The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners has approved language for a 1 mill tax proposal that will appear on the November ballot. But amendments were made to the public safety and mental health services proposal before it was approved.
The millage is now being proposed for eight years instead of ten to align with the county's four-year budget process. If the tax is approved, both the WashtenawCounty's Sheriff's Office andCommunity Mental Health Serviceswould receive 38% of the revenue while local police departments would get 24%.
County Commissioner Andy LaBarre explains why some of those figures changed by one percent.
"We want to equally value public safety and mental health in this ask. And frankly, it just made sense to have an even number ask on both of these."
If approved, the millage would generate over $15 million during the first year. The millage would be an annual property tax of $1 for every $1,000 of taxable value. The county says the millage is needed as a result of state budget cuts.
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— Jorge Avellan is a reporter for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him javellan@emich.edu
