Tag: Mr. Perks

Tomorrow, commissioners in Macomb County vote on raising the county millage rate by 9%.

Government employee unions and other proponents of this property tax hike argue that the increase will "only" cost the average Macomb County homeowner an additional $27 per year - "less than a cup of coffee per month".

Okay, let's look at the average Macomb homeowner's recent tax and utility cost increases as "cups of coffee".

A medium cup of plain coffee at Starbucks in Sterling Heights costs $1.75.

The average millage rate in Macomb County is 33.87 mills and the average homeowner with a home worth $154,000 paid $2,608 in property taxes last year.

The .04 mill veterans property tax increase approved by voters in November's election adds $3.25 to the average homeowner's property tax bill this year. That equals almost two cups of coffee.

The new .1 mill zoo tax increase adds $7, or four cups of coffee to a homeowners 2009 property tax bill.

This year's Proposal A inflationary increase of 4.4% will add another $105.60 to an average homeowner's bill. Another 60 cups of coffee.

Property taxes are only part of the average homeowner's woes. Other government agencies also increased costs and fees. For example:

Well, here's where we see if the prognosticators made the right call regarding the Macomb County Board of Commissioners.

Tune in after the break...