Brandon Twp.- Voters will be asked in August 2006 to approve the restoration of .3981 mills to the township’s operating tax rate on property.
Approval would bring the total mills that the township could levy to 1.41, the amount voters authorized in 1978. The Headlee Amendment, which limits property tax revenues to the rate of inflation, has reduced that amount over the years to the current 1.0119 mills the township levies.
‘It doesn’t mean the township would levy more than the one mill currently levied, but if we don’t restore it, the Headlee rollback will take us under one mill in 2006,? Lapp said. ‘If costs keep escalating we could have a higher mill, but we could reduce police and fire mills levied. We’re not asking for an increase, just asking for what was authorized in 1978.?
Lapp says he would be surprised if voters don’t approve it. If they do not, he cautions there could be layoffs and cutbacks in the hours of operation.
‘The reality is, if the money’s not there, how do you operate?? he asked. ‘We want to provide the best services possible.?
The township board will have informational meetings on the millage restoration next year. No dates have been set.