Oakland voters to join Wayne, Macomb in voting on 1-mill SMART tax proposal
After contentious debate, Oakland County’s elected commissioners have joined with Macomb and Wayne county commissioners in putting a 1-mill tax proposal on August primary ballots.
The approvals mean that voters across much of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties will decide Aug. 5 whether to accept a higher tax rate to support the region’s suburban bus system. The 1-mill proposal is a higher rate from the current 0.59 millage rate, which SMART officials said is no longer enough to operate their buses following the decline in property values.
In Oakland County, Wednesday’s 13-6 vote split the heavily Republican majority on the Board of Commissioners. The effort to win over Oakland board’s 14 Republicans and seven Democrats was viewed crucial to SMART’s future.
full: http://www.freep.com/article/20140501/NEWS05/305010198/buses-SMART-tax-increase-mass-transit