Park Twp. Road Millage Vote Set for Aug. 3

On Tuesday, Aug. 3, Park residents can vote on a proposed millage to raise funds for road repairs in the township. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Park Township Hall, 53640 Parkville Road. Voters who wish to request absentee ballots can visit the township hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 31 and Sunday, Aug. 1

The road millage seeks to raise .5 mills for four years, and will raise $72,146 for the first year. As proposed, the millage will cost township property owners 50 cents per every $1,000 of taxable value. For a property with $100,000 in taxable value, this would come to $50 per year.

The proposed millage will run from 2021-2024 and then be discontinued. During that time, 100 percent of the funds raised will be spent on road repairs in Park Township. Currently, the Township funds road repairs by taking money from its general fund, as neither St. Joseph County, the State of Michigan, nor the Federal government provides adequate and consistent funding for road maintenance. Below is the language as it appears on the ballot:

Shall Park Township impose an increase of up to .50 mills ($.50 per $1,000 of taxable value) in the tax limitation under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution on general or ad valorem taxes and levy it for 4 years (2021 through 2024 inclusive) for the purpose of funding improvements, which .50 will raise an estimated $72,146 in the first year that millage is levied? Yes or No.