Millage FAQs

• The Township has gone through a three-year study analyzing Township facilities as well as a study on the current sheriff substation in which the study shows the building has documented issues throughout and is functionally inadequate.  Additional studies indicate a new building in the exact location will provide the most cost-effective solution.

• The proposals will appear on the ballot for a May 2, 2023 Election.

CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF DELTA
PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY & STORAGE BUILDING
BOND PROPOSAL

For the purpose of constructing, equipping, and furnishing a replacement public safety facility and adjacent storage building, and related site work, shall the Charter Township of Delta, County of Eaton, State of Michigan, borrow the principal amount of not to exceed Sixteen million dollars ($16,000,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds?

The following is for informational purposes only:

The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2023 is 1.1218 mills ($1.1218 for each $1,000 of taxable value). The estimated simple average annual millage rate required to retire the bonds is 1.0264 mills ($1.0264 for each $1,000 of taxable value).  The maximum number of years the bonds may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is ten (10) years.

• The Township first had preliminary plans on a new substation in 2006 and discussed asking voters for a millage to rebuild the sheriff substation in 2007-2008.  Those plans were roughly 21,000 sq. ft.  The Township engaged consultants in 2019 to further study the building and refine plans to the current 16,000 sq. ft. design.

The Township has created tax increment finance districts, which require some capture of taxes for increased value consistent with state statute.  That is very similar for brownfields, CIA districts, DDA’s, etc.  The language on the ballot is intended to be fully transparent regarding some of the revenue being captured by these districts.   Tax increment finance (TIFs) districts are created to assist with focused economic development.  The capture the increment of value increase once a project is completed or new value is added.  The Township still receives the initial value prior to the new investment being created so it does not lose anything. 

The Township has two TIF districts.

1. Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.  This is related to the capture district created to redevelop the property that is now the Hilton Garden Inn, Starbucks, and Outback.  This capture is only on the increased value and will only last until the remaining eligible costs for the brownfield are repaid according to the brownfield plan.  It will only capture for a few more years.  The estimated capture 2022 would have been $5,203.30.
2. The Corridor Improvement Authority was created last year.  This captures funds only on the new value at Delta Crossings property by the freeway and the vacant parcel at Creyts and Saginaw.  These funds are used to improve the corridor according to the plan.  The CIA district was created for 20 years and captures 80% of new value (20% is returned to the Township).  The estimated capture for 2022 would have been $9,335.51 total.

In total, roughly $14,538.81 would have been captured out of the roughly $1,700,000 in revenue, so it is a very small percentage that will be captured (would be less than 1% in the 2022 estimate).  The millage other than that small amount is in fact dedicated to public safety. The millage (More than 99%) is in fact dedicated to public safety.

• If the bond proposal passes, the average residential property owner in Delta Township can expect to pay an estimated $112.18 in additional taxes per year based on an average home market value of $200,000 and a taxable value of $100,000.  

• The Township has done a lot of preliminary work to be able to move quickly.  If the bond proposal for the building passes, the Township would enter the final design phase and would put the project out for bids.  It is likely construction would begin in the Summer of 2023.

Please contact the Manager’s Office
Email Us
ph: 517-323-8590 
7710 W. Saginaw Hwy.
Lansing, MI 48917

• The Bond would generate approximately $16,000,000

All registered voters of Delta Township are able to vote on this bond request. For more information about the election or how to become a registered voter please visit www.michigan.gov/vote.