KALAMAZOO & CALHOUN COUNTIES, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — On the ballot on Tuesday are measures that could impact transit, education, and infrastructure in Southwest Michigan.
Here’s a breakdown of what proposals voters will be deciding on in the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo areas:
- Kalamazoo County Metro Transit Millage
Voters in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Township, Portage, Comstock Township, and Oshtemo Township will see a proposal to increase funding for bus transit.
The Kalamazoo County Metro Transit Authority is asking to levy a 0.9-mill millage tax for the next five years. If approved by voters, the tax will replace the current 0.75-mill rate which expires this year.
County residents previously renewed the .75 millage in 2015.
The transit authority says the millage would cost the owner of a $100,000 home and estimated $45 each year. Money raised from millages only make up 36% of the bus system’s budget, with a majority of funding received via state and federal grants.
Transit officials say the proposed millage increase will offset an expected drop in the state government’s reimbursement rate. The Michigan Department of transportation reimburses a percentage of every dollar spent by transit authorities using funds raised by the statewide gas tax.
This new millage is meant to maintain and upgrade the transit authority’s fixed-route bus system. An existing 0.3145-mil countywide tax funds Metro Connect, a transfer and on-demand ride program. That millage was passed by voters in 2016 and will be on the ballot again for renewal in 2021.
- Battle Creek Mayor Proposal
On the ballot in Battle Creek is a new way of choosing that city’s mayor.
Proposal One asks voters whether the city should change the mayor into a separate position, voted on at-large in a direct election by Battle Creek residents.
The mayor is currently chosen among nine city commissioners by themselves, and is for the most part tasked with chairing meetings and representing the city.
The new mayor would serve a two-year term and conduct business in a separate mayoral office.
Battle Creek’s nine-member city commission has five ward commissioners and four at-large commissioners. Under Battle Creek’s commission-manager system the bulk of day to day operations is handled by the city manager. The new proposal was introduced by a commission appointed Blue Ribbon Advisory Committee, which would make the city follow suit with how other similar-sized cities choose their mayor.
Candidates would not be able to run for both the city commission and mayor’s office. If approved, city commissioners will still be able to select the position of vice mayor as they do right now.
- Battle Creek City Charter Language Proposal
A proposal to change the language of the Battle Creek city charter making it more gender-inclusive will be on the ballot Tuesday.
Presently the city charter refers to city officials and male employees using the male pronouns “He” and “Him.” If approved, the proposal would change the pronouns to the gender non-specific “They” and “Them.”
The proposal was introduced to reflect the participation of woman and non-binary individuals in Battle Creek’s government. The city charter was previously written in the 1960s.
- Van Buren County Road Millage Renewal
Voters in Van Buren County will weigh in on whether to renew a longstanding millage that funds county roads.
The ballot proposal asks residents whether to continue a 0.9769 mil-tax to fund road maintenance and repair projects.
County officials say the measure would raise $3.3 million during its first year.
First passed in 1978, the renewal proposal was introduced after voters turned down a new 10-year millage in 2018.
- Schoolcraft Schools Bond Proposal
Residents living within the Schoolcraft Community Schools District are being asked to approve a new set of bonds that would raise nearly $40 million for a new elementary school and upgrades to facilities.
Voters previously rejected the same bond request proposal during the November 2019 general election.
If approved the district would levy a 3-mil property tax on top of the existing 4-mil rate. The potential new 7-mil property tax would cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $150 annually and raise an estimated $39.9 million.
The district says they plan to use the funding to build a new elementary school and add-on to the district’s high school to accommodate middle school students. Additional funding will also pay for security improvements and repairs to athletic facilities.
The Schoolcraft Board of Education voted after the November to bring the issue back to voters. District officials say a new breakdown of how funding will be spent can be found at their website.
