Township adopts millage rate, waits on budget

The Orion Township Board of Trustees established a millage rate for 2007 that was lower than previously anticipated. However, the board did not adopt their 2008 budget during their regular meeting last week.
The board had to set a millage rate at the meeting, but will hold another budget meeting in October and has until the end of that month to finalize the 2008 budget.
The board will set a date for a special budget meeting at their meeting next Monday.
The adopted millage rate of 0.82 is consistent with the millage established each of the past two years. A millage of about 0.93 mills was a possibility, but the board voted on a rollback due to their estimated $6 million surplus.
Township Supervisor Jerry Dywasuk said this rollback would likely amount to $10-12 per homeowner.
The total millage for the township was set at 4.033, which includes the fire fund (0.9916), the police fund (1.9832) and safety paths (0.2382).
This will be the last time a millage is levied for the safety paths, based on the results of the May election, unless a new proposal is approved in the next year.