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Council OKs ballot language to allow up to 2‑mill parks and recreation levy when city levies income tax
Summary
Council approved an amendment to the city charter and ballot language that would allow up to two additional mills dedicated to Parks and Recreation operations and maintenance in any year City levies and collects an income tax; council voted 3–1 to place the amendment on the November ballot.
The East Lansing City Council voted Tuesday to place a proposed charter amendment on the November ballot that would allow the city to levy up to 2 additional mills dedicated to parks and recreation operations and maintenance in years when the city levies and collects an income tax.
City Attorney provided draft charter language to modify Section 10.5 so that the city’s authorized levy would remain at 13 mills for general municipal purposes but would authorize “up to 2 additional mills … dedicated for the purpose of providing additional funding for city parks and recreation operations and maintenance in any year in which the city levies, assesses and collects an income tax,” increasing the authorized cap to 15 mills in those years. The packet included proposed ballot wording, as required under state law, describing the amendment for a yes/no vote.
Council members debated timing and requested additional information from staff. Council member Chris Altman moved the resolution and Mayor Pro Tem Singh seconded. Council voted 3–1 — votes recorded as Altman Yes; Meadows No; Singh Yes; Brookover Yes — to adopt the resolution and place the ballot question on the November 2025 ballot.
Council members supporting the measure said the change would create a dedicated, stable revenue stream for parks operations and maintenance to care for facilities that have been expanded in recent years. Council member Meadows opposed the measure, arguing the proposal effectively shifts general operating millage into a dedicated millage and that council had previously pledged limits as part of an income tax agreement.
City staff said the proposed charter amendment and ballot language would be submitted to the Michigan Attorney General and governor for review; if the AG raises an objection council could attempt an override by four‑fifths vote to place it on the ballot, though staff warned of timing risks if AG review windows are short. If approved by voters in November, the measure would allow the city to levy the additional 2 mills for parks and recreation in years that the city levies an income tax.
