QUALIFIED CITY; MODIFY DEFINITION H.B. 5248 (H-1):
SUMMARY OF HOUSE-PASSED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
House Bill 5248 (Substitute H-1 as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Richard Steenland
House Committee: Local Government and Municipal Finance
Senate Committee: Local Government
CONTENT
The bill would amend Public Act 33 of 1951, which provides for police and fire protection for townships, adjoining townships, incorporated villages, and qualified cities, to modify the definition of "qualified city".
Currently, a qualified city means any of the following:
-- A city with a population of less than 15,500.
-- A city with a population of 15,500 or more and less than 70,000 located in a county with a population of more than 180,000 and less than 215,000, if the question of raising money by special assessment and the amount of the special assessment to be levied annually is approved by a majority of the electors in the special assessment district.
-- A city that is located in a county with a population of more than 1,500,000 and that city contains a qualified airport, if the question of raising money by special assessment and the amount of the special assessment to be levied annually is approved by a majority of the electors in the special assessment district.
The bill would modify the definition of "qualified city" to mean either of the following:
-- A city with a population of less than 15,500.
-- A city with a population of 15,500 or more if the question of raising money by special assessment and the amount of the special assessment to be levied annually were approved by a majority of the electors in the special assessment district.
MCL 41.810 Legislative Analyst: Olivia Ponte
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no immediate fiscal impact on State or local government. The bill would expand the number of qualified cities by eliminating certain limits, particularly with respect to population. As a result, the bill would allow more local units to levy special assessments for police and fire service, although statute requires any special assessment to be approved by a majority of voters in the special assessment district. Any fiscal impact would depend on the number of cities that adopted special assessments and the amount of the assessments. Any assessments would increase the amount of local unit revenue dedicated to police and fire services, which could either increase funding for those services and/or offset revenue from other sources.
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.