Three Elections on August 6th 2013 in Livingston County

We have three elections coming up on August 6^th.  Don Parker, our County Commissioner in the 5^th District is facing a special election. Don is a solid conservative who has done a good job for us in both of his stints as county commissioner. One of the reasons our county always has a balanced budget and low taxes is due to Don Parker and the rest of our commissioners. He’s done good work and deserves to be retained. Since this is a low turnout special election, the rules have changed and we can not take this race for granted. If you are in Howell, Howell Township, or Cohoctah Township, we need your vote.

Livingston County did not become a great place to live by accident. It was due to voters making good choices in county leadership. In order for Livingston County to continue to be a great place to live and not follow some of the other changing communities in neighboring counties, we need to continue to elect good leadership, as we have in Don Parker.

In addition to the County Commissioner race, there are two millage/bond measures on the ballot. Those in the Howell Carnegie Library district will vote on a millage election. Those in the Whitmore Lake School District are voting on a bond issue. 

Language on the ballot:

Howell Carnegie Library:

Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be imposed on taxable property within the Howell District Library District be increased in an amount not to exceed 4/10 of 1 mill ($0.40 on each $1,000 of taxable value) for a period of 20 years, beginning in the year 2013 and ending in the year 2032, inclusive, as new additional millage for the purpose of providing funds for Library purposes? It is estimated that 4/10 of 1 mill would raise approximately $820,000 when first levied in 2013.

Whitmore Lake School District:

Shall Whitmore Lake Public School District, Washtenaw and Livingston Counties, Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed $12,300,000 and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor in one or more series, for the purpose of :

Partially remodeling, furnishing and refurnishing, equipping, and reequipping school facilities, acquiring, installing and equipping technology for school facilities; purchasing school buses; constructing, equipping and developing and improving athletic facilities and play fields; and developing and improving sites?

The following is for informational purposes only:

The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2013, under current law, is 2.50 mills ($2.50 on each $1000 of taxable valuation). The maximum number of years the bonds may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is 20 years. The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 2.17 mills.

(Pursuant to State Law, expenditure of bond proposals must be audited, and the proceeds cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs, teacher, administration, or employee salaries, or other operating expenses.)