candgnews.com SEPTEMBER 25, 2024 Vol. 17, No. 20
PARKS MILLAGE Vote Nov. 5
8A
SPOTLIGHT ON Multigenerational housing SENIOR LIVING is making a comeback
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Great Parks and Connected Communities A Greener, More Resilient Future
Hills residents to decide road tax in November BY MARK VEST
mvest@candgnews.com
FARMINGTON HILLS — Among the multiple decisions that Farmington Hills residents will make this November, one is whether to renew a special tax rate for improvement, rehabilitation, repair and maintenance of public roads, streets and road drainage in the city. In 2014, voters approved 2 mills for roads, and with that millage slated to expire this year, ballot language for the Nov. 5 general election is giving them a chance to decide if they want to renew it or have it taken off of their tax bills. If approved, the public roads and streets millage would begin with the July 2025 tax levy and last for a period of 10 years. Two mills equals $2 per $1,000 of a home’s taxable value. Property tax values can be found on property tax statements and by checking with the local assessor’s office. According to Jacob Rushlow, who is the director of public services in Farmington Hills, the average taxable value of homes in the city is about $120,000, which means that at a rate of 2 mills, the average homeowner is paying $240 annually for the millage. In Farmington Hills, according to Rushlow, the average market value of a home is $360,000. He shared what money from the millage pays for. “The project pays for maintenance, rehabilitation and reconstruction of the road network,” Rushlow said. “The millage will create about $9 million annually. Our plan is to spend that $9 million on major and local roads for improvement.” According to Rushlow, projects this year have includ-
ABOVE: Farmington Hills residents will decide if they want to extend a road millage in November. Farmington Road, between 13 and 14 mile roads, is one of the roads that millage money might help repair within the next five years. Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
LEFT: Pictured are before and after photos of a stretch of 14 Mile Road, from Drake to Farmington roads, that had some work done. Photos provided by the city of Farmington Hills
See ROAD TAX on page 6A
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