Here is the background on the two Wayne County ballot proposals appearing on the Aug. 6 primary ballot:

Two Important County Proposals on Primary Election Ballot

Proposals affecting county property taxes and amending the county charter will be on the ballot in all Wayne County communities on Tuesday, August 6.

Voters asked to renew county parks millage

Voters will be asked to consider renewing a tax commonly referred to as the parks millage. It was first authorized by county voters in 1996, and then renewed for five-year periods on five occasions since.

The proposal would continue the millage through 2030. The parks levy is just under one-quarter of a mill and appears on winter tax bills.

In very approximate terms, the tax would cost $24.42 per year on a home that is worth $100,000. A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property's taxable value. Taxable value is listed on tax bills and on assessment notices.

To determine how much one pays on the parks millage, their home's taxable value can be multiplied by .0002442. If passed, it is expected to generate about $14.47 million in 2026.

The parks millage would provide funding for park improvements in the county and local municipalities. Here is the proposal as it will appear on the ballot:

Proposition P

PARKS MILLAGE RENEWAL

To renew the millage authorized in 2020, shall Wayne County levy this millage at the 2023 rollback rate of 0.2442 mills (about $0.24 per $1,000 of taxable valuation) for five more years (2026 through 2030) to continue to improve and operate several parks and related facilities, including Hines Park, Elizabeth Park, Wayne County Family Aquatic Center at Chandler Park, and improvements to municipal parks in the 43 communities as provided in an implementing ordinance through an annual allocation by commission district of the greater of $50,000 or 15% of the total funds generated from that district, on the condition that, for any year for which this continued levy would be imposed, Wayne County must budget from other sources an amount equal to its 1995-1996 fiscal year appropriation for parks? Based upon the total estimated 2026 taxable value of $59,252,807,563, this renewal is projected to generate $14,469,536 in 2026.

YES _____________

NO ______________

Voters asked to amend Auditor selection process in charter

Voters will be asked to amend the County charter to allow any qualified audit firm to be awarded the contract for independent external auditor services when the County competitively bids audit services.

The current requirement that limits the services of an independent external auditor to 8 years would be eliminated. The County would be permitted to select the best qualified audit firm.

Here is the proposal as it will appear on the ballot:

Proposition A

AUDITOR SELECTION AMENDMENT

Shall the Wayne County Charter Section 3.119 (e) be amended in part to allow the County's independent external auditor, selected by competitive bid, to serve for a term of three years or more?

YES _____________

NO _____________

2023-24 Budget information

The 2023-24 operating budget for Wayne County is now available for public inspection. To view the budget, click on the link below.

The Wayne County Commission and its employees are the legislative branch of county government. The chief role of the commission is to adopt a budget and enact ordinances. The commission also approves contracts, appointments and rules. The money is spent and ordinances are enforced through the administrative branch. The 2022-23 fiscal year budget runs the county operations that serve the more than 1.8 million people living in Wayne County. All Wayne County Commission meetings, as well as the budget sessions, are open to the public. The commission meets on the first and the third Thursday of the month at 10:00 a.m. in its chambers on the mezzanine level of the Guardian Building, 500 Griswold, Detroit. In addition to the full body, the commission has eight standing committees, along with special committees and task forces. Wayne County, the most populous county in Michigan, is divided into 15 districts, and commissioners are elected every two years in even-year elections. For an explanation of how Wayne County government is structured, how it works and what it does for you, please read "A Citizen's Guide to Wayne County Government."

A Citizen's Guide to Wayne County Government

Access to ordinances

Rules of Procedure

The Wayne County Commissionion Rules of Procedure is available by clicking on the link below.

Rules of Procedure