#factsmatter, The Citizens Research Council Of Michigan Podcast

Research Associate Jill Roof discusses how Royal Oak Township provides an example of how the design of Michigan's municipal finance system has allowed certain local governments to use ad valorem special assessments to live beyond their property tax revenue raising means. However, Royal Oak's use of these assessments is largely a byproduct of the fiscal constraints placed upon it - it literally has no other revenue raising options to fund services like fire protection and garbage disposal. Local governments like Royal Oak Township may need us to review how state law governs city incorporation and annexation and how local services are funded and provided.