KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Kalamazoo County voters are approving a millage rate increase to help fund the local bus system.
During Tuesday’s election 20,216 voters said yes to the Central County Transportation Authority millage, while 7,207 said no. This does not count the many absentee ballots reported throughout the county.
This proposal will replace the current 0.75-mill rate with the new 0.9-mill millage tax for the next five years beginning in 2021. The money generated will help maintain and upgrade the transit authority’s fixed-route bus system.
Chair of the Central County Transportation Authority Greg Rosine released a statement Tuesday night praising the passage.
“We’re very grateful for the all the support given by voters. Metro provided 2.6 million rides last year. It speaks loads of the people in our community who understand the value of personal mobility in the greater Kalamazoo area. The passage of this millage will ensure that busses will continue to run and our neighbors will be able to use public transportation to get to work, class, and medical appointments.”
According to “Citizens for Community Transportation,” 70% of Metro riders use the bus more than five days a week and 88% of riders do not have access to a vehicle, making it a vital part of the community.
The transit authority says the millage will 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.
County residents previously renewed the .75 millage back in 2015.
More information on the millage increase can be found here.
