Nov. 8, 2016 Presidential Election: What's On the Ballot in Birmingham?

BIRMINGHAM, MI – As is typical in presidential election years, contests at the top of the ballot grab all the headlines; this year even more than usual. But voters in Birmingham have a few things at the bottom of the ballot; it's these smaller races that often go unheralded, but really have more to do with our day-to-day lives than who sits in the White House. Here are some things to prepare for on next week's ballot:

1. Birmingham Public Schools, Board Member, vote for four; two highest vote totals, six-year term; third and fourth highest, four-year term.

• Lori Ajlouny
• Audra Bartholomew
• Corey Jacoby
• Brian Jennings
• Kimberly Whitman
• Adrienne Young

OFFICIAL LIST OF PROPOSALS
GENERAL ELECTION – NOVEMBER 8, 2016
REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY OF SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN
A Proposal Authorizing the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan (RTA) to Levy an Assessment
The proposal would authorize the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan (RTA) to levy within Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties a
property tax assessment:
- at a rate of 1.2 mills ($1.20 per $1,000 of taxable value);
- for 20 years beginning in 2016 and ending in 2035;
- that may not be increased, renewed, or used for other purposes without direct voter approval; and
- to be used upon the affirmative vote of an RTA board member from each RTA member jurisdiction for the purpose of construction and operation of a
public transportation system connecting Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties, including rapid transit bus routes across county lines,
specialized service for senior citizens and people with disabilities, commuter rail, airport express service, and other public transportation purposes
permitted by law, consistent with RTA bylaws and subject to the limitations of the Regional Transit Authority Act.
If this new additional assessment is approved and levied, revenue will be disbursed to the RTA. It is estimated that $160,907,285 will be collected in the first year.
Should this assessment be approved?

BIRMINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS
OPERATING MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSAL
This proposal, if approved by the electors, will allow the Birmingham Public Schools to continue to levy up to 10.9236 mills for general operating purposes (a reduction from the 11.3111 mills previously authorized by the electors) on all taxable property in the School District to the extent that such property is not exempt
from such levy. Under existing law, the School District would levy only that portion of the mills on taxable property necessary to allow the School District to receive
the full revenue per pupil foundation allowance permitted by the State. The School District is currently only levying 8.5642 mills of these mills on personal residences (owner-occupied homes).
Shall the limitation on the total amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except property exempted by law, situated within the Birmingham Public Schools, County of Oakland, State of Michigan, be renewed as provided in the Michigan Constitution, in the amount of 10.9236 mills ($10.92 on each
$1,000 of taxable valuation), for a period of five (5) years, from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2022, inclusive, with 10.9236 mills of the above being a renewal of
millage which would otherwise expire on December 31, 2016? This millage would provide estimated revenues to the Birmingham Public Schools of Forty-Three Million Two Hundred Thousand and 00/100 ($43,200,000) Dollars during the 2017 calendar year, to be used for general operating purposes, if approved and levied.

On Tuesday, Nov. 8, polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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