Annexation Ballot for 3 Properties Set for Aug. 5

The three owners petitioned to join the neighboring city of Oak Park. The City Council approved the annexation ballot July 21 and the vote will be held Aug. 5. All registered voters in Oak Park and the two apartment complexes are eligible to participate in the election.

Norman Hyman, attorney for the owners, tells GlobeSt.com that the township taxes are astronomical, and the services are terrible. "They're just not getting their money's worth," Hyman says. The township has been a repeated target of the state for bad financial practices.

On the same Aug. 5 ballot, the township seeks to renew a parks and recreation millage that has been collected for years without the required vote for renewal. The township tax rate is above 40 mills, including a 26-mill tax for services by the Oakland County Sheriff's Department. The tax was created when the township couldn't pay its police services bill and so created a special assessment district in order to handle the bill.

Most of the approximate 5,000 township residents live below the poverty level, according to the 2000 US Census. The area began as refugee slaves settled in an area along Eight Mile Road, along Detroit's northern border.

The roads are terrible and there are not enough working fire hydrants to service the businesses, Hyman says. Oak Park agreed because it will make money on the deal from the three businesses, valued at about $14 million total by the county's equalization office.

Robert Bruner, assistant to the city manager, says Oak Park hopes to gain almost $300,000 each year from the properties through property taxes.

The city may hire public safety officers, building inspectors and code assistance officers with the money. The cash won't come right away. The city will also incur liabilities from the township in the deal. However, the building owners have promised to compensate the city for its loss.

It's expected that the township will lose about 20% of its property tax values. Township officials refused to comment on the election. Other annexation issues in areas such as Bloomfield Hills, Milford Township and Utica have been settled through court battles.