By K.D. Norris
Thanks to a large part to overwhelming support in the cities of Grand Rapids and East Grand Rapids, The Rapid transit system will continue to collect a property tax millage for 12 more years after the current one expires in 2018. Wyoming and Kentwood city voters also approved the millage request, but both by much closer margins.
Voters in Grandville also approved the millage request, but City of Walker voters turned it down.
The final numbers had the six-city total, according to the Kent County Clerk’s office, were 22,146 yes and 13,937 no. The City of Wyoming was 2,838 yes and 1,695 no. The City of Kentwood was 1,559 yes and 1,258 no. In contrast, Grand Rapids was 13,150 yes and 6,598 no; East Grand Rapids was 1,667 yes and 520 no; and Walker was 1,811 no and 1,581 yes.
“We are very pleased that voters have once again supported a vibrant public transit system in our region,” Michael Bulthuis, marketing & communications manager for The Rapid, said to WKTV Wednesday. “This renewal will allow us to maintain the outstanding service we provide to residents, businesses and visitors in the greater Grand Rapids area and continue to innovate to meet the needs of our community. It’s also a vote of confidence from taxpayers who clearly value a well-run, financially-responsible public transit system.”
The Rapid, which is directed by the Interurban Transit Partnership Board, will continue to collect a 1.47-mill tax until 2029. That millage is expected to total about $15 million in 2018. The millage will be used for operating service costs including labor (wages), fuel, tires, utilities, etc., essentially variable or day-to-day costs.
The tax revenue accounts for about one-third of The Rapid’s operational budget. Its other income includes Michigan Department of Transportation funds (about 33 percent), passenger fares (about 16 percent), contracts for service (about 14.5 percent) and other revenue (about 2 percent)
The millage will neither raise nor lower the current approved millage. The current millage of 1.47 mils is set to expire July 2018. The approved millage of 1.47 will run 2018-29. According to The Rapid, the cost to property tax payers will be $73.50 per year for a $100,000 home with a taxable value of $50,000.
For a more detailed story on the The Rapid, its millage renewal request, and its services, see a WKTV Journal story here.
