Troy voters to decide bond initiative that includes new library

Within the elections of November 4, Troy voters will determine whether or not they need to approve a 20-year $ 137 million bond initiative {that a} new library, highway connections, public security gear and parks and recreation amenities would finance.

Earlier this month, town council voted 6-1 to place the difficulty on the temper. Councilor Mark Gunn voted no and mentioned he supported the band, however he have to be cut up into separate voting questions, in order that voters may determine which tasks they useful.

If voters approve the proposal, the estimated millage to pay the proposed bonds within the first 12 months is 1,1327 mills, based on data on town web site. For a home with a taxable worth of $ 175,000, taxes would rise by $ 198.

The common Troy residence worth is round $ 460,000. However the common taxable residence worth is lower than $ 175,000 as a result of owners in Michigan are protected towards a big improve in the actual property tax by the state group. The taxable worth of a property rises by not more than 5% from one 12 months to the next till the property is offered or transferred.

Councilor David Hamilton mentioned that Troy has not elevated tax charges comparable to different cities within the neighborhood to compensate for losses in taxable values.

“We’ve got beneath -finance our metropolis for the reason that large recession,” he mentioned. “The service degree required by our residents can’t be achieved with one of many lowest tax charges in Southeast Michigan.”

He mentioned that if the bond fails, town should make cuts within the companies in areas apart from public security.

A brand new library of 90,000 sq. foot, at an estimated price of $ 75 million, is the most important undertaking that will finance the bond.

The present Library, 510 W. Massive Beaver Highway close to I-75, was in-built 1971 and is “functionally outdated”, mentioned director Emily Dumas in an e-mail.

“It’s primarily missing in 4 important areas which have developed significantly through the years: expertise, Individuals with a incapacity act accessibility, security/safety and sustainability,” she wrote.

A report from a 2023 of a library advisor group mentioned that the constructing is about half the dimensions wanted to assist a metropolis the dimensions of Troy.

“Due to these limitations, we’re unable so as to add sure essential and extremely desired features in our library, comparable to school rooms, assembly areas and household softets to call just some. We aren’t structurally in a position so as to add a second story, nor very far on our present website, so we’re very restricted on this constructing.

She mentioned that town did “plasters” about constructing issues comparable to fungal consumption; Raise loss; roof and window leaks; and heating, air flow and air con issues.

The proposed new three -storey library can be:

– Devoted assembly and school rooms;

– Maker Area and Reminiscence Lab;

– grownup, kids and teenage areas;

– Cafe and outside programming.

The brand new library can be constructed close to the group heart on the municipal campus.

The bond initiative would come with $ 35 million for roads, $ 17 million for parks and recreation and $ 10 million for public security.

Highway tasks:

– $ 16 million to enhance Coolidge Freeway;

– $ 14 million to enhance Wattles Highway;

– $ 5 million to enhance totally different native roads.

Parks and Recreation:

– $ 7.5 million for park enhancements;

– $ 3.2 million to replace Troy Farm, 3325 W. South Blvd, a facility with two historic barns and backyard plots for seniors;

– $ 3 million to develop town’s path system;

– $ 2.4 million for upkeep within the Neighborhood Middle;

– $ 1 million to construct new pickleball rights.

Public security:

– substitute of the hearth machine;

-S buy of recent cameras and related expertise worn by the police.

The council has held varied conferences since January to prioritize tasks. The council and metropolis workers initially recognized round $ 200 million in wants. They checked out different potential sources of financing and threw the listing on the present voting proposal to request as much as $ 137 million.

Initially printed: July 31, 2025 at 12:48 pm Edt