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HART – The City of Hart has two proposals on the general election ballot, and one of which is a proposal that would allow the council to change its meeting dates and times.
The Hart City Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 7:30 p.m. at city hall.
Hart City Manager Rob Splane provided a press release to further explain the proposal.
“The City of Hart City Council has identified that a lack of public participation in council meetings as well as a lack of those willing to serve on city council may be due to the dates and times of city council meetings,” wrote Splane.
“The expectation, if approved by City of Hart residents, is that future city councils would have the ability to set meetings for the calendar year at days and times that would be conducive to the elected officials with a focus to increase public participation. While meetings could change day of week or time of day, city council meetings would still occur twice a month to allow for official business to be conducted on a regular basis. This amendment would also allow for regular council input when holidays and other events conflict with regular meeting dates.”
Chapter IV, Section 4.1 of the City Charter currently reads as follows:
Regular meetings of the Council shall be held at least twice in each calendar month commencing at 7:30 p.m. at the City Hall. If any time set by resolution of the Council for holding of a regular meeting of the Council shall be a holiday, then such regular meeting shall be held on the next following secular day which is not a holiday or on such other day as may be set by the Council.
Chapter IV, Section 4.1 of the City Charter will read, if the proposed amendment is adopted, as follows:
Regular meetings of the Council shall be held in each calendar month at the City Hall or such other location designated by the Council. Prior to the first meeting in a calendar year, the Council shall, by resolution, establish the dates and times of the Council’s regular meetings for the next calendar year and may, when necessary or appropriate, change the date, time and place of any regular meeting.
Street repair proposal
The Hart City Council is also asking voters to approve a renewal of the existing 2 mill local street repair and improvement millage “to protect the common interests and welfare of our residents,” Splane stated.
“It is identified that the state ACT51 local and major street funding is not sufficient to maintain and replace roads in the City of Hart based on current planned projects and upcoming needs. The purpose of this levy is to provide for the repair and improvement of city streets. It is estimated that a levy of 2 mills would provide revenue of $122,400 in the first calendar year. The revenue from this millage levy will be disbursed to the City of Hart and a portion of the revenue from the millage is subject to capture by the city’s Tax Increment Finance Authority pursuant to state law.”
Projects include:
- Completed infrastructure upgrades and reconstruction of Dryden/Wood/Hart/Jefferson streets.
- Planned resurfacing of West Main Street in fall of 2024: $400,000 estimated cost.
- Planned infrastructure upgrades and reconstruction of East Main Street: $1.8 million estimate cost supported with $250,000 in Rural Task Force grant allocated for 2026.
- Dirt roads: South Dryden, South Plum, South Union, North Griswold, Beagle Avenue, Dayton Avenue, Gilmore Avenue and Katheryn Street
- Resurfacing needs: East end of Wood Street, North Dryden Street, North Plum Street and the city hall parking lot.
- Funding is also needed for a city-wide crack sealing program to extend the life of existing streets.
Ballot language:
Shall the previously voted increase in the City of Hart’s tax rate limitation Imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution on general ad valorem taxes, currently 2 mills ($2.00 per $1,000 of taxable value), be renewed and levied in the years 2025-2029, both inclusive, subject to reduction as provided by law, on taxable property in the City?
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