Livonia Chamber supports renewal of city’s millages

Protecting police and fire staffing and Livonia’s quality of life are among several significant reasons the Livonia Chamber of Commerce endorses renewal of two city millage requests that go to voters this summer.

Livonia residents will be asked to approve 10-year renewals of a 1.7-mill levy for public safety, and a 0.25-mill levy to support the Greenmead Historic Village and Livonia Senior Center. The election for both millage requests will be held August 2.

Both millages were approved for five years by 75 percent of Livonia voters in August 2011.

The Livonia Chamber’s Board of Directors unanimously voted to endorse both millage renewals at its April meeting. Chamber leaders said renewing these millage proposals would not increase current tax rates to home and business owners.

“If these millages are not renewed, the Livonia Police Department would be forced to cut 35-40 positions, and we don’t believe anyone thinks that is a good idea,” said Dan West, president of the Livonia Chamber of Commerce. “The millage also enables the city to continue the training and purchase the equipment needed to maintain premier police and fire services in our city.”

The chamber also supports renewing the millage for Greenmead and the senior center, because they are popular programs that support quality of life in Livonia.

“Our board feels city leaders have been good stewards of the city’s budget, while keeping Livonia as the second-lowest tax rate of any city in Wayne County,” West added.

The Livonia Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit, non-partisan trade organization that represents 900 businesses and groups. The Livonia Chamber’s 21-member Board of Directors occasionally takes positions on issues that impact the local business community, but the Chamber does not endorse candidates running for office.