Fellow Delhi Township Neighbors,

Our local township board

http://www.delhitownship.com/AboutDelhi_Government.htm is
trying slip in two addtional millages
http://www.scribd.com/doc/34336922/Delhi-Twp-Millage-Proposals
during the August election, expecting turn out to be low, so they
have best chance of passing. They want to take hundreds of dollars
from your family budget so they don’t have to make any adjustment
to theirs!

How Will the Tax Hike Affect You?

A home with appraised value of $150,000 would have its property tax
increased $225 for a total tax bill of more than $3600 per year.

I am writing to present more information about the township budget and

encourage you to come out and VOTE NO on the Delhi Township millage(s),
August 3rd

INFORMATION (including a printable flier) AND MEETING TIMES

WHERE YOUR VOICE CAN BE HEARD LISTED BELOW

PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO ANY INTERESTED DELHI TWP RESIDENTS

In the June 13th edition of the Holt Community News, Trustee Roy Sweet is
quoted, “They are concerned (Twp depts.) with being able to operate
the same as they have been”

And THAT is the problem…. Delhi Township government IS out of touch with
reality. The Township can not continue to operate the same way it has
because we do not have the same revenue. The Township has spent more
than it has received in 10 of the last 12 years.

The total fire department budget doubled from $1.23 million in 2003 (part
time fire dept) to $2.52 million in 2008. The police contract cost went from
$1.63 million in 1999 to $2.44 million in 2009.

The Township board has been warned to reverse the trend of using the fund
balance. Trustee Derek Bajema,
http://www.derekbajema.com/Derek_Bajema/Delhi_Township_Trustee.html
a voice for financial responsibility and accountability said, “I voted no on
asking the residents of Delhi Township to pay more in property
taxes, …. For ten of the last twelve years this township has spent
more general fund money than it has taken in. I can't look a
homeowner in the eyes and tell them that if they don't agree to pay
$225 more in property taxes we have no choice but to cut police and
fire service when we're spending money on printing the township
logo on sheep jackets.”

It has refused to do so and the fund is scheduled to run out next year. EVERY
budget has areas that can be cut WITHOUT jeopardizing the safely of its
citizens and Delhi Township is no exception.

Instead of making responsible fiduciary decisions not to drain the fund

balance and make necessary cuts, Delhi Township is taxing us, the citizens
of Delhi, in a recession, with high unemployment and plummeting property
values! But, the worst is, they are using fear tactics—reduction of fire and
police to push the tax hikes!

In fact, this action by the Delhi Township Board is so egregious; those on the
board who support this should resign as this is a complete abdication of their
civil duty to the residents of Delhi Twp!

If these millages pass, it will be a message that Delhi Township does not
have to be financially responsible with the money of the citizens of this
community and we will continue to see new tax hikes!

Even with this millage, the Township expects to be back in the red
in 2015 and will ask for more in taxes. In fact, they have mentioned
they will try to pass a park millage next!

PLEASE CONSIDER:

1. Pass this e-mail to friends/family in Delhi

2. Attend one or more of the scheduled meetings at Sam Corey Senior
Center at 2108 Cedar St. Holt
This Thursday, July 15 at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, July 21 at 6 p.m
Tuesday, July 27 at 3 p.m.
3. Pass out these (printable) http://www.scribd.com/doc/34335694/Vote-NO-
Millage-Flier fliers in your neighborhood
4. Write a letter to the editor Letter to the Editor
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/99999999/CONTACTUS/80325015
(The deadline for submitting letters on the Aug. 3 primary election is 4:30
p.m. July 26. The LSJ will print election-related letters through Aug. 1.)

5. VOTE NO ON THE MILLAGES AUGUST 3RD PRIMARY ELECTION!