Ballot proposals in South Lyon, Walled Lake, and Wixom

Residents in South Lyon, Walled Lake, and Wixom will see proposals on their ballot for the Nov. 3 general election.

The proposals deal with city manager term limits, the renewal of a municipal operating tax rate, and a city charter amendment.

Here’s the ballot proposals for each community:

South Lyon: City charter amendment

Residents will be asked to consider a city charter amendment that, if approved, would define a “quorum” as the majority of the seven-member city council, not the current three members.

The ballot language reads: Shall Section 4.5of the South Lyon City Charter be amended to change the number of city council members required to constitute a quorum from three to a majority of the seven-member city council, making this section consistent with the existing Section 13.4of the City Charter which provides that a majority of the number of members of the city council shall constitute a quorum?

Walled Lake: City manager term limits

Residents will be asked to consider a city charter amendment that, if approved, would prohibit an individual from serving as city manager for more than 10years, including any time accrued as city manager before the charter amendment takes effect.

If the proposal is approved by voters, Walled Lake City Manager Dennis Whitt would be out immediately, leaving the city to pay out the remainder of his contract, which doesn’t expire until January 2025, and severance package, a total estimated at $750,000. Whitt’s base salary is $160,000per year.

The charter amendment was reviewed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel prior to submission to the voters, with both disapproving the initiatory proposal because it failed to comply with state lawas determined by Nessel.

The ballot language reads: Shall Section 4.7of the City

Charter be amended to prohibit an individual from serving as city manager for more than 10years in total, including any time accrued as city manager before the charter amendment takes effect?

Wixom: Renewal of municipal operating tax rate

Residents will be asked to consider renewing the city’s municipal operating tax rate for an additional four years. The tax funds public safety, parks and recreation, public works, and other city government operations.

The city’s current municipal operating tax rate is 3.5mills ($3.50per $1,000taxable value). A house with a $300,000 taxable value would result in the homeowner paying $1,050 in taxes per year.

The ballot language reads: Shall the previously approved additional operating millage in Section 9.2of the Wixom City Charter of up to 3.5mills (which is equal to $3.50per $1,000of taxable value) be renewed for an additional four (4) years, commencing July 1, 2021, and effective through and including July 1, 2024, to provide funds for municipal operating purposes including police and fire, public works, and parks & recreation? Shall the previously approved additional operating millage in Section 9.2of the Wixom

City Charter of up to 3.5mills (which is equal to $3.50per $1,000of taxable value) be renewed for an additional four (4) years, commencing July 1, 2021, and effective through and including July 1, 2024, to provide funds for municipal operating purposes including police and fire, public works, and parks and recreation?