TOWNSHIP MOSQUITO ABATEMENT

House Bill 5024 (proposed substitute H-1)

Sponsor:  Rep. Tim Sneller

House Bill 5025 (proposed substitute H-1)

Sponsor:  Rep. Gary Howell

Committee:  Local Government and Municipal Finance

Complete to 1-15-20

SUMMARY:

House Bills 5024 and 5025 would amend 1846 RS 16 to allow townships to levy a millage on taxable property for the purpose of mosquito abatement and allow townships to finance by special assessment mosquito abatement by private contractors. (Other special assessments include the financing of drains, sewers, roads, garbage pickup, and street lights.)  

House Bill 5024 would allow a township to levy a tax of up to one mill for up to six years on all of the taxable property in the township for the purpose of mosquito abatement.

In order to levy the tax, a township board would, by resolution, have to adopt the proposal to place it on the ballot. The ballot proposal would have to comply with the requirements of section 24f of the General Property Tax Act concerning the authorization of bond issuances and millage rates. The township could levy a tax for mosquito abatement only if a majority of electors approved the tax. A tax levied under the bill would have to be levied and collected at the same time and in the same manner as in the General Property Tax Act.

Proposed MCL 41.4a

House Bill 5025 would allow a township to provide a procedure to finance by special assessment the provision of mosquito abatement by private contractors.

The township board could use either or both of the following two procedures to authorize the establishment of a township-wide special assessment district:

·         The township board could adopt a resolution to initiate the establishment.

·         The owners of at least 10% of land in the township could sign petitions to initiate the establishment.

If either or both of these occurred, the township board would have to submit the question of raising money for mosquito abatement by special assessment to the township's electors at a general election or special election. The ballot would have to state the duration of the proposed assessment. The special assessment district for mosquito abatement would be established if approved by a majority of electors.

All proceedings related to the making, levying, and collecting of special assessments authorized under the bill would have to conform with the procedures outlined in the Public Improvements Act.

MCL 41.110c and proposed MCL 41.3c

The bills are tie-barred to one another, which means that neither could take effect unless both were enacted.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bills would have no net fiscal impact on state or local government unless the township called for a special election to vote on the petition for a mosquito abatement special assessment district. If a special election were held, the cost to the township would be approximately $2,000 per precinct. If a township chose to pursue a millage or special assessment, any millage or special assessment presumably would cover the costs of mosquito abatement in the township. The bills are permissive and would not require action by any township.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Jenny McInerney

                                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:   Ben Gielczyk

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.