The following is a comparison of the ballot language for three separate proposals. Two of these proposals will be voted on this November are for Ypsilanti’s City Income Tax and the charter amendments for Lincoln Park. The third was proposed ballot language that was adopted on July 20, 2004 for a City Income Tax in St. Louis, Michigan. That proposal was never placed on the ballot.

It is up to you to decide what is clear language that apprises voters as to the substance of the proposal.

CITY OF YPSILANTI

City Income Tax

Shall Ordinance No. 2007-1065 adopting the Uniform City Income Tax Ordinance, which:

• imposes an annual rate of income tax of 1 % annually on corporations and resident individuals, and 0.5 % annually on non-resident individuals who are employed within the city.
• allows a $1,000 exemption for each individual and dependent with additional cumulative exemptions for individuals over age 65 and for individuals with qualifying disabilities.
• exempts income from pensions, Social Security, annuities, disability payments, and other qualifying sources of income becomes effective July 1, 2008, and expires July 1, 2014 be approved?

Yes ( ) No ( )

Ypsilanti City Council adopted Ordinance 2007-1065, Uniform Income Tax Ordinance, subject to voter’s approval. The purpose of the city income tax is to increase revenue and expand the tax base. Without a revenue increase, city administration projects that additional service cuts will be required to balance the budget for fiscal years 2009 and 2010. City administration projects that revenue from the proposed income tax would allow current service levels until at least fiscal year 2012. According to the Plante-Moran Income Tax Feasibility Study commissioned by the city in 2005, the income tax would generate approximately $4 million in annual revenue from 10,600 non-residents who work in the city of Ypsilanti and 11,400 working city residents. If the income tax is approved, Ordinance 2007-1067 adopted by Ypsilanti City Council reduces the city property tax rate by 2 mills.

CITY OF LINCOLN PARK

Charter Amendment 1
Police and Fire

An amendment to Section 5 of Chapter VII of the City Charter to restore the levy of 3.4591 mills for three years for police and fire purposes.

This amendment will authorize a tax of not to exceed 3.4591 mills for three years, 2008 through 2010, solely for police and fire purposes. Approval would increase the tax levy 3.4591 mills as new additional millage in excess of the limitation imposed by law, restoring a portion of the Charter millage authorization previously approved by the Headlee amendment. It is estimated that if levied, 3.4591 mills would raise approxiamately $2,770,000 when first levied in 2008.

Shall the proposed amendment be adopted?

Yes ( ) No ( )

CITY OF ST. LOUIS

City of St. Louis, City Income Tax Proposition

Shall the adoption by the City Council of the City of St. Louis, Michigan, of Ordinance B-167, entitled “An Ordinance Adopting the Uniform City Income Tax,” as set forth in Chapter 2 of Public Act No. 284, Michigan Public Acts of 1964, which provides for an excise tax of one percent (1%) on corporations and resident individuals and of one-half percent (1/2%) on nonresident individuals, be approved and said ordinance be adopted by the City Council?

Yes ( ) No ( )