Novi voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to approve a 10-year property tax levy for capital projects estimated to raise more than $5.4 million in its first year.

Oakland County's official proposal list, published Sept. 8, confirms the City of Novi's capital improvements millage is on the November general election ballot. The measure would amend Section 9.1 of the city charter to authorize a 1.0-mill levy, equal to $1 per $1,000 of taxable value, starting with the July 2027 tax collection.

The money could pay for parks and facilities, land acquisition, pathways and equipment such as fire trucks. It cannot fund operations or payroll.

The levy replaces an expiring capital improvements millage voters first approved in August 2016. Parks Director Jeff Muck told the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Commission on March 19 that because the measure is a renewal, "taxes are not going up."

City Manager Victor Cardenas told the Novi City Council on Feb. 9 that Headlee rollbacks had reduced the current millage from 1 mill to about 0.94 mill, generating roughly $4.9 million. Restoring the rate to a full mill would bring in about $5.1 million based on 2025 property values. The official ballot language now estimates first-year revenue at $5,412,997, reflecting updated valuations.

At the Feb. 9 meeting, most council members said they favored the August ballot, citing a less crowded ballot and an election already scheduled that month. Council Member Martinez was the lone dissenting voice, arguing for November and citing higher expected voter turnout in a general election. Records don't show when or why the city ultimately shifted the question to the November ballot instead.

The original 2016 millage funded Lakeshore Park building renovations, about 160 acres of park land acquisitions, three fire engines, one ladder truck, a Department of Public Works expansion, the ITC Trail, a splash pad, pickleball courts and boardwalk repairs. Cardenas outlined potential uses for the renewal including ITC park redevelopment, a community center or senior activity space, fire apparatus replacements and sidewalk enhancements.

Councilman Dave Staudt called ITC park redevelopment and a community or senior center his top two priorities for the renewed millage at the Feb. 9 meeting. At an Aug. 12 council discussion about the Novi Ice Arena's future, reported by C&G News, Staudt warned of consequences if the measure fails: "I may come back with a change of mindset if this capital improvement program millage doesn't pass in November, because we have a responsibility to look at all the potential sources of revenue … because we're going to be in a very difficult position."

The council placed the question on the ballot at its April 13 meeting. The specific vote count was not available in published minutes.

If approved, the first levy would appear on July 2027 tax bills.