Livingston County Millage votes this Tuesday

While most of the hype is for Brighton, there's actually three millage related elections up this Tuesday - May 8th.

Fowlerville Schools has a Renewal question for non homestead property. This affects businesses, 2nd homes, and rental properties.

Hartland Schools also has a Renewal question

Brighton Schools is the big one. 88 Million Dollars

I wish these measures were up for a vote in August or November, instead of costing tax money by having it in May with a lower turnout and one more favorable to someone who has a vested interest in this passing.

I have mixed views about the Brighton millage.  I think, as John Conely said, a sinking fund would have been a better route, as well as a lesser amount. I also don't like the timing. I will give some credit that as far as I could tell, I didn't see any campaign finance violations for once, unlike the MEA's elections. I did find it interesting though that a lot of donors were construction firms. Someone wants a contract.


Some of the things I think are needed. I do see the need for the football field (although if the plan is artificial turf I am 100% against astroturf like Jackson's field for injury reasons). Football brings in money, through sponsors, ticket sales, and even brings in students. We've gotten 8,000+ at games. Computers I can see as well. The computers when I was there were dinosaurs. Pre 286 era back when most computers were 486 and Pentiums were coming out. It's leveled off some and I don't know what's there now, but I can see the argument there. A revamp for the performing arts center? Arguable. That could bring in money, and we certainly see the advertisements for their events. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.

But a new pool? Some of the other things? Are they needs, or are they wants? If they are wants, can it pay for itself through attracting students to the school, ticket sales, third party contracts, sponsorships, or other measures?

And the amount. 88 Million, plus interest over 30 years, while our taxpayers are still paying off old bonds, in a bad economy. To put it bluntly, that's a shitload of money, unless you're the government. The other question is this. Will the new stuff be maintained properly, or will it go to hell so there can be a new bond issue 10 years from now because new stuff is needed? While the school system has been better than it was with fiscal measures, there's still a lot of work to do. There's not a lot of confidence there and still some holdovers from the Joyce Powers/Joe Carney era. That's not to mention the uncertainty of the future school boards and administrations.

I'd like to see this defeated because of the amount, with a more reasonable amount asked for later (preferably August/November), or a sinking fund as an alternative. This isn't the 80's or late 90's economy. Michigan has been in a 10+ year period of recession or slow "recovery."