EAST LANSING, Mich. –East Lansing City Manager George Lahanas will present information on the City’s financial challenges and provide facts about the new income tax ballot proposal at a community meeting on Wednesday, June 20 at 6 p.m. at the East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road.
In addition to Lahanas’ presentation, there will be an opportunity for community members in attendance to ask questions. All interested community members are welcome to attend.
Over the past few months, Lahanas has provided similar presentations at meetings for boards and commissions, neighborhood associations and community groups. Other neighborhood associations and community groups interested in requesting a presentation can contact the East Lansing City Manager’s office at (517) 319-6920 or by sending an email to Assistant to the City Manager Eilis Seide: eseide@cityofeastlansing.com.
About the Proposal
The new income tax proposal will be on the August 7, 2018 Special Election ballot. While similar to the previous proposal voted on in November 2017, this proposal includes three key differences:
- The current proposal is a City Charter amendment instead of a policy resolution, meaning it cannot be changed by the current or future Council without another Charter amendment, which would require a vote of the people.
- By City Charter, the tax would be time-limited to 12 years.
- By City Charter, funding generated by the tax would be dedicated for specific purposes: 20% to police and fire protection, 20% to infrastructure (maintenance and improvement of streets and sidewalks; water and sewer systems; and parks, recreation and City-owned facilities) and 60% to supplemental payments for unfunded pension liabilities for retired City employees.
Community members can visit www.cityofeastlansing.com/incometax to find additional information about the proposal, including ballot language, an income tax calculator, FAQs and more.