Funding for Sashabaw Road improvements through library and police millages still complicates millage renewal efforts.
‘I’m as concerned as I was last time around,? said Independence Township Trustee David Lohmeier at the Jan. 2 regular board meeting.
The Sashabaw Corridor Improvement Authority (CIA) funding includes some library and police funds. Township Attorney Steve Joppich said Oakland County sought an attorney general opinion on whether they had to disclose disbursement amounts.
Lohmeier felt if they keep the CIA language in the ballot language, then ethically they should disclose where the money is going.
‘If you’re proud of that activity there is no reason you should hide it,? he said.
Supervisor Dave Wagner said changing millage funding to the CIA or Tax Increment Financing would open the door for all CIA participants to opt out.
Joppich said he wasn’t sure if the amendment ‘might be intractably tied to the whole thing.?
‘It’s very clear when you create a TIF plan for the first time, they can opt out of the whole thing,? he said. ‘When you’re amending it, it might be possible they can only opt out of the amendment you are putting forward to them.?
Wallace motioned for the supervisor and consultants meet informally with the county to discuss amending the CIA funding plan to withdraw library and police millages.
The board agreed unanimous.
‘I’m certainly concerned about what the county would be thinking,? said Treasurer Curt Carson.
Wallace also recommended they consider changing the CIA plan to remove library and police funds.
Carson said he could not agree with the second motion because he felt it was ‘too aggressive.?
‘Let’s take a little slower approach to this,? he said. “Let’s go to the county see what their temperature is and then if we need to pursue it, we can pursue it certainly for the November election.?
Trustee Larry Rosso agreed.
‘I really believe we can’t leave Sashabaw in the condition it’s in. The money can only be acquired through the CIA, and we made a commitment with our main developer, McLaren, for road improvement,? he said. ‘I’d hate to see the baby thrown out with the bath water.?
Lohmeier disagreed.
‘What would be inexcusable in my opinion is for us to let time make the decision for us and delay, and then we’re out of time. This just gives us insurance,? he said. ‘Let’s not let time make the decision and get ourselves ready for what we might have to do.?
The second motion failed 4-2, Clerk Shelagh VanderVeen was absent.