Talk of Troy – Michigan

For Immediate Release !  The Troy Leadership Coalition in conjunction with the youth-created ‘Vote Yes on Troy Millage Proposal’ Facebook page is pleased to announce a Keep Troy Safe rally at the Troy Sports Center 1819 East Big Beaver (corner of John R & Big Beaver) 7PM Feb 9, 2010.

Meet the youths that created the most active blog on the Troy Millage issue. Come find out what you can do to help get the millage passed so we can Keep Troy Safe and Save the Troy Library, Community Center, Museum and Nature Center.

The public is welcome and there is no admission charge. For more information email info@TroyLeadershipCoalition.org . or call William Cowger at 248-828-0666

By charter, we have a city manager form of government. The concept is that you hire experts not politicians to implement the vision of the elected officials (City Council).  The previous council hired the current City Manager just 9 months ago.  In that time, he is one of the few that have gone public with the dire situation described by Brooks Patterson as the ‘worst situation since the great depresion and for local government mangement the most challenging in their lifetime’.  West Bloomfield is raising 1.3 mils from 11.2, Sterling Heights will raise their millage without needing voter approval.  Grand Rapids just laid off 125 this month. Within 5 years, the city will need to re-invent itself with totally out of the box funding and service delivery systems because long term even the 1.9 mils can not sustain the business as usual.  Hypothetically don’t be surprised to see the Troy/AT&T library and other forms of public / private partnerships.  If progress is not made quickly, then we need to pressure council to change leadership, and if that does not work then we need to vote out the appropriate elected officials.  That is how it has worked to get us to being the best value (services for tax rate) in southeast Michigan.

The assessments for residential properties will reduce taxable values by an average of 15% and assessed values by an average of 12% and for commercial property assessed values will be reduced by 17% this next year.  That means that everyone will pay less total real estate tax next year.  The total millage for all entities in Troy is 34.5881.  The 1.9 mil increase for Troy represents a 5.5% increase to the total milage rate (not 29%).  In fact, the  TAX CUT on average  for Troy residents will be 8.6% even with the 1.9mil increase for the Troy piece because of the reduction in taxable value.

Did you know that Troy has the lowest tax rate of any city in southeastern Michigan and yet is the safest city in the state, voted the best place to live by CNN and provides the highest level of citizen satisfaction for services. That tells me that we have had great management compared to our neighbors. How much less safe, …less livable, or fewer services would you like? Even with the 1.9 mil increase we will have the 4th/5th lowest tax rate.

18 months ago: No one predicted that property values (the primary revenue source for cities) would drop so far or so quickly;  No one predicted that GM & Chrysler would declare bankruptcy; No one predicted the bank/capital crisis.

The Deputy Oakland County Executive (Robert Daddow) this month (12/2009) stated that Oakland County forecasts commercial real estate values and as a result taxable revenue from commercial properties for cities like Troy will decline up to 50% within 3 years.  Oakland County projections have been within fractions of a percent in each of the last three years.

Thursday December 17, 2009
7PM at CMNTV Studios
1230 Souter Blvd, Troy 48083

Open forum on the proposed millage increase on February 23, 2010

Featuring open questioning of City Manager John Szerlag

Sponsored by the Troy Leadership Coalition