By Jim Bloch
Port Huron voters will head to the polls during a special election set for May 7 to decide whether or not to renew two millages.
The first is the renewal of the tax that supports Blue Water Area Transit. If approved, a tax of .6068 mills will be collected in each of the next four years, July 1, 2024-June 30, 2028 to fund the public bus system in the area. That’s a tax of 60.69 cents per $1,000 of taxable value. The city of Port Huron runs BWAT in conjunction with Fort Gratiot Township, which will also hold a millage vote on May 7.
The second is a renewal of a two mill tax that supports local street work in the city of Port Huron. Technically, residents will be voting on May 7 to amend Section 7-2(b) of the city charter, which will put into effect the renewal of the two mill tax originally approved in 2013. Like the previous amendment, the length of the tax will be 10 years, July 1, 2024-June 30, 2034.
At its regular meeting Dec. 11, the city council voted unanimously to approve the two resolutions directing City Clerk Cyndee Jonseck to set May 7 as the date for the special election.
“(F)or the general health, safety and welfare of the residents of the City of Port Huron there is a desire to maintain our streets through a regular program of repair and resurfacing,” read the resolution authorizing the special election for street funding.
The transportation millage in the city is expected to generate $441,624 in its first year. In Fort Gratiot Township, the millage will yield an estimated $310,874 in its first year. In addition to the millages, the county bus system is supported by funding from fare boxes and the Michigan Department of Transportation.
The road millage is expected to generate $1,410,000 in its first year.
Ballot language
For Blue Water Transportation:
“RENEWAL OF BLUE WATER AREA TRANSPORTATION MILLAGE
Shall the limitation on the total amount of all taxes which may be assessed against all real and personal taxable property in the City of Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan, be renewed at the previously authorized rate of up to 0.6068 mills of the taxable valuable (60.68 cents per $1,000 of state taxable value) as finally equalized for each of the next four (4) years, to expire in 2028, for the purpose of providing funds, estimated to be $441,624 for the first year of levy, for the City of Port Huron’s share of the operation of the Blue Water Area Transportation Commission for the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2028? This is a renewal of a 2020 millage passed for the same purpose.”
For roads:
“CHARTER AMENDMENT PROPOSITION RENEWAL OF STREETS MILLAGE Shall Section 7-2(b) of the Charter of the City of Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan, be amended to permit the continuation of a levy by the City of an additional ad valorem tax in an amount not to exceed two (2) mills for a period of ten (10) years, starting July 1, 2024 and continuing through June 30, 2034, for the purpose of providing funds solely for resurfacing and reconstruction of City Streets? If approved and levied it is estimated this millage would raise $1,410,000 in its first year.”
Jim Bloch is a freelance writer based in St. Clair, Michigan. Contact him at bloch.jim@gmail.com.
