure the return on the investment? We have a 1 party county, is it time to think about maybe voting for a different party - maybe libertarian, maybe the No More Taxes party? I don't know, I do know my commissioner is now not getting my vote or my wife's vote. I will actively work against them in the next election - it is time to change the local governments attitude of "If we want to spend it - we can tax you for it".
AccruedInterest
Thu, Oct 8, 2009 : 2:43 p.m.
Again, it's $6 a year if your appraised value is $300k, or $.50/month, or $.25/paycheck if you get paid every 2 weeks. It's not presumption to state that it's not much money. My point was people who complain about this have a philosophical objection to taxes (which is a legitimate position), but to get excited about $.25/paycheck borders on tea-party-worthy hysteria.
Ryan J. Stanton
Thu, Oct 8, 2009 : 1:55 p.m.
Washtenaw County officials will be talking infrastructure at tonight's working session http://bit.ly/3YT4F0
KeepingItReal
Thu, Oct 8, 2009 : 1:25 p.m.
Accruedinterest: It is very presumptious of you to assume that what you consider to be a small amount of money does not impact others who may be facing very difficult circumstances in this economy. More importantly, our political representatives( I refuse to use the word leader)display of arrogance and insensitivity is very telling indeed and I hope the citizens, voters and taxpayers of this community remember this decision when its time for them to run for re-election. Kudos to Kristin Judge and Wes Prater for believing that Act 88 is significant to put before the voters. Its Time for new blood on the commission.
dotdash
Thu, Oct 8, 2009 : 1:03 p.m.
I think the problem is that these issues don't seem like emergencies -- like the kind of things you want to go back to the voters for in times like these. Police officers on the street, court systems, okay. And maybe even SPARK, if it pays returns in the long run. But 4-H? Extra millage for that just seems as if no one on the county board can make hard decisions. These are hard times; make some hard decisions, please.
Marvin Face
Thu, Oct 8, 2009 : 11:55 a.m.
Wait. This will cost me another $24? It might not seem like much but you start adding this stuff up and pretty soon you're talking about real money.
Steve Hendel
Thu, Oct 8, 2009 : 11:17 a.m.
NO! The argument that we should accept an expenditure of public funds because "It's only $X a year" or It's only Y% of the overall budget" is nonsense. Especially in harsh economic times, no public expenditure should get a 'bye.' What did that famous politician say-"A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you're talking big money."
Neo
Thu, Oct 8, 2009 : 10:45 a.m.
@AccuredInterest One can only dream of owning a $300,000 house in this economy. $6 will not break my back, however, I want to choose what to do with my money, thank you very much. Taxes never stop, they keep coming year after year. $6 is another notch on the thermostat that is boiling the frogs.
AccruedInterest
Thu, Oct 8, 2009 : 10:11 a.m.
$4/$100k taxable value. If your home is appraised at $300k, you pay an extra $6. That amount is so immaterial, your arguments must be philosophical. Fine, we can have an argument about taxes in general, but this.04 mill increase won't break your budget.
Ryan J. Stanton
Thu, Oct 8, 2009 : 9:29 a.m.
Here's a link to a memo from MSU Extension Director Nancy Thelen and Strategic Planning Director Anthony VanDerworp that provides more info on the Act 88 millage: http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/boc/agenda/wm/year_2009/2009-10-07wm/2009-10-07wm12.pdf
Kristin Judge
Thu, Oct 8, 2009 : 9:13 a.m.
The programs in this Act are important programs, but just like we were able to find an extra $450,000 in our budget to help fund the critical non-profits that keep people out of our jails, we can find $15,000 to fund FSEP. I did not increase taxes on the community while people are loosing their jobs because I am not convinced that we have gone over the budget thoroughly enough to know there is not already money in there to cover some of these expenses. Commissioners need to be encouraged to take a more in depth at the line items like Commissioner Irwin did to find money for critical programs. Increasing taxes on the residents of Washtenaw County without their vote is not something I can do in this economy. We have less money to work with, that is true, but requiring you to pay more right now without your vote is not something I will do. To keep up on county issues and have opportunities for feedback, subscribe to my monthly e-newsletter. Just email me at judgek@ewashtenaw.org. Kristin Judge, Commissioner District 7
Neo
Thu, Oct 8, 2009 : 7:14 a.m.
I agree with Gobue. This should have been voted on. Dale Lesser said "But Extension and 4-H and FSEP are all things that are very important to us, and so this is a way to keep connected to the system, and that's why I'm supporting it." My mortgage and utilities are very important to me, can I raise taxes in Washtenaw county to help me pay for them? Who will help Joe Worker with his bills? I'm amazed how our so called leaders spend money like drunken sailors then when it's all gone, they just go to the taxpayers for more...no big deal. Like a crack addict. Amazing.
Penniebell
Thu, Oct 8, 2009 : 6:49 a.m.
Thanks to those Commissioners that voted to fund these very important programs. $4.00, for one year, is a small price to pay to continue these worthwhile activities. Fully half of this tax is to help and encourage business/jobs in the county. Business and jobs are what this county/state needs. The Commissioners that voted for this are doing their jobs.
braggslaw
Thu, Oct 8, 2009 : 6:21 a.m.
End Run, stop raising taxes to give money to non-profit groups. Let individuals make those decisions.
KeepingItReal
Thu, Oct 8, 2009 : 6:20 a.m.
The Commissioner who represents my District just lost two of my household votes. I will certainly be campaigning against her during her next election bid. Again, this is typical Guenzel style. He he does not get his way by going directly to the voters and getting their approval, he does an end run to get what he wants. It's time for a change.
GoblueBeatOSU
Thu, Oct 8, 2009 : 5:40 a.m.
"Isn't this an end run around decisions already made?"..it sure is "dotdash". Any tax increase of any kind should go before the voters. Who do these people think they are to raise taxes on their own. Tax increases need to be voted on by the general public. You know, the people that are paying their hard earned dollars. Just amazing that these people seem to think it is right to just spend the money that other people have earned. I know what they did may be legal. Ethically it is WRONG! These people need to go...well...except for Kristin Judge and Wesley Prater..they showed they care about this county and the rights of the taxpayer.
Vivienne Armentrout
Wed, Oct 7, 2009 : 9:14 p.m.
I'm glad that FSEP and the ag innovation counselor (Mike Score) were supported with this money. These are important in continuing to support local food production. Thanks for the reporting.
dotdash
Wed, Oct 7, 2009 : 9:10 p.m.
I don't want to pay new taxes to support 4-H. I've nothing against it, but in a recession, really? New taxes for 4-H and horticulture? Aren't the exact items that were trimmed from the budget earlier in the process? Isn't this an end run around decisions already made?
Engineer
Wed, Oct 7, 2009 : 8:16 p.m.
More taxes just what we do NOT need. The county needs to quite giving money to all the non-profit group they do. If I want to donate to them I will do it on my own. This is exactly why you are hearing of tea parties and the reason this country revolted dur our founding. NO MORE TAXES.
Ryan J. Stanton
Wed, Oct 7, 2009 : 7:54 p.m.
I'm still in the meeting right now. There's more news coming on union concessions that were announced tonight and a restoration of some human services funding that was cut from the 2010-11 budget by the county administrator.