Bloomfield Township

Primary raises several important ballot questions

By Robin Ruehlen
C & G Staff Writer

In just under six weeks, residents in the Eagle’s coverage area will head to the polls to weigh in on some local races, township and county ballot proposals, and a host of offices ranging from county commission to state representative.

Bloomfield Township voters will decide whether or not to renew a current public safety millage, and will vote on uncontested supervisor, clerk, treasurer and Board of Trustees races in the Aug. 7 primary election.

The township ballot question will ask voters whether they want to renew up to 2.3931 mills for a period of 10 years to finance continued fire, police and public safety services commencing with the December 2013 levy. If the measure passes, the township will be allowed to collect $2.3931 per $1,000 of taxable value on all taxable property in the township. Officials estimate it would amount to $7.4 million in revenue in the first year.

Township Supervisor Leo Savoie said in May that the millage covers one-third of the township’s public safety budget.

“We need to go forward — we are forced to,” he said.

Savoie, Clerk Jan Roncelli and Treasurer Dan Devine are all running unopposed, as are trustees Neal Barnett, David Buckley, Brian Kepes and Corinne Khederian.

Countywide ballot questions include:

• The Oakland County Public Transportation Millage Renewal, which seeks to renew the 0.59 mills levied by the Oakland County Public Transportation Authority for continued support to the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation, or SMART.

• The Oakland County Art Institute Authority Millage, which, if approved, would levy a 0.2-mill, 10-year tax to support the Detroit Institute of Art. The new millage would generate approximately $9.8 million in 2012, and would cost homeowners $10 for every $100,000 that their home is worth.

Other races on the ballot include ones for the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate; state Legislature; county executive, prosecutor, sheriff, clerk, treasurer, water resources commissioner and county commission; circuit court judge; and district court judge.

Pam Brady, president of the League of Women Voters, Troy Area, said anyone can access voter guide information online at www.Vote411.org. Select Michigan, click “on your ballot” and fill in your street address, city and ZIP code to see a map with legislative district and school district information.

From there, scroll down to see biographical information and where candidates stand on specific issues.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Robin Ruehlen at rruehlen@candgnews.com or at (586)279-1105.