Wixom town hall will address Nov. 6 proposed tax hike

The city of Wixom will be holding a second town hall meeting on Monday, Oct. 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Community Center to present information to voters relating to the city’s millage proposal on the Tuesday, Nov. 6 general election ballot.

Voters will asked if the city charter should be amended to permit a levy beginning next July of a new dedicated millage of 3.5 mills (which is equal to $3.50 on each $1,000 of taxable property value) for four years to pay for operating costs for services such as police and fire, public works and parks and recreation.

The millage would generate over $2.2 million per year, or $8.85 million over its four-year lifespan.

“The town hall meeting is to increase voter participation and awareness about the proposal on the ballot,” said City Manager Mike Dornan. “The Nov. 6 ballot is packed with state proposals, but this is really important for the city to make people aware that we have a ballot question which is on the back and at the end of the ballot.”

The city is facing an estimated deficit of over $1.7 million in 2013; $2.1 million in 2014; $2.5 million in 2015; and $2.6 million in 2016, for a total estimated deficit over four years of just shy of $9 million.

The city has consolidated and privatized numerous city services saving over $700,000 since 2001, and has cut staffing from 65 employees a decade ago to 49 today.

More potential cuts amount to $1.7 million. If the millage fails to pass, it may be necessary to privatize or close the Community Center and parks and recreation, eliminate senior services and non-emergency overtime for events, park cleanup, leaf collection and snow/ice control.

The Community Center is located at 49015 Pontiac Trail.