Millage to fund recycling in Westland is ballot request

Westland voters will be asked to approve a Sanitation Millage Ballot Proposal next Tuesday.
The millage, a proposed 1 mill to be levied on all taxable property in the city for a 10-year period, would be used to fund recycling and garbage services in the city. The millage could be used for recycling, bulk pickup disposal, yard waste collection, composting and trash/pickup disposal.

If approved, the 1 mill is expected to generate approximately $1,750,000 the first year. The 1 mill tax is equal to $1 per $1,000 of taxable property value, usually half property retail value.
Mayor William Wild said the city discontinued the recycling program last year after the  cost per ton increased from $18 to $80. Wild said that the city budget could not stretch to cover that increased expense although he knew this was a service residents wanted to continue.
Wild said that summer tax bills printed in June, mailed out in July, would include the millage if approved on Tuesday. He said he estimated the average increase per household would be about $50 if voters are in favor of the question.
The term of the millage proposal is 10 years, beginning this year and continuing through 2029.
Voters will be asked to vote yes or no on the question.