Dorr Township officials have been looking for ways to expand the current township hall or find a new site because the facility is just too crowded for them to get their work done.
Another attempt to use funds from the Headlee Amendment rollback restoration approved county wide in 2020 failed this time without even a vote to have a Truth in Taxation hearing next month.
Supervisor Jeff Miling pointed out to his colleagues Thursday night that Dorr had a local tax levy of 1.07 mills, but after passage of the Headlee Amendment in 1978, the amount had been whittled down to 0.725 mill. Headlee provisions insist government units roll back their millage rates in order to secure the same amount in local taxes plus inflation from the previous year.
Because Allegan County voters approved restoration of the original levy of up to 1.0518 mills, Miling suggested taking up the issue again and put the revenue increase into a capital improvements fund to meet space needs.
But it was not to be.
Trustee John Tuinstra, a notorious anti-taxxer who scuttled the idea a year ago, immediately suggested that instead of scheduling a public hearing on increasing the millage limit, the board should organize a special building committee to lay out plans specifically for what the extra money would buy.
Trustee Chandler Stanton went one step further by stating, “I don’t think we should raise taxes on our citizens with inflation and high gas prices.”
Indeed, if the board went ahead with increasing the tax levy limit, it would go up by 0.3268 mill. A similiar proposal was offered in a truth in taxation hearing a year ago, but it was met by considerable opposition and abandoned.
This time Miling explained, “I want to build room so people have the space they need to work.” He added that he personally does a lot of work away from the office because it’s too cluttered and noisy.
Tuinstra moved and Stanton seconded to have any action postponed and Miling almost immediately afterward withdrew his proposal entirely.
In other business Thursday, the board:
• Adopted the proposed new master plan shortly after the Township Planning Commission recommended it. The vote was unanimous even though Tuinstra complained that some of his suggested corrections to the finished document were not made.
• Learned from Amanda Winters that the Parks Commission is working on a dog park for large dogs and small dogs.
• Heard a presentation from Wayland Union Schools Assistant Supt. for Finance and Operations Patricia Velie about the Aug. 2 bond issue in the primary election. Velie and Citizens’ Committee Chair Jeff Koon have been making the rounds to all local government units to explain the proposal for a new pool and other projects.
• Approved the reappointments of Brian Boot and Jody Schaendorf to three-year terms on the Planning Commission.
Well, I never thought of those who were not added tax advocates as notorious. The thought never crossed my mind. Sounds like a few of those elected still have a backbone. Perhaps the word notorious should be replaced with esteemed.
Another idea for revenue, why don’t we tax notorious abortions, maybe notorious fatty foods? With the apparent popularity of abortions and looking at many of those in our society, one would think that could create some profound revenues. Food for thought.
Ah yes John Tuinstra,notorious for taxing ants. When will these ant-taxxers learn they can’t oppress an entire species just because they’re smaller than humans. Truly a shame that this can go on for so long without any protests or awareness being raised.