Title
Resolution to Order Election and to Determine Ballot Question for Charter Amendment for the 2027 New Sidewalk Construction Millage (7 Votes Required, Roll Call Vote)
Memorandum
In 2011 the City Council approved a resolution in support of the Complete Streets philosophy for a safe and balanced transportation system that would accommodate all modes of traffic. The filling of sidewalk gaps is a community goal that is consistent with this and other policy documents, including the Vision Zero Transportation Plan.
In 2020, voters in Ann Arbor approved the collection of up to 0.20 mills annually, the purpose of which was to fill gaps in the City's sidewalk network. This millage raised approximately $1.4 million of revenue annually. Prior to this millage, on City-initiated sidewalk gap filling projects (as opposed to those being constructed by private development projects), benefitting property owners were specially assessed for the new sidewalks in accordance with Chapters 12 and 13 of City Code.
From 2021 through 2025, the City used revenue from this millage to construct approximately 6.8 miles of new sidewalks, with an additional 1.85 miles anticipated for construction in 2026. Some of these funds were used to leverage grants and other outside sources to make that revenue go further.
The attached resolution includes the proposed ballot language for the New Sidewalk Millage, for the years 2027 through 2032. This millage, if approved, will be used only for constructing sidewalks adjacent to properties that are on the City's tax roll, which excludes schools, churches, and those owned by the University of Michigan.
Under the previous millage, sidewalks adjacent to City-owned parcels were not eligible to use millage funds. However, we are proposing language in the 2027 millage use resolution that would change this. Since finding alternative funding sources for constructing sidewalks at these locations has proven challenging, this change would remove a barrie...
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