Kalamazoo City Commissioners Support Failed Transit Millage

The Kalamazoo City Commissioners officially voiced their support for a proposal that would have instituted a transit millage countywide on Monday, Nov. 3.

The millage proposal, which was rejected by 58 percent of voters Tuesday, proposed a graduated increase of the public transit tax rate which officials say could have increased from 0.63 of 1 mill in 2008 to 0.86 by 2011.

While proponents of the measure said the proposed tax rate would have been a decrease from the 1.38 mills Kalamazoo city property owners currently pay, opponents argued that the rates for those who live elsewhere in the county would have increased from the current 0.38 mill currently assessed.

"These are tough economic times, but this is a tremendous investment," Commissioner Don Cooney said of the measure. "It is something that is so important, and I hope people will support it."

Cooney, a Democrat, was running for the 6^th Congressional District position in Tuesday's election against long-time incumbent U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, a Republican. Upton won his 12^th consecutive election to the position, carrying 59 percent of the vote to Cooney's 39 percent.

Commissioner Sean McCann said the buses that the transit millage would have helped support are a critical public infrastructure.

"It's what we need to have our city work, particularly to have our economy grow," McCann said.

City Mayor Bobby Hopewell said the passage of the transit millage by voters was vitally important to the success of the community.

The motion to support the transit millage was made by Commissioner David Anderson and supported by Commissioner Stephanie Moore. The motion was carried unanimously.

The City Commission Nov. 3 also approved a resolution amending the current City Commission Freedom of Information Act appeals process, giving the mayor final say over which records can be released to the public. Formerly, the process required the entire City Commission to hear a request before it could be granted.