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Brighton council approves ballot language to seek renewal of street millage
Summary
City council voted 6-0 to approve ballot language asking voters to restore the street millage from the reduced rate back to 2.5 mills for 10 years; city officials said the measure would fund local street, sidewalk and drainage work and estimated the first-year tax increase for a homeowner with $200,000 taxable value at $18.94.
Brighton City Council on May 27 approved ballot language to seek voter renewal and partial restoration of the city's street millage, returning it to 2.5 mills for a 10-year period if approved by voters.
City Manager Gomolka said the city's existing levy, originally approved by voters in 2019 at 2.5 mills for seven years, has been reduced by state limits under the Headley amendment to 2.4053 mills. Gomolka told council the proposed restoration would increase the levy by 0.0947 mills and that, using a taxable value example of $200,000, the additional amount would add $18.94 to that homeowner's annual tax bill. "So city council decided to go, like I said, for the 2.5 mills again. Instead of 7 years this time, a period of 10 years," Gomolka said.
The measure, if placed on the November ballot and approved by voters, would first be levied in July 2026. Gomolka said the city will prepare educational materials and outreach about the program, including the roads already improved under the current millage and the projects proposed if the renewal passes. He noted that prior millage revenues paid for extensive work in northwest Brighton, including storm sewers, sidewalks and curbs, and that the city continues to pursue federal grants for larger projects.
Council members discussed scope and accountability, with several members saying a 10-year limit gives the council and voters an endpoint for review. Council member Gibson moved to approve the ballot language and authorize staff to prepare educational materials; Council member Gardner seconded. Clerk Brown conducted a roll call and the motion passed 6-0 (Gibson, Gardner, Mayor Toby, Schmank, Albert, Mayor Pro Temboan voting yes).
The ballot language references the Headley amendment as required by state law and discloses the reduced authorized millage total and the proposed restoration. Council directed staff to begin producing informational materials and said they would present potential project lists and status reports to the public in the months before the election.
Projected first-year revenue estimates and the precise list of proposed projects will be part of the city's voter outreach materials, to be prepared by staff following council's approval of the language.
