Title
Resolution to Order Election, Determine Ballot Question for Charter Amendment for Approval of Park Maintenance and Capital Improvement Millage (CIP) for 2013 through 2018 and Reaffirm the Parks Maintenance and CIM Administrative Millage Policy (7 Votes Required)
Memorandum
Approval of this resolution will place a ballot question asking for renewal of the expiring park maintenance and capital improvements millage on the November 6, 2012 ballot, and reaffirm City Council's administrative millage policy.
With the expiration of the park maintenance and capital improvements 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. A presentation was given to City Council at a work session in March. The Park Advisory Commission (PAC) sought public input on the millage renewal during several community forums in April and May. PAC unanimously passed a resolution at their June 19th meeting recommending that City Council place a renewal of the millage on the November ballot and reaffirm the administrative millage policies to inform voters of the manner in which millage revenue will be utilized.
This millage renewal proposes 1.10 mills and estimates a total revenue in the first year of the new millage, if approved, of $5,052,000. Subsequent annual revenue will be adjusted based on the Headlee rollback and property value adjustments. The estimated annual cost to a homeowner based on a mean taxable value of $107,000 is expected to be $117.70 for FY2014. The current cost to a homeowner based on a mean taxable value of $107,000 for the expiring millage for FY2013 is $117.37.
This millage renewal will be for six-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, park operations, recreation facilities, and targets of opportunity. Capital improvement projects will include active parks; forestry and horticulture; historic preservation; neighborhood parks and urban plazas; park operations; pathways, trails, boardwalks, greenways and watersheds; recreation facilities; and targets of opportunities. These allocations and uses are the same that are in place for the expiring millage and have worked well in allowing for proper care of the parks.
City Council passed a Resolution of Intent on the Administration of the Park Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage in 2006 and amended it twice over the life of the existing 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: Colin Smith, Parks and Recreation Services Manager and Mary Joan Fales, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Reviewed by: Sumedh Bahl, Community Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Steven D. Powers, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The Parks Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage is the principal funding sources 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 2006 for six years;
Whereas, The Park Maintenance and Capital Improvements millage will expire in 2012;
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 June 1, 2012 meeting unanimously supported presentation of a new millage to the voters;
RESOLVED, That City Council amend Section 8.19 of the City Charter 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 2007 through 2012 2013 through 2018 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 6, 2012 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 MAINTENACE AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
Shall the Charter be amended to authorize a tax up to 1.10 mills for park maintenance and capital improvements for 2013 through 2018 to replace the previously authorized tax for park maintenance and capital improvements for 2007 through 2012, which will raise in the first year of the levy the estimated total revenue of $5,052,000?
Yes No
RESOLVED, That the proposed Charter amendment and proposed ballot questions shall be published in full not fewer than two time 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, 2013; 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.