Politics & Government

Board Votes Today: See What Macomb Residents are Saying About a DIA Property Tax

The full Macomb County Board of Commissioners will hold a special meeting tonight at 6 to decide the fate of a Macomb County Art Institute Authority, which must be created to put the question of a DIA property tax on the August ballot.

Macomb Patch reader Penny Pesta has been a volunteer at the Detroit Institute of Arts for 32 years and is one of many area residents who would like to see be decided by the voters rather than the Board of Commissioners.

Whether the hopes of Pesta, and countless other county residents, will be dashed or fulfilled will be decided at a special full board meeting tonight.

Although the Macomb County Economic Development Committee recently reconsidered its vote in favor of placing such a proposal on the August ballot, the full board must vote to create the Macomb County Art Institute Authority before such a process can move forward. 

Find out what's happening in Macomb Townshipwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The board will meet at 6 p.m. today in the Commissioners' Board Room on the ninth floor of the county's Administration Building in Mount Clemens (1 S. Main St.). Members of the community will have time before the commissioners' vote to share their thoughts on placing this question on the August ballot.

Should the board vote in favor of a ballot question, voters will be asked in August to pass or reject a 10-year, .2 mill property tax to support the museum. The annual millage would cost $10 for every $100,000 of a home’s market value and Macomb County residents would receive free admission to the museum if the tax is approved.

Find out what's happening in Macomb Townshipwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Julie M. said: "As much as I hate new taxes, I would support this for the DIA. This is not so much for the city of Detroit, but for our state."

Matt replied: "Don't think everyone tax payer of Macomb County should have to fund something they could a rat's behind about. Raise the admission cost, charge the people WHO use the DIA. If that can't work close it, it's not everyones problem!!!"


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here