Northville Township taxpayers would pay a slightly lower millage rate under a proposed $71.6 million budget for 2027 that makes Legacy Park revitalization the township's top capital priority.
The proposed budget, posted to the township website ahead of October public hearings, projects total revenues of $62,578,359 and total expenditures of $71,578,035. The budget projects spending about $9 million more than projected revenues, reflecting capital outlays and other non-operating costs.
Separately, pending land sales from the Michigan International Technology Center (MITC) are expected to generate approximately $8.7 million. The township said those proceeds would provide financial flexibility to strengthen reserves or support strategic investments, including Legacy Park. The MITC is a joint development with Plymouth Township spanning about 800 acres. All but about nine acres have been sold or are under purchase agreement.
Millage rate drops
The proposed total millage rate is 8.1768 mills, down from 8.2473 mills in 2026. The decrease comes from a Headlee reduction and a cut in the debt millage.
Voters in August approved the renewal of three township millages for eight years, covering 2027 through 2034. The renewed levies fund public safety at 6.3447 mills, parks and senior and youth services at 0.7452 mills, and general operations at 0.1155 mills. They had been set to expire Dec. 31.
Township Supervisor Mark J. Abbo said in a April 2026 township announcement that the renewal was "not a new tax … If approved, it would allow the Township to continue providing the same level of services our community relies on."
Where the money goes
The budget's largest fund is the Water and Sewer Fund at $16.8 million. The Police Operating Fund totals nearly $13 million, and the Fire Operating Fund comes in at $10.8 million. General government capital outlay is $7.3 million, with $2.8 million in debt service.
Legacy Park tops capital priorities
Legacy Park revitalization is the named top strategic capital priority for 2027. The township completed a Legacy Park Master Plan in 2025 that identified three focus areas: infrastructure improvements, ecological restoration, and the renovation or demolition of Building 14.
Township Treasurer Jason Rhines leads a Capital Investment Committee of key staff guiding long-term investment priorities for the park. According to the township's 2026–2031 Capital Improvement Plan, park improvements total $9.86 million, the largest category in a $30 million plan. Building 14 engineering began in 2026, with construction anticipated in 2027.
Preliminary cost estimates for each phase have been folded into the 2027–2032 Capital Improvement Plan, but the full scope and cost are still being refined. The project is expected to roll out in phases with funding sources yet to be determined.
Two chances to weigh in
The township's pension plan was approximately 90% funded and its retiree health care plan approximately 80% funded as of Dec. 31, 2025, according to the township's annual financial report. Standard & Poor's reaffirmed the township's AAA bond rating in 2024.
Residents can attend two public hearings on the budget. The first hearing and a budget study session are scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 13. The second hearing and formal adoption vote are set for Thursday, Oct. 15.
