Headlee Initiative

This page serves as a comprehensive resource to inform the community about the potential Headlee Override ballot initiative. The purpose of this page is to provide clear and transparent information regarding the proposed measure, which aims to adjust the property tax limitations set by the Headlee Amendment. By outlining the specifics of the initiative, its potential impact on local funding, and answering frequently asked questions, this page seeks to empower residents to make informed decisions about the future of their community’s services and funding priorities.

A great way to start learning about the financial pressures the City faces and why a Headlee Override question will be on the November ballot is to attend a Town Hall on the Topic. The next Town Hall is scheduled for:

Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 7:00 PM in City Hall.

There will be several more Town Halls scheduled between now and the November election. If it is more convenient, you can always watch the recording of the February Town Hall by clicking the link below:

To read the full Finance Review Committee Recommendation to the City Council, click the link below:

FINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE - RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL

Frequently Asked Finance & Headlee Questions

Property Tax Estimator

The Michigan Property Tax Estimator is an online tool provided by the Michigan Department of Treasury to help homeowners estimate their property taxes. By entering specific details about your property, such as its value and location, you can receive an estimated tax amount, including applicable rates for local schools and other jurisdictions. This tool is especially useful for planning purposes, helping Michigan residents better understand their potential property tax obligations.

PROPERTY TAX ESTIMATOR

See Frequently Asked Question #13 above to determine the amount of your tax restoration associated with a Headlee Override.

Prior LV Savings Efforts & Cost Information

While the financial issue the City faces is revenue-related, over the years the City has attempted to reduce expenses by implementing various cost savings measures, optimizing cost centers, and continually deferring necessary expenses. These efforts have allowed the City to achieve a balanced budget in the past, but, inflation, the fact the City cannot defer expenses indefinitely, and new expenses all contribute to the City's financial struggles. More details can be found in the sections below.

What services are at risk?

Should a Headlee Override fail to be authorized by the voters, these are some of the potential service cuts that the city administration/City Council could make:

Outsourcing of the Police Department
Discontinuation of leaf service pickup
Loss of chipping service
Cancelation of the contract that allows residents to access the Southfield Public Library
Refusing of lucrative grants due to lack of ability to provide matching funds
City Hall closures
Staff layoffs
Reduced recreational opportunities
Reduced City Hall hours
Less DPW services
Reduced park maintenance
Fewer recorded meetings
Elimination of Holiday Decorations and Lighting

City Of Lathrup Village

Headlee Initiative

Frequently Asked Finance & Headlee Questions

Q1: Why was a Finance Review Committee formed?

Q2: Why would the market crash of 2008 have any effect on the City’s current revenue 17 years after the real estate market crash? The real estate market has fully recovered and market values have moved well past where they were in 2008.

Q3: What is a millage and how does it affect my taxes?

Q4: What is the Headlee Amendment and how does it affect city revenue?

Q5: What is State Shared Revenue and how has it changed over the years?

Q6: Taxes on new home sales go up, so the City benefits financially from new home sales, correct?

Q7: What did the Finance Review Committee recommend?

Q8: What is a Headlee Override?

Q9: Has the City ever voted on a Headlee Override in the past?

Q10: How much revenue will a successful Headlee Override raise for the City?

Q11: What will the City do with this money?

Q12: What happens if the voters turn down the Headlee Override ballot proposal?

Q13: How much will I pay if a Headlee Override ballot proposal is successful?

Q14: If the City is going to put a Headlee Override on the ballot, why am I hearing about a Public Act 33 Public Safety Special Assessment?

Q15: What is a Public Act 33 Public Safety Special Assessment and how would it affect me?

Q16: Will residents ever have to pay both the Public Safety Assessment and the millage restored by a Headlee Override?

Q17: How can I make my opinion known regarding the Headlee Override and/or Public Act 33 Public Safety Special Assessment?

Q18: Why do newer residents have to pay more under a millage than long-established residents?

Q19: How is it possible that the City does not have enough revenue to operate effectively if we have such high tax rates?

Q20: How was the Finance Review Committee formed and who was on it?

Q21: How can I learn more about this proposal?

Property Tax Estimator

Prior LV Savings Efforts & Cost Information

Cost Savings Measures

Optimization of Resources

Long Deferred Expenses

Expenses That Did Not Previously Exist

What services are at risk?