HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2014.07.16 - 21414Miscellaneous Resolution # #14171
BY: Commissioners Mattie McKinney Hatchett, District #10; Shelley Goodman Taub, District #12;
Helaine Zack, District #18; Bill Dwyer, District #14; Bob Hoffman, District #2; Kathy S. Crawford,
District #9
RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — SUPPORT OF PROPOSITION 1 ON THE AUGUST 5, 2014
BALLOT TO REPEAL AND REPLACE THE MICHIGAN PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX
TO: Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS local governments in Michigan and Oakland County have struggled with unstable funding
needed to provide services; and
WHEREAS Michigan and Oakland County businesses have struggled with an uncompetitive tax on
business; and
WHEREAS Michigan's personal property tax is an antiquated unfair double tax on Michigan's small
businesses; and
WHEREAS small businesses and manufacturers power our economy and are the largest contributor to
job growth in Michigan; and
WHEREAS no other state in our region taxes business equipment the way Michigan does — and most
of those states don't tax it at all, which makes Michigan significantly less competitive when it comes to
job creation and business investment; and
WHEREAS Michigan communities have struggled for years to pay for essential services like police,
fire, ambulances, schools and jails; and
WHEREAS Michigan communities have relied on this shrinking source of Personal Property Tax
revenue to provide other community services as well, including roads, transportation and libraries ; and
WHEREAS with bipartisan support the Michigan legislature has voted to reform the antiquated personal
property tax to help increase Michigan's competitiveness with other states and remove an onerous tax
that will allow more business investment and create more jobs while making local community more
financially stable at the same time;.
WHEREAS this is not a constitutional amendment but the state constitution requires Michigan voters to
approve certain changes in local taxes;
WHEREAS local governments have struggled with unstable funding needed to provide services and
business have struggled with an uncompetitive tax on equipment for years;
WHEREAS the proposal will make Michigan more competitive, which will help local communities to
attract more businesses and create local jobs; and
WHEREAS if this proposal is not passed by Michigan voters, the antiquated unfair tax on our state's
small businesses and manufacturers will go back into effect and Michigan communities will not have
stable revenue to fund local services; and
WHEREAS the proposal is supported by many local governments and business organizations
including the AARP-Michigan, Michigan Association of Counties, the Michigan Municipal League, the
Michigan Townships Association, Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, Michigan Association of
Police Organizations, Michigan Community College Association, Michigan Farm Bureau, the Small
Business Association of Michigan, Michigan Sheriffs Association, Michigan Chamber of Commerce,
National Association of Independent Businesses and the Michigan Manufacturers Association.
WHEREAS the Oakland County Board of Commissioners has taken a position on ballot initiatives in the
past on issues that may have a strong impact on Oakland County's future.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners supports the
passage of Proposal 1 which will be placed before voters on the August 5, 2015 Michigan Primary
Ballot.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVEDBE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Clerk/Register of
Chairperson, I move the adoption of the foregoing Resolution.
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Mattie McKinneY Hatchett, pistribt #10
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Shelley GoodmanAirup, pistrict #12
Commissioner Bill Dwybr, District #14
CommissioneAKathy Crawforq4Vtrict #9
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Deeds is requested to forward copies of this adopted resolution to the Governor of the State of
Michigan, the Oakland County delegation to the state legislature, the Michigan Association of Counties,
the Strong and Safe Communities Coalition and Oakland County's legislative lobbyists.
Commissioner Bob Hoffman, District #2
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Resolution #14171 July 16, 2014
Moved by Hatchett supported by Taub to suspend the rules and vote on Miscellaneous Resolution
#14171 — Board of Commissioners — Support of Proposition 1 on the August 5, 2014 Ballot to Repeal and
Replace the Michigan Personal Property Tax.
Vote on motion to suspend the rules:
AYES: Gershenson, Gingell, Hatchett, Jackson, Matis, McGillivray, Middleton, Spisz, Taub, Zack,
Crawford, Dwyer. (12)
NAYS: Gosselin, Long, Scott, Weipert, Bosnic. (5)
A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the motion to suspend the rules and vote on Miscellaneous
Resolution #14171 — Board of Commissioners — Support of Proposition 1 on the August 5, 2014 Ballot to
Repeal and Replace the Michigan Personal Property Tax carried.
Commissioner Long addressed the Board and stated she makes an effort not tell residents how to vote
on proposals or millages and will not support this resolution.
Moved by Hatchett supported by Taub the resolution be adopted.
AYES: Gingell, Hatchett, Jackson, Matis, McGillivray, Middleton, Taub, Zack, Crawford, Dwyer. (10)
NAYS: Gosselin, Long, Scott, Spisz, Weipert, Bosnic, Gershenson, (7)
A sufficient majority having not voted in favor, the resolution failed.