WDIV Ch. 4 Covers Our Vote NO Tea Party Rally Today

Property Tax Battle Brewing In Troy
Millage Put To Vote Tuesday

POSTED: Monday, February 22, 2010
UPDATED: 8:13 pm EST February 22, 2010

TROY, Mich. -- A property tax battle is brewing in Oakland County's Troy community.

Watch: Troy Wants To Hike Property Taxes

City leaders want to hike property taxes to maintain services, but some residents are voicing opinions against it.

Members organizing a tea party against the tax hike, which would come in the form of a millage, asked supporters to join them Monday evening in making phone calls to more than 400 residents.

"We want to keep police, fire, trash, all essential services at the highest standards but cut out the extras that are not necessary," said Glenn Clark, who is with the tea party group. "There is already money in the budget to work through this tough economic time without raising taxes."

The group is telling residents to vote no Tuesday on the millage proposal, which is part of a special election.

The tea party members said the hike would raise taxes by 29 percent.

But city leaders said the increase would be about 20 percent, and that tax bills would go down about $300 for an average homeowner because of declining property values.

The increase would last for about five years before expiring.

The city said it is projecting an upcoming budget shortfall of about $30 million.

Residents against the raise said the city needs to make cuts within its own budget before reaching out into the community.

The city said it's already made significant cuts.

"We've looked at every department to see if its more cost effective to privatize, consolidate, regionalize or eliminate," said Troy City Manager John Szerlag. "Even if the millage passes, we're going to proceed with those studies."

Polls for election will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/22638804/detail.html