DEARBORN — On Nov. 8 of this year, Dearborn voters will take part in an election that could have a huge impact on how the city operates going forward, with a vote on the city’s operating millage taking center stage. 

In addition, votes on a library millage and the possible elimination of the city’s civil service system are also among the important choices residents will make on the ballot.

For the city operating millage vote, voters will be asked whether or not to approve a measure that will amend the Dearborn City Charter to temporarily allow the city to levy a 3.5 mill tax increase in its first year, for no more than five years. 

According to James O’ Connor, Dearborn’s Director of Finance, the change would mean a property owner would pay about $50.00 per year extra per $50,0000 worth of State Equalized Value on their home and/or other property due to the increase, which translates to $175.00 extra for someone in that bracket with many others paying greater amounts. 

At a League of Women Voters forum earlier this month, Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly said that the increases were deemed necessary considering the $20 million budget deficit the city faces.

“We’ve done a lot of work on this, the task force met for nine months to discuss it, we need to be strategic (in these times),” he said.

O’Reilly said that the average value of a home in the city has gone down about 25 percent including in its taxable value, since 2008 necessitating the move. 

“To operate going forward successfully and to grow we need to do something about revenue enhancement,” he said. O’Reilly also said that in 1984 the city faced a similar situation and was able to bounce back after a five-year temporary millage passed. 

Proponents of the millage within the city have said that it the measure will help reduce cutbacks to city services and recreation while helping provide a much-needed revenue infusion.

Those opposed to it say that with homeowners struggling to make payments and to stay afloat economically in these difficult times, now is the wrong time to increase taxes, which could discourage growth as well. The Arab American Political Action Committee has already come out opposed to the millage, saying that the economic burden could be too much for many families to bear.

The operating millage had unanimous support for the City Council according to members David W. Bazzy and Suzanne Sareini as well, however. 

“If it doesn’t pass, the first thing we have to do is sit down and talk about programs we’re going to cut,” Bazzy said. 

“I don’t speak for everyone else on the council, I speak for myself, but the millage is necessary in the short term to bridge some gaps as we try to fundamentally restructure in the city and to try to maintain some level of the types of services that the consumers and citizens are used to having.” 

Sareini said she has always been anti-tax but had no choice but to support the millage.

“If I did not believe we were in jeopardy of losing critical services for the cities, I would not have agreed to it…But this does have a sunset cap to it which is the reason I agreed to endorse it.” 

Library millage debated 

Another proposal in Dearborn aimed at supporting library services in the city and the modernization of their facilities is also scheduled to be voted upon. The measure would allow the city to levy an additional ad valorem tax in an amount not to exceed 1 mill; it would run for no more than 10 years. 

Those in favor say that library services need to be preserved and technology upgrades are important in keeping them relevant into the future. But opponents believe that the millage won’t be enough to prevent more branch closings, including Esper Library on the east side, as well as more cuts. 

“One mill doesn’t fully fund libraries but it does put us in a position where it’s not having to compete as much for other dollars,” O’Reilly said at the forum. “Each department has a different role but some departments like recreation raise more than half of their revenues through fees and services (unlike libraries).” 

O’Reilly also seemed non-committal when asked if the millage would prevent library closings and service reductions.            

Civil service system to be eliminated? 

The final potential Dearborn City Charter change to be voted on is a possible elimination of the Civil Service System, a body oversees issues of hiring, promotion and firing. 

Most cities in Michigan have scrapped their own systems, and the city is arguing that it is not necessary because of the eight different labor unions that represent city employees in negotiating contracts covering wages, work rules and benefits.  

Bazzy said that the “entity no longer serves a valid purpose” because of the unions, a position echoed by O’Reilly. Proponents say it will make decisions easier and prevent overlapping in negotiations. 

Those opposing the measure say that keeping the system will keep the hiring process and promotions more merit-based by allowing those best-qualified to take precedence in such decisions. 

The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 8 in the city. For more information on the elections, visit www.cityofdearborn.org.