Concerned Taxpayers Group and Livingston Taxpayers Association featured in Argus

From the Argus

It would take an act of God before David Hamilton could support a tax increase.
Hamilton's Livingston County Taxpayers Associa-tion has been tracking millage increases since 1990, and he said the only reason a local government would legitimately need higher taxes is a natural disaster.

"The only time a tax increase needs to be in order is an act of God ... a devastating tornado or hurricane," he said.

William Johnston and his Concerned Taxpayers of Livingston County have a very similar outlook. "I do see a crisis coming in an excess of government spending," he said.
The two groups have plenty of fodder in the August primary. There are four millage or fee increases up for a vote in various parts of the county, and either Hamilton, Johnston or both have weighed in against all of them.

While Hamilton's group has a long history and Johnston's is relatively new, both gained higher profiles when county schools sought a 3-mill increase in property taxes last year. The measure was overwhelmingly defeated, and both men took some of the credit.

It's good to see both of our county's fiscally conservative organizations active, since with all of the tax measures planned and attempted the last couple of years and in this economy, we need some organized opposition.

Also from the Argus - A listing of tax or fee increases on the August 8 ballot.

Livingston County: $1 per month per phone increase in fee for 911/emergency dispatch, from $3 to $4.


Hamburg Township: $3.5 million bond for a new fire station, estimated millage of 0.3243 mills in 2006 and average millage of 0.3982 mills over the 10 year life of the bond. One mill is equal to $1 per $1,000 of a property's taxable value.


Brighton Area Fire Authority: Increase in millage from 0.95 mills to 1.25 mills.


Howell Area Parks and Recreation Authority: New 1-mill levy for operating, maintaining and improving the parks system, and acquiring new parkland.

Millage renewals

Cohoctah Township: 1.44 mills for road improvements


Green Oak Township: 1.45 mills for fire protection, and 1.54 mils for police protection.


Hartland Township: 1.88 mills for Hartland Deerfield Fire Authority.


Howell Township: 0.95 mills for road improvement and maintenance.