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Even in these difficult times, Michigan voters in 27 municipalities all said “yes” to public transportation-related ballot initiatives on Aug. 7, voting overwhelmingly for public transit millages.
While the lowest “yes” vote was 54 percent—a substantial number by any measure—most of the percentages were in the mid 70s and above.
More than two-thirds of voters in Genesee County, MI—67 percent—approved a five-year renewal of the 0.4-mill countywide property tax that supports the Mass Transportation Authority’s Your Ride paratransit service in Flint, MI. This measure is estimated to raise about $3.3 million in its first year.
In Ingham County, served by Lansing’s Capital Area Transportation Authority, voters approved a four-year, 0.12-mill property tax increase to supplement funding for the public transit agency.
With 74 percent of voters in favor, the measure is expected to generate approximately $784,000 annually on top of the $3.2 million provided by the current 0.48-mill levy.
The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation will benefit from a two-year property tax renewal measure passed in Oakland County. The continuance of a 0.59-mill levy won with 80 percent of the vote.
Five municipalities in the state approved new and renewed millages to support the Shiawassee Area Transportation Authority in Corunna, MI. In Caledonia Township, 74 percent voted in favor of a two-year, 0.17 mill increase to support existing transportation services; in Owosso, 76 percent favored a five-year, 0.08-mill increase and renewal for a total of 0.3333 mills; in Owosso Township, 74 percent of voters passed a two-year, 0.333-mill levy; 57 percent of voters in Perry renewed an 0.25-mill levy for two years; and Durand voters passed a three-year, 0.175-mill levy by 66 percent.
Three municipalities served by the Interurban Transit Authority in Douglas, MI, approved reinstatement of a half-mill property tax for five years to support the agency. The positive vote was 83 percent in Douglas, 83 percent in Saugatuck, and 80 percent in Saugatuck Township.
Seventy percent of voters in Caro approved a four-year, one-mill levy for the Caro Transit Authority.
Voters in Gogebic County supported a four-year, 0.33-mill levy for the Gogebic County Transit System with 82 percent in favor.
In Isabella County, the four-year restoration of a property tax of 0.9929 of one mill won by 58 percent to 42 percent.
The Ontonagon County Transit System will receive revenues from a four-year, one-mill renewal approved by 70 percent of the county’s voters.
Bedford Township and Frenchtown Township both renewed millages to support services provided by Lake Erie Transit. In Bedford Township, 54 percent of voters approved a quarter-mill property tax; in Frenchtown Township, a three-year, 0.75-mill property tax won with 63 percent of the vote.
Bruce and Washington Townships together approved—with 78 percent of the vote—renewal of a four-year, quarter-mill renewal to support transportation services to seniors and persons with disabilities.
Sixty-four percent of Charlevoix County voters renewed a quarter-mill levy for four years to support operations of the county’s public transit system.
Voters in Clinton County approved a four-year, 0.20-mill tax renewal to support operations of the Clinton Area Transit System, passing the measure with 70 percent of the vote.
In Huron County, a five-year, 0.20-mill renewal for operational support of the Huron Transit Corporation received 73 percent of the vote.
A five-year, one-mill property tax renewal for the Jackson Area Transportation Authority won with 77 percent of the vote in Jackson.
The Yates Dial-a-Ride program, which serves all of Lake County, received 64 percent of votes in the county to renew a five-year, 0.40-mill property tax.
Three quarters of voters in Monroe approved a three-year renewal of a 0.75-mill tax for regular bus routes and service for persons with disabilities.
In Niles, a two-year, half-mill levy for operational support of the Dial-A-Ride bus system passed with 63 percent of the vote.
Renewal of a five-year, 0.25-mill renewal for the Otsego County Bus System passed with 73 percent of votes in the county.
Pere Marquette Charter Township voters approved a five-year, 0.4-mill increase to support public transit service in the township by Ludington Mass Transportation Authority, with 74 percent in favor. |
