Dexter Village Council Approves 2012 Budget; No Tax Increase for Dexter Residents

Dexter Village residents can breathe a sigh of relief, as taxes will not increase for the upcoming year.

The village council approved its 2012-2013 fiscal year budget with its current millage rate of 13.5562. This marks the seventh year in a row that the village has not increased taxes and has held the millage rate constant at 13.5562.

"We started in March with a goal-setting session and two workshops. We reviewed each fund and the priorities for each fund. In conjunction with the capital improvement plan we identified what could fit into the budget," village president Shawn Keough explained.

Originally, the village published a public notice indicating that there was a draft proposal for an overall 1.1116 millage rate increase -- 0.8807 mills for general fund and an increase of 1.0646 mills for streets - for a total millage of 14.6678. After a , however, the council decided to keep the current millage rate.

"With all the uncertainty surrounding our cityhood petition, why don’t we wait until we know what we’re doing? Let’s let it (the millage rate) stay where it is for one more year and try to keep everything constant," Ray Tell said at a .

Included in the budget is an allocation of $74,700 for the Parks and Recreation Department, $90,000 for capital improvements ($20,000 less than 2011), and $445,000 for road construction, among other line items.

"We have a large capital improvement and street fund that is not significantly defined yet (for the upcoming fiscal year), but we know it's likely going to focus on storm water issues," Keough said.

A complete copy of the village's budget can be downloaded on the Village of Dexter's website under the "reference desk" menu.

In other action:

• The village council approved the 2012 Master Plan as recommended by the Dexter Planning Commission. The commission has been working on updating the plan since March. The village is required by law to update its master plan every five years to reflect its changing goals and policies for future land use.