This November, residents will finally decide whether or not Independence Township needs a new senior center and operating millage.
At the Aug. 5 special board meeting, trustees voted unanimously to place a 4-year, 0.4 mills operational millage and $3.1 million (.12 mills) bond issue on the general election. The votes were met with cheers and applause from the audience.
‘I can’t say this passionately enough,? said Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman David Lohmeier, ‘our goal is to replace (the current senior center).?
The final ballot proposal is requesting a 14,000-square-foot stand-alone senior center. A health and wellness center is not included, but the addition remains open as a possibility for the future.
‘A health and wellness center is appropriate, is needed, but is inappropriate at this time,? said Lohmeier. ‘The recommended strategy is more judicious in its use of taxpayer funds.?
According to Township Financial Director Sue Hendricks, the current senior center costs around $650,000 to operate. The projected operational costs for a new center are about $200,000 more.
‘Coming up with these increased costs are assumptions from everyone ? Margaret (Bartos), Mike (Turk) and myself,? said Hendricks during the meeting. ‘These numbers are not set in stone.?
During public comment on the issue, one voice spoke against the ballot proposals. Township resident Rudy Lozano, who is also chairman of the board for the Road Commission for Oakland County, does not feel the proposals will ‘fly.?
‘The board should be taking care of parks and recreation,? said Lozano. ‘We have young families with children moving into this community and they want parks and recreation.
‘I think our focus should be on parks and recreation, and I have a back up plan for the seniors.?
Lozano suggested the board put forward a 0.7 or 0.8 mills proposal on the ballot for parks and recreation in addition to the senior center proposals. He said the amount would cover the operating costs of both services, and if the senior center were to fail, ‘the parks and rec millage would pick up.?
‘The senior plan is way too exorbitant for the needs of parks and recreation,? said Lozano. ‘At least now we would have a back up plan.?
Lozano’s comments did not receive favorable reactions from township trustees or parks and rec commission members.
‘Our focus up till now has been a very conservative approach,? said Township Treasurer Jim Wenger. ‘Due diligence has been done and we don’t want to muddy the waters with too many confusing proposals.?
‘We came before the board at the beginning and said this is the path we are considering. We asked the board to give us direction at that time, and the board said keep going,? said Lohmeier. ‘We need passionate advocates on the board for this ? we can’t put this out there just to see what happens.?
The formal proposals on the ballot will request the following:
? A 4-year, 0.4 mills operational millage that will generate an estimated $494,296 in the first year for the operations and maintenance of an adult activity center. This breaks down to $61.88 per residential property (based on an average taxable value of $154,709).
? The 21-year, .12 mills bond issue will generate a usable amount up to $3.1 million for construction of the adult activity center. This breaks down to $18.56 per property.
The total for the two proposals is $80.44 per year.
The final motions on the ballot proposals were made by Trustee Dan Kelly and supported by Treasurer Wenger. Trustees Dan Travis and Charles Dunn were absent from the meeting.