Grosse Pointe Farms to seek road millage renewal

GROSSE POINTE FARMS — Voters in Grosse Pointe Farms will be deciding this fall whether to continue the city’s dedicated road millage for another five years.

The 2-mill levy, which was approved by voters in November 2020, expires with the 2024 winter tax collection in December. City officials hope to see a renewal of this millage in November 2024.

“These are not additional dollars,” City Manager Shane Reeside said during a June 10 Farms City Council meeting. “These are a continuation of an existing millage.”

Reeside said that while many repairs have been made, the city would benefit with an improvement in road conditions overall by continuing the millage.

“Based upon need, we feel that it is necessary that the millage be continued,” Reeside said.

The millage would generate an estimated $2,069,200 in the first year — the December 2025 winter tax collection — if approved by voters. Reeside said the renewal wouldn’t overlap with the existing millage, as the renewal wouldn’t take effect until next year.

“This is to be for (work) mainly on local roads,” City Councilman Lev Wood said of the millage renewal, which would target local rather than major roads.

Reeside acknowledged that was the case. While main roads such as Grosse Pointe Boulevard and the remainder of Kercheval Avenue still need to be done, “most of these funds would be (used) for local, interior roads,” Reeside said of what dollars from the millage renewal would be focused on.

He said work on major roads would continue as well.

“The city has traditionally contributed (budget funds) to roadwork,” Farms resident Andrew Dervan said. “Will that continue?”

Reeside said the city “intends to continue to do that.”

The council unanimously approved the millage renewal and ballot language.

For someone whose home has a market value of $300,000 and a taxable value of $150,000, 2 mills amounts to $300 per year.