The Novi City Council has sent the Signature Park proposal to the voters. The May 5, 2009 vote if passed, would increase property taxes by 0.5 mills, which would cost about $75 per year for a resident with a $300,000 home. $75 doesn’t sound like much, but in this day and age, it is a lot of money to an unemployed worker. It’s a lot of money to a family of 4 that is trying to support 2 college students while paying some of the already highest property taxes in the state. Home values have decreased more than any other state in the country and Novi is feeling those affects. When was the last time a house sold in Novi that wasn’t a foreclosure? When was the last time a new house was built in Novi?  Raising taxes is not going to help the housing market.

There are currently several parks, entertainment, activity centers, throughout Novi, including the new park being built at the Faust farm. Are they being used 100% of the time? Probably not. Until they are, we are just looking at another facility used less than we would like, and the other facilities are now used even less.  But hey….we still pay to keep these facilities looking good and running good.

What about other options for financing the park? There are several companies in Novi that claim to be a part of the community. Lets make them feel like part of the community. Has City Council approached them? They will probably say NO……Every company is cutting back. Cutting wages and hours. This is bad timing. Please wait for the economy to improve.

If you can’t tell, I’m not supporting this proposal. If we are going to be a part of change, we need to lower our taxes, not raise them. You want to jump start the economy? Offer incentives by lowering taxes. Novi can be a leader in this state.  The only way to do that…..Just say NO on May 5th.