Wyandotte Voters Could Face Millage in November

If Wyandotte voters are asked to approve a millage in November to help offset next year’s budget deficit, the requested amount could be as high as 3 mills.

In a presentation Monday night to the , City Administrator Todd Drysdale said Wyandotte is expecting a $1.8 million revenue shortfall in the 2011-12 budget, which takes effect Oct. 1.

Every mill that’s levied raises about $600,000 in revenue, Drysdale said. So three mills would equal the estimated $1.8 million shortfall.

Drysdale said he isn’t convinced that a millage is the route to go, nor is he trying to steer the volunteer committee to support the notion. It’s just one of many options to be considered, he said.

There were clear differences of opinion amongst those on the committee, with some outright suggesting a millage be put before voters while others saying it should only be a last resort.

Milt Zavsza said a millage is only as good as the number of years it’s levied. Once it expires, if nothing else is done, he said, the city will once again be in financially stressful times.

“It’s a great fix, but it might not be the permanent fix we’re looking for,” he said. “It’s a temporary fix. … We have to find ways to bring money into the city. Period.”

Eron Feltz agreed, but said he is concerned that there’s not enough time to bring the amount of money into the city that’s needed to balance next year’s budget. If a millage passes, it could immediately begin to generate the money, Feltz said.

If a millage is put forth before voters, Drysdale said, he recommends that it be for a specific use, such as senior services or police and fire. He said voters seem to pass those types of millages more often than those that are for general operating purposes.

“I think it’s dangerous when you just say you want a general millage,” Drysdale said. “It really requires a lot of trust of your elected officials.”

Richard Custer said a millage is an option, but in order to get voters to approve it, other cuts must be made, as well. He supports a number of measures, including consolidating the and into one public safety director position.

“Those are some of the things we have got to look at or else someone else will do it for us,” he said. “To just throw a millage out there, I don’t think they are going to buy into it.”

Committee members plan to begin prioritizing their ideas on cutting the budget or bringing in more revenue at their meeting next week. The committee meets at 5 p.m. Mondays in the training room on the second floor of the . The meetings are open to the public.