Detroit cultural millages lead in early Midwestern voting counts

Voters in the Detroit metro area are showing early support for new tax levies aimed at stabilizing the funding for local cultural institutions. Early returns from the November 2 election indicate that residents are leaning toward approving millages for the Detroit Historical Society, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, and the Detroit Zoo.

The Detroit Historical Society and the Wright Museum are seeking approval for a 10-year levy of 0.2 mill. In Wayne County, where both institutions are located, 82% of the 24,000 votes counted so far support the measure. In Oakland County, the support is closer, with 53% voting in favor as of the latest tally, which represents just over 7% of the total vote. The tax would cost a homeowner with a property valued at $300,000 approximately $30 per year.

Elana Rugh, president and CEO of the Detroit Historical Society, stated that the proposal was designed to provide financial stability. She noted that the funds would allow the institutions to focus on preserving local and Black history. Neil Barclay, president and CEO of the Wright Museum, said the millage would enable a more unified future with additional resources for operating costs. The tax also includes provisions for free transportation to the museums for students and seniors, as well as free admission for residents of both Wayne and Oakland counties.

A separate joint public authority, the Southeast Michigan Public Historical Museum Authority, was established in July by the two counties to manage this ballot measure. If the millage fails in either county, the authority will dissolve. The levy supports the Detroit Historical Museum in Midtown and the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle, in addition to the Wright Museum.

The Detroit Zoo is also on the ballot with a 10-year, 0.1 mill levy renewal. Early results show the measure winning in Oakland County with 70% support and in Wayne County with 80% support. Macomb County is also voting on the renewal. The tax would continue to support the care of more than 2,000 animals and 200 species at the zoo and the Belle Isle Nature Center. For a homeowner with a $200,000 home, the cost remains about $10 per year.

Hayley Murphy, executive director and CEO of the Detroit Zoological Society, said the millage provides a stable funding source. She noted that the tax accounts for about a third of the organization's revenue. "The millage is a real stable source of funding for us," Murphy said. "It helps us pay for the amazing animal care that we do." Voters in the three counties first approved this specific zoo tax in 2008 and renewed it in 2016.