Special Election February 23, 2010

Informational Brochure, Frequently Asked Questions and Background Information

Property Tax Estimator
Election Results (after 8pm on February 23)
Informational Brochure

Community Meeting Schedule

Frequently Asked Questions of City Management

• Is it true that although the City millage rate may increase by up to 1.90 mills, my overall 2010 tax bill will still decrease compared to 2009?
• I keep hearing that my City taxes on my home will increase 29% with the passage of the proposal. Can that be true?
• I keep hearing that my City taxes on my business will increase 29% with the passage of the proposal. Can that be true?
• How many City Boards, Commissions or Committees have come out in opposition to the millage proposal?
• Is Troy alone in its financial difficulties?
• Will 1.9 mills over 5 years generate $45 million and will it result in a surplus? Will expenditures over revenues without the 1.9 mill increase generate $22 million? Where is the excess money? Does the full 1.9 mills need to be levied?
• Why the need for a special election in February 2010, which will cost $75,000? That could save one job.
• Would 10% wage cuts solve the deficit?
• Why not delay capital projects, use fund balance, put the money in general operations and wait until things improve? Why not provide the same service with less people?
• Why all of a sudden do we need to make these difficult decisions?
• Why didn't December's tax bill show a reduction in Taxable Value?
• What has the City done over the past several years to cut costs?
• Will the City really need to close the Library, the Museum, the Nature Center and the Community Center as well as lay off 47 people in the Police Department if the millage fails? Is this just a scare tactic?
• What cost reduction programs and reductions in staff will take place regardless of passage of a millage?
• How much will the increased millage cost me?
• Is there a sunset date on the millage request?
• How do we know that there is a shared sacrifice by the employees and the burden is not totally being born by the taxpayers (homeowners & businesses)?
• How does the City of Troy's millage rate compare to other full service cities in Oakland County? And how would it compare if the 1.9 Mill proposal passes?

Request for Absent Voter Ballot

Sample Ballot for the Special Election on Feb. 23, 2010

For information on Frequently Asked Quesions, please call 248.524.3330

For information on the Special Election or Absentee Ballots, please call 248.524.3316

Answers to these questions are found at www.troymi.gov/2010proposal