What does a YES vote on Macomb County Zoological Authority mean?

Macomb County would renew and restore a 0.10 mill tax for ten years, 2028 through 2037, for the Detroit Zoo through the Zoological Authority, raising about $3,845,426 the first year.

What does a NO vote on Macomb County Zoological Authority mean?

The Macomb County zoo millage would not be renewed for 2028 through 2037.

Is this a tax increase?

It renews the existing levy and restores 0.0078 mill lost to rollbacks, so the levied rate would go from 0.0922 to 0.10 mill, the rate voters originally approved.

How many votes does Macomb County Zoological Authority need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on Macomb County Zoological Authority?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.

Macomb County Zoological Authority — Renewal of Macomb County Zoological Authority Millage in Support of the Detroit Zoo

Last updated Sat, Nov 7, 4:33 PM ET

Ballot measure · November 3, 2026

What it does: In 2008 and 2016, pursuant to Public Act 49 of 2008, Macomb County voters renewed a 10-year property tax millage to fund zoological services through the Macomb County Zoological Authority, supporting animal care for more than 2,000 animals and 200 species, educational and senior programs, and facility maintenance at the Detroit Zoo. To continue providing these services, the Authority seeks to renew and restore the millage to the originally voter-approved rate of 0.10 mill (10 cents per $1,000 of taxable value). This proposal would renew the millage at 0.0922 mill and restore the remaining 0.0078 mill that was reduced due to required rollback, for a total authorized rate of 0.10 mill on taxable real and personal property for ten (10) years. If approved, the millage rate would be unchanged from those approved by voters in 2008 and 2016. Funds will be disbursed to the Authority and transferred to the Detroit Zoo as permitted by law. All funds are subject to annual independent audits. It is estimated that $3,845,426 will be collected in the first year. Do you approve the renewal and restoration of the levy of 0.10 mill on all taxable property in Macomb County for a period of ten (10) years, from 2028 through 2037?
A YES vote means: Macomb County would renew and restore a 0.10 mill tax for ten years, 2028 through 2037, for the Detroit Zoo through the Zoological Authority, raising about $3,845,426 the first year.
A NO vote means: The Macomb County zoo millage would not be renewed for 2028 through 2037.
Needed to pass: A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Left–right lean: Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Explained

Today

Macomb County voters renewed a 10-year property tax millage for the Detroit Zoo, through the Macomb County Zoological Authority, in 2008 and again in 2016, under Public Act 49 of 2008.
The originally approved rate was 0.10 mill (10 cents per $1,000 of taxable value). Michigan's required tax rollbacks have reduced the rate the Authority can levy to 0.0922 mill.
The money supports care for more than 2,000 animals of 200 species, education and senior programs, and facility maintenance at the Detroit Zoo.

If it passes

The millage would be renewed at 0.0922 mill and restored by 0.0078 mill, for a total of 0.10 mill, for ten years, 2028 through 2037.
The County says the rate would be unchanged from what voters approved in 2008 and 2016; it would be slightly higher than the rolled-back rate now levied.
An estimated $3,845,426 would be collected in the first year. Funds go to the Authority and then to the Detroit Zoo, and are subject to annual independent audits.

Example

At 0.10 mill, a property with a taxable value of $100,000 would pay $10 a year, compared with about $9.22 at the current rolled-back rate of 0.0922 mill. (source)

Who would notice

Owners of taxable property in Macomb County, and visitors to the Detroit Zoo.

How it got here

The Macomb County Zoological Authority seeks to renew the millage voters approved in 2008 and 2016 and restore the portion reduced by state-required rollbacks.

Written by SpectrumVote from 1 linked sources (1). Arguments are each side's own, not ours; the official text is what you vote on.

Background

Under Michigan's Zoological Authorities Act (Public Act 49 of 2008), a county zoological authority may levy up to 0.2 mill for up to 20 years to fund an accredited zoo, but only if county voters approve; the proposal must be adopted by resolution of the authority's board and certified to the county clerk at least 60 days before the election.

According to the ballot language, Macomb County voters approved this 10-year zoo millage in 2008 and renewed it in 2016; the rate has since been reduced to 0.0922 mill by the required rollback, and this proposal would renew it and restore the full 0.10 mill for 2028 through 2037.

The ballot language estimates first-year collections of $3,845,426, to be transferred to the Detroit Zoo and subject to annual independent audits.

Put on the ballot by Macomb County Zoological Authority board (resolution certified to the Macomb County Clerk under MCL 123.1173).

From official source 1, official source 2.

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Macomb County Zoological Authority mean?: Macomb County would renew and restore a 0.10 mill tax for ten years, 2028 through 2037, for the Detroit Zoo through the Zoological Authority, raising about $3,845,426 the first year.
What does a NO vote on Macomb County Zoological Authority mean?: The Macomb County zoo millage would not be renewed for 2028 through 2037.
Is this a tax increase?: It renews the existing levy and restores 0.0078 mill lost to rollbacks, so the levied rate would go from 0.0922 to 0.10 mill, the rate voters originally approved.
How long would it last?: Ten years, 2028 through 2037.
How many votes does Macomb County Zoological Authority need to pass?: A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Should I vote yes or no on Macomb County Zoological Authority?: SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.
When is the vote?: The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.

Not sure how to decide? Read our nonpartisan guide to the Macomb County ballot.

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