DEARBORN, Michigan – Proposals on the Nov. 8 ballot ask voters to make decisions about temporarily increasing the funding for City services and authorizing a dedicated source of revenue for the library system.
Mary M. Bugeia - President of Dearborn & Dearborn Heights - League of Women Voters - Moderator of recent ballot information forum.
Proposal One asks voters to temporarily increase the millage rate for city services by no more than 3.5 mills for no more than 5 years. The temporary tax rate would cost the owner of an average Dearborn home about $187 more a year, if fully levied. The City has lost revenue for basic services because of sharp declines in property values and other economic factors.
Proposal Two asks voters to approve a one-mill increase to fund library services for up to 10 years.
A third ballot proposal asks voters to decide if the Civil Service System, which applies to certain City of Dearborn employees, should be eliminated from the City Charter.
Citizens can view a League of Women Voters forum online – featuring Mayor O’Reilly talking about the temporary tax rate increase, the library funding measure and Proposal 3.
A local voter guide from the League of Women Voters – Dearborn, Dearborn Heights (LWVDDH.org) can be found on their website.
Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday. For election information, call the Dearborn City Clerk’s Office at 943-2032.