The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners will meet tonight, and a millage is expected to be a main topic of discussion.
The board will decide Wednesday night whether to put a half-mill tax issue before voters in November. Should the issue make it to the ballot and then win voter support, it would raise over $7 million dollars in 2017. The tax would be collected for a period of four years in total. Revenue generated by the collection would be allocated to road repairs and non-motorized transportation projects.
Commissioner Andy LaBarre says he plans to vote against the millage, because funding is needed elsewhere int he county.
"The cost of public safety on a per unit basis is going to keep on increasing because of forces that are far greater than the county can impact."
The Washtenaw County Road Commission says the millage would cost an average homeowner about $35 a year. The board will also consider placing a .1 mill tax issue on the November ballot for indigent veteran claims. If approved, that millage would raise over $1.5 million dollars in 2017. The tax would be collected for a period of six years. Commissioner LaBarre says the millage would ensure Washtenaw County does its part to provide services to veterans.
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— Jorge Avellan is the Ann Arbor beat reporter and anchor for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him javellan@emich.edu