The Mayor of East Lansing presented information on Tuesday on the city's new income tax ballot proposal.
He held a community meeting at the Recital Room in the East Lansing Hannah Community Center.
He presented the information and handled a Q & A from those in attendance.
The new tax proposal will be on the August 7 Primary Election ballot.
And although it is similar to the previous proposal voted on in November 2017, this proposal includes three key differences according to the Mayor:
§ The current proposal is a City Charter amendment instead of a policy resolution, meaning it cannot be changed by the current or future Council without another Charter amendment, which would require a vote of the people.
§ By City Charter, the tax would be time-limited to 12 years.
§ By City Charter, funding generated by the tax would be dedicated for specific purposes: 20% to police and fire protection, 20% to infrastructure (maintenance and improvement of streets and sidewalks; water and sewer systems; and parks, recreation and City-owned facilities) and 60% to supplemental payments for unfunded pension liabilities for retired City employees.
Community members can visit www.cityofeastlansing.com/incometax to find additional information about the proposal, including ballot language, an income tax calculator and more.
The next meeting on this subject is planned for June 20 at 6 p.m. at the East Lansing Public Library.
