More Berrien County municipalities are taking a look at a potential ballot proposal that could be considered by Michigan voters next year and warning its approval would be a bad idea.
The Ax MI Tax campaign is seeking petition signatures now to go to a vote in 2026. If approved, it would eliminate property taxes in Michigan, make it difficult to reinstate property taxes, and require that a portion of state-collected taxes be given back to municipalities and counties. The Hagar Township Board of Trustees approved a resolution this week stating its opposition to the idea, and coming up on Monday, the New Buffalo City Council will consider a similar resolution.
New Buffalo City Manager Darwin Watson tells us eliminating property taxes would cut off funding for everything from parks to schools to libraries. And he says the replacement dollars from the state wouldn’t make up for it.
“The other part is limiting what those dollars could be spent on, then it removes the other aspects of government that the citizens come to expect,” Watson said. “When you start talking about the removal of public works, because that’s not an eligible expenditure, election, public works, streets, department, stuff like that.”
Watson say New Buffalo leaders are in agreement with their counterparts in Hagar Township. They warn the proposal would take away the right of citizens to have a say where they live.
“It would take away, first and foremost, the city’s ability to make decisions relative to how to spend their dollars in their community.”
Watson says he believes Hagar Township taking action may have provided a “kick” to other local governments to speak up, although he’s been talking with the city council about the issue for more than a year.
Meanwhile, Chikaming Township Supervisor David Bunte tell us the township board in Chikaming will consider a resolution against Ax MI Tax at its November meeting, and we’re told other local governments in the county are starting to talk about it.
