● WHAT’S UP: Renewal of Scio Township’s wildly successful Farmland and Open Space Land Preservation Millage is on the township’s ballot for voting on Nov. 8, 2022. See details enclosed.
● WHAT FUNDING PAYS FOR: Since its establishment in 2004, the Open Space Fund has enabled the township to preserve and protect 1,700+ acres of high-priority farmland, forests, and open space that may have otherw
ise been sold or put up for sale for development. What’s more, by having the dedicated fund, the Scio Land Preservation Commission has been able to secure more than $12 million in matching funds — an incredible accomplishment and return on investment for our community.
● HOW MUCH IT WILL COST: The millage would cost township property owners 50 cents for every $1,000 of taxable value. For example, property owners with a home with a taxable value of $150,000 would pay $75 per year. That boils down to about 20 cents per day, a bargain to live in such beautiful, healthy surroundings.
● WHY NOW: The current 10-year Open Space millage is scheduled to expire in 2023. The Scio Land Preservation Commission unanimously recommended to give voters the opportunity to vote for renewal early for three key reasons: 1) to take advantage of the greater number of voters anticipated for the 2022 Midterms, thus garnering election results most reflective of the township’s electorate, 2) to save the township substantial sums of money by avoiding the need to hold a costly special election (should this have been the only proposal up for vote in 2023), and 3) to maintain financial momentum for the township’s successful, efficiently-run, nationally-recognized land preservation efforts.
● WHO ELSE THINKS THIS IS IMPORTANT: The proposal has been endorsed by the Ecology Center, Huron River Watershed Council, Legacy Land Conservancy, Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy, Huron Valley Sierra Club, and community groups in Dexter and Northfield Townships that are also pursuing green-space millage proposals to help protect the area’s clean air, water quality, biodiversity, and scenic character through land preservation. Local farmers and park commissioners also support these efforts.
● HOW YOU CAN HELP: Whether you vote in person or by absentee ballot in November, we encourage you to vote YES on the ballot proposal to renew and restore Scio Township’s Farmland and Open Space Land Preservation Millage. Also, if you are in favor of the millage renewal and would be willing to display a small “Vote Yes, Renew Scio Land Preservation” yard sign on your property, please call (734) 717-4708, and we will bring one to you.
