WAYNE COUNTY, Mich. – A millage is on the ballot in all five Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods for senior citizens in those communities.
The millage would support services for senior citizens, such as transportation, activities, and facilities.
Grosse Pointe Park Mayor Michele Hodges share why city council decided to let voters weigh in.
“I speak for the body, not as an individual, felt this was worthy to bring forward to the voters so that they can help guide us on how we’re going to meet the needs of the senior citizens of the community,” said Hodges.
State law allows up to one mill to be levied for senior programs through a ballot initiative
However, this millage on the ballot in the Grosse Pointe cities and Harper Woods would only allow each municipality to levy up to .35 mills for services targeting senior citizens.
Voters must approve it in at least four of the six communities to go into effect.
The Active Adult Commission, comprised of members from each city, would distribute the funds to senior services providers.
The Helm, located in Grosse Pointe Farms, could be one of those providers.
The nonprofit’s executive director, Krista Siddall, said Helm would use the funds to expand its offerings, including adding an adult daycare.
“Having services for our aging population is really important. We are seeing a demographic shift in our population,” Hodges said. “We want to be proactive instead of reactive. In order to do that we need to have a sustainable stream of income.”
If approved, the millage will only last for 6 years.
It would have to return to the ballot for the funding to continue.
Read the full proposal below:
Shall the City of Grosse Pointe Park be authorized to levy a new additional millage of up to .35 mills ($.35 per $1,000.00 of taxable value) for six (6) years beginning in 2025 and ending in 2030 to be disbursed to the Grosse Pointe Active Adult Commission, for the purpose of supporting services to older citizens, including transportation, activities and facilities directed toward improvement of the overall health and welfare of older persons?
Approval of the above proposal would allow the City to levy up to .35 mills as a new millage for the purpose of supporting services to older citizens, including transportation, activities and facilities directed toward improvement of the overall health and welfare of older persons. It is estimated that this proposal would result in an authorization to collect up to $275,590.00 in the first year if approved and fully levied. By operation of law, a portion of the millage revenue may be dispersed to the City of Grosse Pointe Park’s Downtown Development Authority and Tax Increment Financing Authority. If approved, this senior millage will only be levied by the City if at least four (4) of the six (6) Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods communities approve their respective senior millages.