Aug 4 Ballot: Auburn Hills Budget Charter Amendment and Millage for Fire, EMS, and ALS
Auburn Hills, Mi – Voters in Auburn Hills has a Charter Amendment on the Aug. 4, 2026 ballot to provide funding for fire protection, EMS, and ALS. The ballot language is as follows:
Proposal Section City Auburn Hills Amendment to Section 7.5 (Adoption of budget, tax limit) of the City of Auburn Hills City Charter
Shall Section 7.5 of the City of Auburn Hills Charter be amended to authorize a new tax rate levy of up to 4 mills ($4 per $1,000.00 of taxable value), without limitation as to duration, starting with the December 2026 levy and raising approximately $8,894,659.00 in the first year for the purposes of providing funds for operations and capital expenses for Fire Protection, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and Advanced Life Support (ALS) services for the City of Auburn Hills? City of Auburn Hills Millage for Fire Protection, and Emergency Medical, and Advanced Life Support Shall the City of Auburn Hills impose a new millage on taxable property of up to 4.00 mills ($4.00 per $1,000 of state taxable value) without limitation as to duration, as authorized and approved by the City of Auburn Hills Amended Charter, which is proposed to replace the currently levied 2.49 mills, for the purpose of providing funds for operations and capital expenses for Fire Protection, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and Advanced Life Support (ALS) services for the City of Auburn Hills? If approved, the new millage shall be levied in lieu of and to replace the previously voted millage, for operations and capital expenses for fire protection, which, after the required rollback, last resulted in a levy of 2.49 mills.
The new millage of 4.00 mills will commence in 2027 and continue each year thereafter. It is estimated that this millage will raise approximately $8,894,659.00 in its first year if approved and levied. A property with a taxable value of $100,000 would be taxed up to $400.00 for the millage. If the proposed new millage is not approved by the voters, the millage currently levied at 2.49 mills, and approved at 2.50 mills by voters in 2016, shall remain in effect and continue to be levied. By operation of Michigan law, a portion of the millage revenue may be captured and disbursed to the following local units of government authorized to receive tax increment revenues: The Auburn Hills Downtown Development Authority, The Auburn Hills Tax Increment Finance Authority, and The City of Auburn Hills Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.
The City of Auburn Hills has an information page on the millage that includes budget information, as well as data showing increased demand for services. Plus there is a video:
“Demand for service has increased significantly over the past decade. In 2010, the department responded to 2,816 calls for service. That number rose to 3,394 in 2015, 3,585 in 2020, and 4,628 in 2025. Approximately 75% of calls are for Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and EMS calls continue to grow at an average rate of 3 to 5% annually. This sustained growth reflects both population trends and increasing medical service needs within our community.,” according to the site. For more information visit https://www.auburnhills.org/departments/fire/fire-millage/
Several communities also have proposals on the ballot. For the full list and more election information visit the Oakland County Clerk’s website.
Check out the Oakland County Election Page for info on other proposals.
