Posted By: Okemos Dad
Oh, to have a newspaper that doesn't put the interests of government first and taxpayers last. Here is some editorial commentary from the Detroit News on Friday, May 4, 2007 on familiar-sounding bond proposals in Oakland County.
Scrutinize Oakland County tax requestsTax increases must pass high threshold in tough economy
Oakland County municipalities and school districts deserve skepticism on most tax requests and should clear a high threshold of fiscal necessity before cash-strapped taxpayers reward them with more revenue on May 8. . . .
- Novi Community School District: The district wants a 20-year, $26.4 million bond issue to remodel buildings, make technology improvements and install elaborate security systems. The district argues that the 0.49-mill tax increase would still result in a lower overall debt tax level because of savings from refinancing other bonds. This is too extravagant for our tastes. Keep an even lower debt tax level and attract jobs. Vote no.
- Oak Park School District: The district wants to renew and increase an expired sinking fund millage. The 10-year millage would be raised 0.12-mill to 3 mills to construct or repair buildings, buy buses, furnishings and instructional technology. We sympathize with the need to invest in aging buildings, but working- and middle-class citizens are feeling the pain of Michigan's downturn. Oak Park needs to save money in other areas to put money into buses or repairs. Vote no.