Turn up the heat on your home search this summer! Caron Koteles Riha
candgnews.com
JUNE 5, 2024 Vol. 43, No. 12
GRI, CRS, ABR, SRES Associate Broker
(248) 379-6651
Don’t Make A Move Without ME!!
BEER HONORS WARTIME LEGACY, VETERANS/3A
Madison Heights City Council approves budget for FY 2024-25
™
CaronKoteles.com Caron@CaronKoteles.com
1002 N Main St, Rochester, MI 48307
0243-2423
CALL TODAY!
Memorial Day festivities
BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com
MADISON HEIGHTS — While the budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 in Madison Heights features a lower millage rate, officials say that most residents can expect a slight increase in taxes due to rising property values. The Madison Heights City Council unanimously approved the budget for fiscal year 2024-25 during its regular meeting May 13. The budget clocks in at $66 million, up from the current year’s amended total of $65.4 million. The total millage rate is reduced by about 0.1 mill. Prior to casting his vote, Mayor Pro Tem Mark Bliss said the new budget is a great value. “I think for me, as a resident and taxpayer, knowing this is a lower tax rate year over year, and knowing the city could tax more but we’re choosing to keep it as low as we possibly can, I think that’s a highlight, and a real testament to our staff and council,” Bliss said. “We’re able to continue providing the services and investments that the community needs, without adding to the inflation all of us are living with right now.” Of the $66 million, $42.7 million is assigned for the general fund, which covers the bulk of city operations including general administration, police, fire, emergency medical services, library, parks, recreation, city clerk and elections. Also included are special millages for senior citizens, solid waste, the drain debt, neighborhood road improvements, and police and fire retiree benefits. The total millage rate covers the general fund and will be set at 25.4572 mills in fiscal year 2024-25. This is down slightly from the cur-
TOP LEFT: A carnival featuring a variety of attractions set up shop at Green Acres Park the last weekend of May, part of Hazel Park’s annual Memorial Weekend festivities. TOP RIGHT: The Drum Messengers keep the beat as they march down 11 Mile Road to Madison High during the 2024 Madison Heights Memorial Day Parade. LEFT: On May 25, the Saturday before Memorial Day, members of the Madison Heights Boy Scouts of America Troop 1589 Color Guard stand at attention with students in the Madison High and Lamphere High marching bands during a memorial service at the Madison High School football field. Photos by Liz Carnegie
See BUDGET on page 13A
2024 Subaru Outback
Woodward Ave. N. of 8 Mile • FERNDALE HodgesSubaru.com • 248.547.8800
0115-2423
*Manufacturer Offer. No down payment required. Financing for well-qualified applicants only. Length of contract is limited. Subject to credit approval, vehicle insurance approval and vehicle availability model OUTBACK RDF, RDG, RDH, RDI, RDJ, RDL. From dealer stock by 6/30/2024