Editor's Note: The following is the conclusion of Township Supervisor Cindy King's State of the Township address, recently presented at a regular meeting of the Board of Trustees. The first part was printed in last week's edition of The View.
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In the retail sector development interest is active. Work did start on Culver's Restaurant and Fifth Third Bank and a new Taco Bell opened, all of these on Belleville Road. A State Farm insurance office opened on Rawsonville Road as did an AT&T store. Millenium Wireless Tech opened in the Belleville Road Murray's Plaza with Denso and Rita's Designs opening along Haggerty Road.
Other new businesses include Maddgear, Belleville Road, Woodmaster Millworks, Savage Road and Stay Ready Design Studio on the S. I-94 Service Drive. Six new cell towers were erected in the 2007.
Unfortunately, 2007 also saw the closing of the Farmer Jack with the former Taco Bell Restaurant on a Farmer Jack outlot also vacant. While the Board approved the special use application for Steeplechase, a residential development on Bog Road, and the development of the Bedford Cove residential subdivision on West Huron River Drive, no construction has occurred as yet and may not due to the dire Michigan economy.
In Van Buren, there were 102 foreclosures in 2007 and one can find houses for sale throughout the township.
In 2001, 4,669 new house/condo, electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits were issued by the Developmental Services Department. In 2004, 4,889 permits were issued. In 2007, most likely as a result of Michigan's economy, only 2,046 permits were issued with 73 of those being for new houses/condos. General Fund revenues realized a corresponding down turn of about $300,000 in 2007 as compared to 2005.
Improvements to Van Buren Parks include development of Riggs Heritage Park, East Huron River Drive at Martinsville Road, and front entrance improvements to Van Buren Park on the South I-94 Service Drive and new play equipment being installed at Haggerty Subdivision Park. All of these improvements were made possible with the $2 million Wayne County parks grant the township was awarded two years ago.
The Van Buren Civic Fund continued to demonstrate its community support by awarding the Fire Department $18,350 for automatic external defibrillators with infant/child reduced energy electrodes with all fire apparatus being equipped with these life-saving devices and $4,500 for new uneven bars for the Recreation Department. The Van Buren Civic Fund is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization and contributions to the Civic Fund are tax deductible.
Once again through the generosity of the Environmental Quality Company located on the North I-94 Service Drive, the township was able to host a free Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day with 290 cars/households properly disposing of some 1,360 gallons of motor oil, pesticides, corrosive and flammable liquids, batteries, mercury and oxidizing substances and 9 cubic feet of oil based paints and aerosols. Van Buren has been fortunate that through the sponsorship of this event by EQ, we have been able to hold this event free of charge annually for the past several years, with the collection day typically taking place in October.
On the southwest corner of Hannan and Van Born Roads, is Waste Management's Woodlands landfill, the subject of the Host Community Agreement between the company and the township for which the community derives many benefits. Among them are free curbside garbage collection and disposal, recycling and compost pick up, tipping fees that usually amount to over a million dollars for township operations annually and yearly royalties in the amounts of $200,000 for public safety, $100,000 for recreation and $50,000 for environmental-related services. Waste Management also sponsors the township's annual Independence Day fireworks display and every residence in the township is provided a free 65 gallon "toter" and recycling bin for placing trash and recyclables at the curb. The free garbage collection and disposal would likely cost the township about $2 million annually and absent the Agreement is a cost that would need to be passed along to those in the community. Fortunately, the township was able to negotiate these significant benefits to the community through the HCA in return for Waste Management locating their landfill in Van Buren. Of the waste disposed of in WMI's landfill in Van Buren, 96 percent originated in Southeast Michigan.
Several of you called township hall this year to express your concerns about snow removal along township roads. All township roads, with the exception of private roads, are the responsibility of Wayne County. Wayne County receives federal funding, known as P.A. 51 road funds, to maintain roads including performing snow removal. Van Buren Township is simply not in a financial position to supplement or augment this County service.
In the subdivisions of Belle Pointe, Country Pond, Country Walk I, II and the Villas, Greenbriar, Homestead, River Park, Stoneybrook, The Meadows and Village Place Estates snow removal is the responsibility of the Homeowners Associations. In the case of Arlene Arbors, Cobblestone Creek and Cobblestone Ridge, Country Walk III & IV, Hickory Woods, Kouza Lakeside Estates, Rolan Meadows, The Timbers, Victoria Place and Wildbrook, this responsibility rests with the developer/builder. In all other cases, snow removal is performed by Wayne County.
The Downtown Development Authority is in the process of updating their Project List for making improvements within the DDA District boundaries, land that runs roughly along Belleville Road from Van Born Road south to the bridge leading into the City of Belleville and from Quirk Road west to Morton Taylor Road. Among the many projects being discussed are sidewalks, faÁade improvements, infrastructure rehabilitation, the demolition of old Fire Station No. 2, recreation, senior and police facility improvements, library improvements and an electronic public reader board. Any or all of these projects could be further revised, added to or deleted from as the list moves through the DDA's process for ranking projects based upon community value, however, the DDA remains dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the township.
The 2007 General Fund Budget of $13.5 million was reduced almost 4 percent to $13.2 million in late 2007. The most notable reduction was in the Developmental Services Department in which an account clerk position was left vacant and in the Parks and Recreation Departments in which printing and publishing expenses were lowered and capital projects were deferred to 2008. Overtime was kept to a minimum with the Developmental Services Department, not surprisingly realizing a 49.17 percent decrease in overtime costs.
Other improvements made in 2007 included new banners being displayed on the street lights along Belleville Road, a DDA funded project, a service truck with a crane for the DPW Department and the routine purchase of patrol vehicles and a K-9 unit for police operations. Lastly, the residents of Belle Harbour and Lake Crest Estates saw road improvements paid for through their participation in a special assessment district.
In 2007, the Public Safety Department's Traffic Unit, whose efforts resulted in 238 less accidents in 2006 as compared to 2005, received an award from the Department of Highway Safety and Planning for their efforts to improve upon motorists' safety. The award was accompanied by a $6,000 grant the Traffic Unit used to purchase new radar units. In 2007, traffic accidents were down by 78 accidents as compared to 2006 and just a few days ago, we learned this same organization was once again giving an award to our Traffic Unit for their continued efforts at improving upon motorists' safety although grant monies have been suspended for the time being. The Department also received $2,000 from Wal-Mart to outfit two police bicycles.
The Parks and Recreation Department received a $2,000 grant from the Kellogg Foundation through the "Access to Recreation" grant and $2,500 from Wayne County Mental Health for our "Get Up & Get Active" program. Community Development Block Grant funds were used for the "Takin' It to the Streets" program.
What's ahead for 2008? The 2008 General Fund Budget is balanced at $15.2 million, a 15 percent increase over 2007, nearly all of it attributable to the passage of the public safety millage. The Police Department budget is 17 percent over that of 2007 with funds being used to hire additional officers, create a Special Investigations Unit and to purchase related equipment. The Fire Department budget reflects a sizable 52 percent increase which will fund two 24/7 duty crews and the purchase of new apparatus. Other than the Cable Department whose budget increased 20 percent to purchase new equipment, for those departments seeing increases in funding, percentage increases range from 2 to 7 percent. Many departments including the Supervisor's Office, Clerk's Office, Elections, Assessing and Information Technology reflect decreases over the 2007 allocations.
As with any service organization, wages and benefits are the largest expenditure and in Van Buren, they represent 67 percent of the General Fund operating costs. The Public Safety Department, the largest General Fund department in terms of amount of employees (mostly officers and fire fighters), and cost to operate, is 57 percent of the General Fund Budget. The Department's $8.6 million budget for 2008 is funded by almost $4.3 million in millage revenue with the remainder of funding coming from other sources. In other words, while voter support for the increase from 3 to 4 mills for public safety millage helped to realize improvements in service, the millage alone is insufficient to fund public safety services.
Among the many revenues that support operating costs, property taxes comprise roughly $5.3 million and are about 30 percent of General Fund revenues (again nearly $4.3 million allocated to public safety) with Landfill reserves also contributing 30 percent and the remainder coming from licenses, permits, service fees, fines, etc. At $1.8 million, State Shared Revenue is less than 12 percent of the revenues supporting municipal operations. Since 2000, this source of revenue has been on a continual decline with the township receiving over $1 million less than it should based upon the formulas in place when State Shared Revenue was first established by the Legislature.
Capital improvements scheduled for 2008 include completion of the previously mentioned EQ Basin and automated water meter reading project, new windows and repairs to the roof, soffits and the embankment of French Landing Dam on Haggerty Road, new apparatus for the Fire Department, a pick up truck for the Parks Department, Riggs Park construction, a new fueling station and engineering design work for water system improvements including a new water tower. Funding has also been approved to begin work on the North Side Master Land Use Plan which should be completed by year's end. The township has commenced design and engineering for a Drinking Water Revolving Loan project to address nearly five miles of water main improvements and a new water tower which will allow for the storage of water which may help improve the rates we pay to the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department and to provide for a water supply should DWSD's system shut down for some reason.
Have you looked at your property tax bill lately and if so, do you realize 34 percent of the monies collected are allocated to the township with the remaining 66 percent being sent to other taxing jurisdictions? Of your total property tax bill, 23 percent of the money collected is allocated to Wayne County and 42 percent is used for educational services provided by the Wayne County Community College District, Wayne County Intermediate School District and to retire Van Buren Public Schools' debt with 19 percent of this amount reflecting the State Education Tax. The remaining 1 percent of your property tax bill is funding earmarked for the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority.
In Van Buren, 63.01 percent of our tax base is residential properties, 15.2 percent commercial, 19.54 percent industrial and .30 percent is agricultural uses with the 1.95 percent remaining representing utilities. There are 10,725 tax parcels in Van Buren Township. Our 2007 Homestead millage levy was 31.7083 mills which compares favorably to neighboring communities such as Canton, 32.6413 mills, Belleville 39.1381 mills, Romulus 48.6007 and Sumpter 25.3222 using 2006 levy rates for these entities.
The largest taxpayers in Van Buren Township are: Visteon Corporation, Harbour Detroit Square, Inc., Ecorse-Belleville, LLC, Ashley Crossroads South, LLC, Bank One, Detroit Edison Co., Occidental Development, Ltd., Contractors Steel Company, L&W Engineering Co., and General Motors Corporation. The largest employers in Van Buren include: Visteon Corporation (2,400), Willow Run Airport (1,100), Van Buren Public Schools (780), L&W Engineering (749), Meijer (450), JP Morgan (Chase, 370), Ricardo (300), DTE Energy (277), Murray's Discount Auto Parts (264), and WalMart (240).
At our sole January 2008 Board of Trustees meeting, Clerk Payne was appointed Van Buren's representative to the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments with DDA Director Bechtel being appointed alternate. Treasurer Budd represents the township on the South Huron Valley Utility Authority and Belleville Area Chamber of Commerce. Trustee Clair is the township's representative to the Alliance of Downriver Watersheds and in January 2008, I was sworn in as the Chairperson of the Conference of Western Wayne, a consortium of 18 Wayne County communities that represents 55 percent of Wayne County's taxable value, and an organization that has been in existence for over 25 years.
Director Ross completed his term as President of the Michigan Recreation & Park Association where he continues to serve on their Diverse Cultures Committee. Bruce is also involved with the National Recreation and Park Association Ethnic Minority Society. In 2007, the Parks and Recreation Department was awarded the MRPA Pinnacle Award for our efforts at marketing our recreational programs.
In 2007, DPW Director Knepper earned his S-1 water distribution system certification, the highest level of certification available in the State of Michigan. Deputy Planning & Economic Development Director Swallow earned his American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) designation. IT Director Rankin became a member of the Michigan Government Management Information Services organization and Senior Center Director Combs remained involved in the Michigan Association of Senior Centers where she serves on the Executive Board as its secretary. Director Combs is also the township's representative to The Senior Alliance.
For the past several years, Planning & Economic Development Director Bryce Kelley and I have been involved in the research and formation of an economic growth concept known as "Aerotropolis." During this time we have attended many meetings, witnessed many presentations and heard from any number of parties including Detroit Renaissance, a think tank of business and government leaders, interested in revitalizing the economic prosperity in the Metropolitan Detroit region that was once the envy of the country. I believe it is safe to say the shared goal of everyone involved is to do our part to help Michigan get out of this "one state recession" we have been in over the past several years.
At this stage, only a planning concept, the Detroit Region Aerotropolis has as its geographical boundaries land that starts in the City of Taylor and heads west to Ypsilanti Township in Washtenaw County, land in Huron Township north to Ecorse Road in Van Buren and Romulus, some 25,000 acres of which is vacant, developable land. The two anchors for the Aerotropolis "district" are Detroit Metropolitan Airport and Willow Run Airport. The logic behind attempting to coordinate development of this land; hence, the formation of an "aerotropolis," is that at some future point in time, this land will develop. The concern, though, is in what form this development will occur. Will it be haphazard, with incompatible uses eventually being in close proximity to each other? Will this development make the best use of the infrastructure that currently exists or may be built in the future? Will it promote economic growth? These questions are the many that those involved in the Aerotropolis have spent considerable time and effort at answering. Currently, ten entities have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding pledging to work collaboratively on development of this concept of coordinating land development and anticipated economic development. These entities are Wayne and Washtenaw Counties, the Wayne County Airport Authority, the cities of Belleville, Romulus, Taylor and Ypsilanti and the townships of Huron, Van Buren and Ypsilanti. The project, headed by Wayne County CEO Robert Ficano will continue to receive attention in 2008 and as our work progresses the public will be kept informed.
Yes, although only January, 2008 is shaping up to be another busy year in Van Buren. Improved services will be unveiled in the Public Safety Department over the next several months. The Department will continue to work collaboratively with the City of Belleville, Van Buren Public Schools and the community to address the challenges the District has faced these past few months at Belleville High School. Fortunately, it appears the problems at the High School are not taking place in our neighborhoods but you are encouraged, as always, to be our eyes and ears in helping us protect the youth of our community. Township staff will continue to monitor the economy and the increase in foreclosures being experienced throughout Michigan. Efforts are underway to provide a variety of information to our residents to help them find ways to remain in their homes and avoid the foreclosure process. New technology will be utilized whenever it makes sense - from both service enhancement and cost management perspectives - so that the work we perform is of high quality and delivers a valued service.
Yes, our community has changed over the years, yet the one constant is that the township remains a good place in which to live, work and raise a family. Our residents are our most valued asset. We value your involvement in the community; whether by serving on a commission, attending a meeting or calling or emailing us with your ideas and suggestions. We encourage you to visit our parks, enjoy a sunset on Belleville Lake, take a trip to the Belleville Area Museum or stop by the September Days Senior Center Hidden Treasures Gift Shop. Sign up for a recreational class or a Museum program.
The A- bond rating the township has maintained for the past several years is but one tool you can use to measure the level of leadership, professionalism and commitment we have to monitoring our municipal assets responsibly. Quality service is another. The Board of Trustees is dedicated to serving you. Our best wishes for much happiness and prosperity in 2008.
For more information about Van Buren Township, visit the Web site www.vanburen-mi.org.
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