Washtenaw County voters approve renewal of natural areas millage to fund land preservation program
School children explore the Fox Science Preserve in Scio Township off Peters Road near Miller Road.
Photo courtesy of the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission
Voters in Washtenaw County renewed the natural areas millage for another 10 years, which will preserve land and save it from future development.
With 83 percent of precincts reporting shortly before 3 a.m., the proposal passed with 55,401 yes votes, or 57.05 percent, to 41,710 no votes, or 42.95 percent.
Over the past 10 years, taxpayers in Washtenaw County have purchased 1,850 acres of land for $19 million under the millage.
The millage was set to expire after Dec. 1. It will cost the owner of a home with a taxable value of $100,000 an additional $24.09 annually in property taxes.
The new levy will begin Dec. 1, 2011, and is expected to generate revenue of nearly $3.5 million in its first year.
Comments
JSA
Thu, Nov 4, 2010 : 10:53 a.m.
@Rod Johnson, Thanks for the link. It is fairly obvious in reviewing the results how little support there was outside of Ann Arbor and close surrounding areas. That's what I love but Ann Arbor, always willing to tax people for things they don't want. Is it possible for areas like the Washtenaw portion of the City of Milan to leave and join Monroe County? I see Ann Arbor trying to shaft the rest of us in a not too distant future on a transportation millage that does not benefit anyone but Ann Arbor.
snapshot
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 6:34 p.m.
Didn't have time to read all the comments but I am appalled at the price these guys are paying for the properties they're buying with taxpayer dollars. You can't give property away these days and Ann Arbor is paying top dollar (2005 prices). It's a crime! An for you folks who think in terms of "it's only 25.00 per 100,000" you obviously have way too much money in your budget because all those 25.00 add up to about 5,000 dollars per year. 544 properties were foreclosed upon for "unpaid taxes" not unpaid morgtages. That's people who "own" their home but can't afford to pay the taxes. That would be the "many" 25.00 dollars that you folks think is nothing. What is wrong with you "greenbelt" advocates? How many folks have to lose their homes to make you happy? And for you "how much is a case of beer" folks, there's folks who worry about buying food, not beer. Why would you think 544 families would opt to lose their house rather than pay the property taxes? Because they want to buy 5,000 dollars worth of beer? We need to start taxing all those lucrative "tax free pensions" you greenbelt advocates are getting and then you may start voting responsibly.
John Q
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 3 p.m.
"With the concept of essential and non essential services, this is not an essential service. Law enforcement is." If law enforcement was an essential service, Township residents would step up and pay for it, as the voters in all of the County's cities have done paying for their own police departments. Quit looking to the county and by extension city taxpayers to pay for services you won't pay for yourself.
Mick52
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 1:59 p.m.
I agree with the folks who disagree with this. I find it odd that the county asks for money for this when so many townships are having trouble with funding deputies. I have always thought it suspicious that in addition to your county taxes we have to pay more for deputies. Law enforcement should be covered in the basic taxes. And not this. Extra money to buy development rights on land that likely won't be developed anyway, and if it were developed, that might help the economy. I'm not seeing much urban sprawl going on these days. With the concept of essential and non essential services, this is not an essential service. Law enforcement is.
Rod Johnson
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 11:42 a.m.
JSA, the precinct totals are here if you're willing to wade through them: http://electionresults.ewashtenaw.org/nov2010/indexprecinctreport.html
JSA
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 11:30 a.m.
Is there any way to see how the vote breaks down by district?
rsa221
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 10:22 a.m.
Wonderful!!! I'd also like to thank annarbor.com for endorsing the millage. Preservation of natural areas is one of many reasons this area is unique in our region, and played a major roll in my decision to move back (and thus pay local taxes).
Rork Kuick
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 9:35 a.m.
"The government" doesn't deserve blame or praise for passing this. The people sometimes do manage their affairs rather directly. Usually poorly, yes, but sometimes not.
Topher
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 9:13 a.m.
Yes! So glad to see this. This is local government at work. Finally something forward looking - keeping land in public domain is important so that the land doesn't get privatized and made usable for only a select (and often wealthy) few. There is some private enterprise that has done good things in terms of greening (see Barton Hills) but it requires a consicence and a larger vision, which sometimes is not evident when making money is a goal. I agree with LRP - let's save the land near the river!
foobar417
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 8:54 a.m.
@arboriginal: As noted in the original article (linked to from this one): "Under the ordinance, 93 percent of the cash generated must be used for land acquisition. The remainder is used to maintain the properties, such as for the development of trails, the removal of invasive species like buckthorn and prescribed burns, said Bob Tetens, director of parks and recreation. The money also supports part of the salary of a full-time maintenance worker, two seasonal maintenance employees and a part-time naturalist. In 2009, volunteers donated about 1,000 hours to help maintain the properties, said Tom Freeman, the assistant director for parks and recreation. Freeman is in charge of administering the program. The county program has teamed up with other land conservation groups over the years on both purchases and legal arrangements that ensure the land will remain undeveloped, Freeman said."
TheEnlightenedMaster
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 8:51 a.m.
Typical of other people wanting to tell you how to spend your money. I dont care if its a dime. The government already controls too much land. The University of Michigan control too much of the tax base in Ann Arbor and you want to take more land out of the free market. What resources do you have to take care of this land? We cant even take care of our park resources in Ann Arbor properly becuase of limited budget. But lets acquire more land and put it to a better use. Says who? Let government do what it is supposed to do and let this other stuff go. If you want this type of investment then get together with your friends and buy the land and preserve it for your future not mine.
LRP
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 8:51 a.m.
Great-I voted in favor. Now protect the most important inner core parkland first! Like Huron Hills Golf Course!!!!
Bablat
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 8:50 a.m.
The citizens of Ann Arbor have yet to see a Tax they didn't like....
Arboriginal
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 8:47 a.m.
Are they purchasing the land or are they purchasing right of first refusal? BIG difference! Will our anointed give up their right to sell parkland without voter approval? Driving up the cost of vacant land sure helps the socioeconomic wall we are constructing. How about a physical wall to match?
Ignatz
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 8:24 a.m.
While I like the idea of setting aside land, I voted against this. I thought we could use our limited resources for more important infrastructure project.
James D'Amour
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 8:13 a.m.
Two years ago, the Democrats seize control of the White House and win overwhelming victories in Congress... Two years later, the Republicans win back the governorship and take majorities in Michigan...Two years who knows. Political changes come and go over time and generations. But this millage leaves a legacy for generations to come. My belated note of thanks to Tony Dearing and AnnArbor.com editorial board for their endorsement of this millage.
jcj
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 8:09 a.m.
Kind of like some townships & villages wanting the rest of the county to pay for their police protection! "It will cost the owner of a home with a taxable value of $100,000 an additional $24.09 annually in property taxes." How much is a case of beer? How much is a carton of cigarettes?
JSA
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 7:58 a.m.
Most likely this is the voters of Ann Arbor soaking the rest of the residents of Washtenaw County for something they want.
jcj
Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 7:52 a.m.
It would appear that voters are willing to pass a millage WHEN they can see what they are getting.