Charter Township of Highland — Township Fire Department Millage (Oakland County)

What it does

This is a proposal to renew the 1.85 fire millage and increase the millage by 0.47 to support fire department operations, which provide emergency fire and medical services to the community. The 1.85 millage would collect an estimated $2,178,354 in the first year of levy. The proposed 0.47 millage increase would result in an average of $67 increase in property taxes per the 8,247 parcels in the township, for an additional collection of an estimated $553,420 in the first year of levy. Shall the Charter Township of Highland be authorized to renew the expiring voted 1.85 mills ($1.85 per $1,000 of taxable value), reduced by the required millage rollbacks, for fire and emergency medical services, and impose an increase of up to .0.47 mills ($0.47 per $1,000 of taxable value) for a total levy of 2.32 mills ($2.32 per $1,000 of taxable value), as an increase in the tax limitations imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution and levy it for six (6) years, 2027 through 2032, inclusive, collecting an estimated $2,731,774 total in the first year of the levy? A small portion of the funds collected from only the 605 DDA properties will be distributed to the Highland Downtown Development Authority to support business and economic development.

A YES vote means

Highland Township would renew its 1.85 mill fire millage and add up to 0.47 mill, for a total of 2.32 mills for six years, 2027 through 2032, for fire and emergency medical services, collecting about $2,731,774 the first year.

A NO vote means

Highland Township's 1.85 mill fire millage would not be renewed, and the 0.47 mill increase would not be levied.

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

Background

The Charter Township of Highland Board of Trustees placed this fire millage on the ballot; according to the ballot language, it would renew the township's expiring 1.85-mill fire and emergency medical services levy and add up to 0.47 mill, for a total of 2.32 mills for 2027 through 2032.

The ballot language estimates the renewal portion at $2,178,354 and the increase at $553,420 in the first year, about $67 more on average for each of the township's 8,247 parcels, for a total of $2,731,774.

ClickOnDetroit reported that a similar fire millage proposal appeared on the August 2026 ballot and failed.

Put on the ballot by Charter Township of Highland Board of Trustees (2026).

From official source.

In the news

• Highland Township fire chief warns of deceptive texts ahead of millage vote · ClickOnDetroit (WDIV), 2026-10-22

Next elections here

• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Also on Oakland County ballots

• City of Bloomfield Hills — Library Millage Replacement
• City of the Village of Clarkston — Police, Fire, and Emergency Response Millage Proposal
• City of Clawson Property Disposition Proposal 26-1
• City of Ferndale Charter Amendment 1 — Repeal Chapter IV Section 5 (Resignation of Commissioner)
• City of Ferndale Charter Amendment 2 — Chapter III, Vacancies in Elective Offices
• Lathrup Village Library Services Millage Proposal
• City of Novi — Capital Improvements Millage
• City of Orchard Lake Village — Sale of 4039 Pontiac Trail Parcel
• City of Pontiac — Road and Road Facilities Bond Proposal
• City of Royal Oak — Charter Amendment for Renewal of Parks, Forestry, Recreation, Playgrounds and Animal Shelter Millage
• City of Royal Oak — Proposed Senior Services Millage Renewal
• Charter Township of Bloomfield — Township Facilities Bond Proposal
• Charter Township of Brandon — Police Services Renewal Millage
• Charter Township of Commerce — Commerce Township Pathway Bond & Millage
• Charter Township of Independence — Police Operating Millage
• Charter Township of Lyon — Library Millage Proposal

All Oakland County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Charter Township of Highland mean?

Highland Township would renew its 1.85 mill fire millage and add up to 0.47 mill, for a total of 2.32 mills for six years, 2027 through 2032, for fire and emergency medical services, collecting about $2,731,774 the first year.

What does a NO vote on Charter Township of Highland mean?

Highland Township's 1.85 mill fire millage would not be renewed, and the 0.47 mill increase would not be levied.

How many votes does Charter Township of Highland 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 Charter Township of Highland?

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.