WAYNE COUNTY RACES: Tax levies and mayors are on Tuesday ballots

BY MELANIE D. SCOTT
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

Voters in Wayne County have more than choosing their public officials to worry about when they head to the polls Tuesday.

Many also will be asked to weigh in on numerous ballot proposals including tax levies and charter amendments.

In Hamtramck, voters will be asked whether a newly drafted city charter proposed by the city's Charter Revision Commission should be adopted.

Since the commission was formed last year, members have met once or twice a week to revise the current city charter, which originally was drafted in 1922.

Although parts of the charter have been amended over the years, the city decided it was time to formally change it.

"Last year we asked voters if they wanted to revise the city charter," said Hamtramck Clerk Robert Cwiertniewicz. "They overwhelmingly said yes."

Inkster voters will be asked whether their city charter should be revised.

They also will choose nine candidates who will act as charter commissioners. This is the second time the question is on the ballot because the proposal was defeated last year.

Inkster voters also will be asked whether the city can borrow $12 million in bonds, payable in 30 years, for construction and improvements to the combined sewer overflow separation system.

The city is in the second phase of a project to improve the system as part of a state Department of Environmental Quality mandate.

Voters in Plymouth will be asked to approve a Headlee override that would allow the city to raise its millage rate of 11.39 mills to the charter limit of 15 mills for the next three years.

The city is seeking the increase because of cuts in state funding as well as a budget deficit.

The owner of a home with a taxable value of $78,000 would pay an additional $281 a year.

Voters in Harper Woods are being asked to approve a 0.303 mill tax levy that would allow the city to borrow $3.1 million for expansion and renovations to the city's library.

The owner of a home with a taxable value of $129,000 would pay about $38 dollars more in taxes per year.

In addition to considering ballot proposals, many Wayne County voters will choose new leaders for their cities.

Allen Park, Garden City, Grosse Pointe Farms, Highland Park, Lincoln Park and Livonia are among the communities that will choose new mayors.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. throughout Wayne County.