Our choices on local ballot issues

Local voters must decide ballot proposals Nov. 4 involving a varitety of tax hike requests. And along with voters statewide, they also must weigh a referendum on wolf hunting. There are also several communities that want guidance on decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Wolf hunting

Two proposals are on all state ballots concerning the hunting of wolves. Technically they don't mean much, if anything.

Voters are being asked if they support wolf hunting and if they want the Michigan Natural Resources Commission to monitor and set hunting seasons for wolves and other game.

Anti-wolf hunting advocates submitted enough signed petitions to get the issues on the ballot but the legislature last summer pre-empted the voting by approving wolf hunting and letting the NRC control it.

Basically, a "yes" confirms voters approval of what the legislature did and a "no" represents disapproval. We recommend a yes vote.

Street repairs

Several communities are seeking extra funds to improve local streets. The millage proposals in the following communities are reasonable and should be approved:

Farmington Hills wants an extra 2 mills for 10 years.

In Macomb, Memphis is asking for a 2-mill hike for 15 years; St. Clair Shores is looking for a 1.25-mill boost for five years; Harrison Township is asking for an extra 1.5 mills for 20 years; and Royal Oak is requesting up to 2.5 mills for 10 years.

Fraser seeks approval of a $5.135 million bond issue for street work for five years with 1.977 mills levied the first year. Southfield also has a bond issue for up to $99 million for road repairs for up to 20 years. The first year levy is estimated at 2.58 mills.

Public safety

Four communities in Oakland County and two in Macomb are asking residents for more money for police and fire protection.

These should be basic services that get the first claim on tax dollars, and no require additional millages. Voters should reject all of the following requests:

In Oakland County, Orion Township wants an extra .6 mills for five years for fire protection; Oxford has two proposals, one is a 3.5-mill increase for six years for fire protection and a second one seeks an increase of 3.9152 mills for five years for police services; Rochester Hills wants a charter amendment that for the coming fiscal year will boost taxes by .7436 mills for fire protection. Ultimately, the tax increase could be up to one mill to run indefinitely.

Pleasant Ridge seeks an additional 2.9 mills, also for an indefinite period. Many communities, through charter amendments, don't have sunset dates on their millages but to be fair to the taxpayers, they should.

In Macomb County, Washington Township wants an extra mill for three years for police protection and Armada Township seeks a 1.5-mills hike for 10 years for fire services.

School bonds

Four school districts are seeking bond issue approvals and all should be weighed skeptically by voters.

The Avondale School District seeks approval for a $2.175 million bond issue for new equipment and technology improvements for six years. Meanwhile, Holly and Warren Woods want to establish sinking funds for construction and/or repair.

Holly seeks an additional 1.2 mills for 10 years and Warren Woods wants an extra 1 mill for seven years.

Decisions on equipment purchases are left up to local districts and funds from the state Technology Readiness Infrastructure Grants could be used to lease as well as buy equipment.

But districts have not aggressively pursued leasing.

The cloud system also offers districts the ability to bypass purchasing equipment that will become outdated. For these reasons, all three proposals should be rejected.

Voters in the Romeo School District also should reject a costly $7 million bond issue for 16 years for improvements to its athletic facilities.

Parks

Pleasant Ridge has another tax increase proposal seeking .75 mills for 10 years for park improvements.

Voters should question its necessity and vote no.

Library

Three communities are seeking tax increases for library services.

While the hikes may seem minimal, voters must question their need. Voters should reject the proposals and ask their officials to be more financially creative.

Addison Township wants a .2-mill increase for 10 years; Bloomfield Township seeks an additional .5410 mills for 10 years; and Oxford Township is asking for .4518 mills for 10 years.

Transportation

Addison Township is also seeking an increase of .25 mills for the North Oakland Transportation Authority to replace lost grant funds. Revamping the budget and some fiscal restraint should do the job without a tax hike. Vote no.

Marijuana

In Oakland County, Berkley, Huntington Woods and Pleasant Ridge have ballot proposals decriminalizing the possession and transportation of small amounts of marijuana for those over the age of 21. While state law should clarify existing provisions regarding marijuana possession for the sake of all residents, the smart trend for cities is to vote yes.

Trash

Bloomfield Hills is asking residents if the city should contract with one waste hauler instead of allowing residents to choose a company to pick up their garbage.

Supporting the argument is that a single hauler helps protect roads and saves residents money.

The key to keeping the free market aspect in deciding on a single hauler is making sure all companies have the same opportunity to bid on a contract and closely monitoring the chosen company. Voters should say yes.