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Romeo council adopts budget amendments after Ford plant tax change; board weighs bonds, millages and short-term assessments for roads and public safety
Summary
Council approved budget amendments to cover a roughly $300,000 revenue change tied to the decommissioning of the Ford Romeo plant and discussed options — bonds, millages, or special assessments — to fund remaining road work and public safety needs; staff were asked to draft ballot language and a short-term assessment proposal for the next meeting.
The Village of Romeo Board of Trustees approved budget amendments on June 16 after staff outlined a recurring revenue impact tied to Ford Motor Company's decommissioning of the Romeo engine plant.
Finance staff explained that when Ford rescinded an eligible manufacturing personal-property exemption upon decommissioning, the village's taxable personal property base shifted from roughly $0.5 million to about $14 million for manufacturing personal property. The net effect, after exemption adjustments and timing, is a roughly $300,000 adverse budget impact the village must accommodate in the current fiscal cycle.
Council approved the amendments as presented. Members discussed several potential responses: placing a roads bond or millage on a near-term ballot (noting an August deadline for some cycles), adopting a public-safety mill, or using a special assessment for short-term coverage. Trustees also asked staff to explore grant opportunities, congressional community-project funding and county/state options.
On roads specifically, trustees reviewed prior voter-authorized funding and concluded that additional funds will be needed to finish remaining projects. Staff were directed to prepare ballot language and options by the next meeting and to investigate the cost of placing a question on the ballot through Washington Township elections. Trustees discussed the pros and cons of seeking a vote this August (which could require the village to pay election costs) versus waiting for a later cycle that shares costs.
Council members also discussed a possible single-year special assessment or short-term public-safety assessment to cover an immediate budget gap for fire and police services while a longer-term ballot measure is prepared. The board asked legal/finance staff to draft possible language for both a temporary assessment and ballot measures so trustees can compare options at the July meeting.
Separately, the board approved updated water and sewer rates as proposed earlier in a special meeting; the motion carried with a 4-1 recorded vote (Parker opposed). The board also approved the DDA budget and a series of routine appointments.
