Wyandotte Election Primer for Tuesday's Ballot Issue

Wyandotte voters will head to the polls Tuesday to decide whether they want to pay more in taxes to keep the current level of city services.

is expected to generate about $1 million in revenue in the first year to help offset an estimated $1.4 million budget shortfall.

If approved, it will cost the average homeowner about $85 a year for three years, according to City Administrator Todd Drysdale.

If the millage is defeated, officials said, drastic cuts would have to be made to city services.

The tax question is the only item on Tuesday's ballot in Wyandotte.

The idea for the millage came as a result of weekly meetings of the which Mayor Joseph Peterson formed to look at the city's budget and come up with ways to cut costs or increase revenue.

The issue got contentious in August when when two City Council members–James DeSana and Sheri Sutherby-Fricke–. The two later changed their vote and allowed the issue to be put before voters for an ultimate decision.

A group entitled have pushed for the passage of the millage. The group, which is run by residents Richard Miller and Larry Tavernier, sent out postcards to absentee voters and paid for the blue lawn signs that appear throughout the city.

Wyandotte firefighters also have publicly backed the millage and paid for red lawn signs, which encourage a "yes" vote.

There have been no organized efforts in opposition.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Come back to Wyandotte Patch Tuesday night for full election results.

Because some of the voting precincts are inside schools, classes are canceled Tuesday for all of .

Wyandotte Voting Precincts

If you're unsure which polling precinct you are assigned to, see the PDF under the photos above.