Flint's November ballot includes a charter amendment to renew an existing six-mill property tax dedicated solely to police and fire protection. The proposed renewal would run from July 1, 2027 through December 31, 2031 and is estimated to raise about $6.53 million in its first year. Because the proposal renews an existing dedicated revenue source rather than creating an entirely new function, the central choice is whether residents want to preserve that funding stream at its current six-mill authorization or require the city to finance police and fire differently. Police and fire departments need dependable staffing and equipment, but a dedicated tax also reduces budget flexibility. Voters should be able to decide whether six mills remains the right commitment rather than treating renewal as automatic.
Should Flint renew its six-mill dedicated police-and-fire property tax through 2031?