Title
Resolution to Order Election, Determine Ballot Question for Charter Amendment for Approval of the Park Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage for 2025 through 2044, and Reaffirm the Park Maintenance and Capital Improvements Administrative Millage Policy (7 Votes Required)
Memorandum
Approval of this resolution will place a ballot question asking for the renewal of the expiring park maintenance and capital improvements millage on the November 5, 2024 ballot and reaffirm City Council’s administrative millage policy.
With the expiration of the millage approaching, a work group consisting of Park Advisory Commission and City staff members evaluated the existing millage and related funding guidelines and Administrative Policy set by City Council. The Park Advisory Commission recommended a millage renewal and reaffirmation of the administrative millage policy at their May 21, 2024 regular meeting.
Staff is recommending the Park Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage for renewal. This millage renewal proposes 1.10 mills and estimates a total revenue in the first year of the new millage, if approved, to be $8,519,150.00. Subsequent annual revenue will be adjusted based on the Headlee rollback and property value adjustments. The annual cost to a homeowner based on an average taxable value of $176,933.00 is expected to be $195.00 for FY2026. The current cost to a homeowner based on an average taxable value of $176,933.00 for the expiring millage for FY2025 is $190.00.
This millage renewal will be for twenty years with the following annual fund allocation: 70% park maintenance activities, 30% park capital improvement projects, and up to a 10% variable shift between the two annually. Park maintenance activities that are funded from this millage renewal will include forestry and horticulture, natural area preservation, volunteerism, park operations, recreation facilities, and targets of opportunity. Capital improvement projects will include active parks, neighborhood parks, recreation facilities and urban plazas; pathways, trails, boardwalks, greenways and watersheds; historic preservation; and targets of opportunities.
City Council passed a Resolution of Intent on the Administration of the Park Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage in 2006 and amended it three times over the life of the millage. PAC recommends that this administrative policy be reaffirmed prior to the millage renewal being placed on the November ballot so as to inform voters of the manner in which administration of the millage will be managed.
Staff
Prepared by: Josh Landefeld, Parks and Recreation Manager
Reviewed by: Derek Delacourt, Community Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The Park Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage is the principal funding source for the City’s park and recreation capital improvement programs and park repair and restoration programs;
Whereas, The Park Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage was approved by the voters in 2018 for six years;
Whereas, The Park Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage will expire in 2024;
Whereas, It is in the City’s best interest to present a new millage to the voters which supports the objectives of the expiring millage and provides essential resources for the ongoing maintenance and improvement of the parks system; and
Whereas, The Parks Advisory Commission, at its May 21, 2024 meeting unanimously supported presentation of a new millage to the voters;
RESOLVED, That City Council amend Section 8.19 of the City Charter to read as follows:
Funds for Park Maintenance and Capital Improvements:
Section 8.19. In addition to any other amount which the City is authorized to raise by general tax upon the real and person property by this Charter or any other provision of law, the City shall, in 2025 through 2044 annually levy a tax of 1.10 mills on all taxable real and personal property situated within the City for the purpose of financing park maintenance activities in the following categories: forestry and horticulture, natural area preservation, park operations, park equipment repairs, park security, and recreation facilities; and for the purpose of financing park capital improvement projects for active parks, forestry and horticulture, historic preservation, neighborhood parks and urban plazas, pathways, trails, boardwalks, greenways, the Huron River watershed, recreation facilities and park equipment acquisitions.
RESOLVED, That November 5, 2024 is designated as the day for holding an election on the proposed Charter amendment;
RESOLVED, That the Clerk shall transmit a copy of the proposed amendment to the Attorney General and the Governor of Michigan and shall perform all other acts required by law for holding the election;
RESOLVED, That the proposed Charter amendment shall appear on the ballot in the following form:
ANN ARBOR CITY CHARTER AMENDMENT
AUTHORIZING TAX FOR PARK MAINTENANCE AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
Shall the Charter be amended to authorize a tax up to 1.10 mills for park maintenance and capital improvements for 2025 through 2044 to replace the previously authorized tax for park maintenance and capital improvements for 2019 through 2024, which will raise in the first year of the levy an estimated revenue of $8,519,150? In accordance with State law, a portion of the millage may be subject to capture by the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority and the Washtenaw County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.
Ž Yes Ž No
RESOLVED, That the proposed Charter amendment and proposed ballot question shall be published in full not fewer than twice in the Washtenaw Legal News and posted to the City's website;
RESOLVED, That if the amendment is adopted, it shall take effect on January 1, 2025; and
RESOLVED, That City Council reaffirms its intent to administer the Park Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage as amended and approved by Resolution R-11-186 on May 16, 2011.