May 3, 2011 Election Results
What a very successful day for transit investment! Six communities went to the ballot on May 3 with measures to continue or increase financing for local transit service. All six measures were approved by voters! This is a 100% success rate for the day, and over 87% success rate for 2011 thus far. Without the added turnout and publicity of a federal election, these communities ran campaigns that educated and motivated voters to get out in support of transit.
The only close election was in Grand Rapid, MI, where a 0.35 mill increase for The Rapid passed with just over 50% of the vote. The other communities approved their measures by significant margins, including 75% of voters in Benzie County voting yes on the first levy renewal for Benzie Bus. An additional three property tax measures appeared on the ballot as did one sales tax.
The 2011 Transit Initiatives and Communities Conference will take a look at how these measures were won and what actions communities who are looking to replicate their success can take. Learn More or Register to Attend the 2011 TIC Conference on June 20-22, 2011.
News Coverage:
Benzie County, MI " Benzie, Kalkaska renew bus millages" Traverse City Record-Eagle, May 4, 2011
Grand Haven, MI "Grand Haven Township voters approve transportation millage" The Muskegon Chronicle, May 4, 2011
Grand Rapids, MI "Next up for Rapid after millage passes: Ordering new buses, hiring more drivers" The Grand Rapids Press, May 4, 2011
Holland, MI "Macatawa Area Transit Authority millage passes" The Holland Sentinel, May 4, 2011
Stark County, OH "SARTA cruises at polls" The Times-Reporter, May 4, 2011
| |
STATE |
CITY |
Type |
SUBJECT |
OUTCOME |
| 1 |
MI |
Benzie County |
Type: Property Tax |
This measure asked voters to renew and restore a 0.5 mill tax for Benzie Bus for 5 years. Without approval, Benzie Bus service would have been forced to stop indefinitely. The measure is expected to raise about $541,000 in its first year. This is the first time voters were asked to renew the millage for the five-year old system. |
WIN
Approved
75%-25%
|
| 2 |
MI |
Grand Haven Township |
Type: Property Tax |
Voters in Grand Haven Township were asked to approve a 0.95 mill for streets and transit. The five-year millage is estimated to generate about $600,000 per year— $250,000 for Harbor Transit and $350,000 for road maintenance. |
WIN
Approved
59%-41% |
| 3 |
MI |
Grand Rapids / Kent County |
Type: Property Tax |
Voters were asked to increase the current five-year 1.12 mill tax levy by 0.35 mills to a total of 1.47 mills for seven years. In 2009, voters failed to approve an increase. |
WIN
Approved
50.2%-49.8% |
| 4 |
MI |
Holland |
Type: Property Tax |
Voters were asked to approve a five-year, 0.4 mill renewal to operate the Macatawa Area Express bus system. The MAX Transportation Authority Board approved the measure to go before Holland and Holland Township voters. It is expected to generate approximately $890,000 a year. Area voters approved the first MAX operating millage in 2006. |
WIN
Approved
76%-24% |
| 5 |
MI |
Kalkaska County |
Type: Property Tax |
Voters were asked to approve a renewal of a five-year, 0.25-mill levy for the county's public transit authority. It is expected to generate $164,438 this year. |
WIN
Approved
72%-28% |
| 6 |
OH |
Stark County |
Type: Sales Tax |
Voters in Stark County were asked to renew a five-year, 0.25 percent sales tax for theStark County Regional Transit Authority (SARTA). |
WIN
Approved
66%-34% |
