The Aug. 3 primary election includes several millage proposals in addition to candidates for state and county office.
Clarkston residents vote on a ballot proposal to increase city charter limit by 5 mills, from 15 to 20 mills. This would raise approximately $220,000 when first levied in 2010. City officials promised to use revenue to fund the police department.
Independence Township residents have three millages to consider, a library renewal for 0.691 mills for four years that would collect approximately $997,250.00 in the first year; police renewal of 2.5047 mills for the next four years, which would collect $2,965,338.00 in the first year; and police increase of .8593 mills, which would collect an additional $1,292,095.00 in the first year.
The combined 2.95 mills would collect $4,257,433. Township officials have said even with the increase, the amount residents pay equals about the same of what they currently pay due to decrease in property tax.
Springfield Township is asking for a .75 mill increase for its park and recreation millage, if approved the increase would collect an additional $428,360.68.
Voters from all three areas will decide on an Oakland County Parks and Recreation millage renewal. The .2415 mill if renewed would collect approximately $10,900 in 2012.
Those interested in voting before the Aug. 3 primary can pick up an absentee ballot at the City of Clarkston office at 375 Depot Road, Independence Township Hall 6483 Waldon Center Drive, or Springfield Township Hall at 12000 Davisburg Road
The city mailed between 90-100 absentee ballots, Independence Township sent 2,258 ballots out, and Springfield mailed approximately 450. Both Independence and Springfield Township Halls will be open from 9 a.m. ? 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 31, to allow for absentee voters to vote. Voters can also vote at both township halls on Monday, Aug 2. For more information call Independence at 248-625-3370 and Springfield at 248-634-3111. For more information on candidates visit the League of Women Voters of Michigan website at www.lwvmi.org

Clarkston-area voters will decide several local millages, Aug. 3, determining funding for police, parks, and other services:
An amendment to Section 8.2 of Chapter VIII of the (Clarkston) City Charter to increase the authorized maximum millage from 15 mills to 20 mills which may be levied annually by the City Council for general municipal purposes. This amendment will increase the Charter limit from 15 mills to 20 mills. It is estimated that if levied, the five additional mills would raise approximately $220,000.00 when first levied in 2010.
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Shall the Charter Township of Independence be authorized to continue the previously authorized levy of up to 2.0547 for a period of four (4) years, starting with the December 2010 levy, for the purpose of continuing to provide police services in Independence Township ? approval of this proposal would permit a tax limitation increase of approximately $2.05 per $1,000 of taxable value on all taxable property in the township. If approved and levied, it is estimated that this proposal would result in the authorization to collect $2,965,338.00 in the first year. It is estimated that 98.83% of the annual millage revenue would be disbursed to the Charter Township of Independence for police services and, as required by law, 1.17% would be disbursed to the Township’s Sashabaw Road Corridor Improvement Authority. The amount disbursed to the Sashabaw Road Corridor Improvement Authority shall be collected solely from properties within the Sashabaw Road Corridor Improvement Authority District.
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Shall the Charter Township of Independence be authorized to levy an additional .8953 mills for a period of four years, starting with the December 2010 levy, for the purpose of continuing to provide police services in Independence Township ? approval of this proposal would permit a tax limitation increase of approximately 90 cents per $1,000 of taxable value on all taxable property in the Township. If approved and levied, it is estimated that this proposal would result in the authorization to collect $1,292,095.00 in the first year. It is estimated that 98.83% of the annual millage revenue would be disbursed to the Charter Township of Independence for police services and, as required by law, 1.17% would be disbursed to the Township’s Sashabaw Road Corridor Improvement Authority. The amount disbursed to the Sashabaw Road Corridor Improvement Authority shall be collected solely from properties within the Sashabaw Road Corridor Improvement Authority District.
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Shall the Charter Township of Independence be authorized to continue the previously authorized levy of up to 0.691 of one mill for a period of four years, starting with the December 2010 levy, for purposes of continuing the operation, maintenance and support of the Independence Township Public Library ? approval of this proposal would renew a tax limitation increase of approximately 69 cents per $1,000 of taxable value on all taxable property in the Township. If approved and levied, it is estimated that this proposal would result in the authorization to collect $997,250.00 in the first year. It is estimated that 98.83% of the annual millage revenue would be disbursed to the Charter Township of Independence for the Library and, as required by law, 1.17% would be disbursed to the Township’s Sashabaw Road Corridor Improvement Authority. The amount disbursed to the Sashabaw Road Corridor Improvement Authority shall be collected solely from properties within the Sashabaw Road Corridor Improvement Authority District.
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Shall the constitutional tax limitation on the amount of taxes upon all taxable property within the Charter Township of Springfield be increased by .75 mills ($0.75 per $1,000 of taxable value) for a period of four years from 2010 through 2013, inclusive, for the purpose of providing funds for developing, maintaining, and operating the parks, preserves, recreational sites, facilities, trails, programs, and services managed and/or owned by the Township; and shall the Township levy such increase in millage for said purposes, thereby raising in the first year an estimated $428,360.68?