Ferndale Millage Passes by 198 Votes; Both Campaigns Praise Community Involvement

The yes vote prevailed in Ferndale by 198 votes.

"This was a tough choice for our voters and I understand that," Mayor Dave Coulter said Tuesday evening, seconds after the election result was called. "Passing this millage allows us to provide services that Ferndale wants. The voters told us what is important to them."

About 20 percent of the city's registered voters came out Tuesday and nearly 53 percent of them voted in favor of a five-year millage increase. The increase will raise residents' overall tax bill by about 6 percent this year and up to an addition 5 percent over the next four.

The finally tally was 1,848-1,650. 

"This was hard fought on both sides," Coulter said.

. "Vote Yes" and "Vote No" signs were jabbed into lawns across Ferndale. At nearly each voting precinct Tuesday, yes and no campaigners or their signs were present.

"The people have spoken," said Sean House, co-chair of Ferndale Against Council's Tax, the group that campaigned for a no vote. Even though his campaign was unsuccessful, House was happy to see Ferndale out and voting.

"We'll move forward and keep an eye on council and make sure they spend accordingly," he said. "Now we have to come together and make it work."

Dennis Whittie, co-chair for the pro-millage group YES to Ferndale's Future, praised the community involvement. "This was such a community campaign. There is no doubt about that," he said. "When you look at these numbers, this wasn't a landslide. It was because everyone and our neighbors got involved."

Ferndale is facing a $2.3 million shortfall this year and more than $3 million next year. The millage, which was recommended by a council-appointed, 12-member Financial Planning Committee, is expected to help the city close the gap and avoid drastic cuts, city officials have said.

"This will allow Ferndale to thoughtfully transition into a new business model and to move forward without a financial gun to our heads," Mayor Pro Tem Kate Baker said.

Council had been working on four budget plans –  one if the millage doesn't pass and one if it passes, plus two years out on both. With the millage passing, the city will be able to avoid layoffs in police and fire departments, as well as diminished services, Ferndale Interim City Manager Mark Wollenweber said.

Ferndale is scheduled to pass a budget on Wednesday at City Hall. "The budget will be really easy," Wollenweber said. "We won't have to lay off 11 or 12 people."

The millage passing isn't a blank check, warned Craig Covey, an Oakland County Commissioner and former Ferndale mayor. "I strongly encourage that next year council consider the millage but not the full 5.5 mills."