Wyandotte Mayor Recommends Millage Increase

Rather than drastically cutting city services to combat an estimated $1.8 million budget shortfall, Mayor Joseph Peterson is proposing that residents be allowed to vote on a millage increase that would up their taxes to avoid drastic cuts to services such as police and fire.

Peterson plans to ask the Wyandotte City Council at their 7 p.m. meeting tonight to approve putting before voters in a special Nov. 8 election.

, City Administrator Todd Drysdale said. So three mills would equal the estimated $1.8-million shortfall.

If voters approve the millage, , City Assessor Colleen Keehn said. Collection of the tax would begin in December.

“The issue of increased taxes is not something that any of us should take lightly,” Peterson wrote in a letter to city officials. “But, the magnitude of negative changes to our city that would occur based on the significant financial challenges we are facing prompts this issue to be placed in front of the citizens for their opportunity to keep Wyandotte the place they affectionately call home.”

An independent met for weeks to come up with ideas on addressing the budget shortfall. One of their earliest conclusions was going out for a millage. Peterson said the idea makes sense and his request to council is merely a continuation with what some residents have already suggested.

“I hope that all of my colleagues can hold the rhetoric regarding the issue of tax increases,” Peterson wrote. “Agreeing to place a supplemental millage on the ballot for approval is simply agreeing to do what our citizens asked for. This is consistent with our responsibilities as elected officials. Our citizens have a right to determine if they want to continue to fund services as opposed to eliminate or reduce them.”

The timing of things is somewhat complicated, however. The city’s fiscal year starts Oct. 1, but the earliest the ballot question can be put before voters is Nov. 8. Because of that monthlong gap, officials plan to create a budget with $1.8 million in cuts in case voters reject the tax increase. The cuts, however, won’t be implemented unless voters turn down the millage increase.

“The necessary cuts are going to be extremely painful and will affect both employees and citizens dramatically,” Peterson wrote.