Township holds hearing to OK slight tax rate hike

The township's proposed millage rate for 2011 will be slightly above the rate levied last year, according to township officials. The Grand Haven Township Board held a public truth-in-taxation hearing Monday - a requirement under state law in which a taxing unit may not generate more revenue than it did in the prior year, unless it holds such a hearing.

Kyle Moroney

Sep 27, 2011

The proposed 0.9514-mill increase relates to the increase in the township’s 0.95-mill voter-approved transportation millage and the 1.5-mills voter-approved fire/rescue millage renewal, according to Township Finance Director Denise Chalifoux.

“(Without the hearing) you can’t levy more than you levied last year in taxes — even if you have voter-approved millages,” Chalifoux told board members on Monday.

Due to the recent voter-approved millages, the owner of a $100,000 home with a $50,850 taxable value will likely see a $48.64 increase on their property tax bill.

“They’re going to pay $48 more in township taxes — but with these added services,” Chalifoux said. “If the voters hadn’t approved the millages for additional services, it would only have been $2.72.”