City of Royal Oak — Charter Amendment for Renewal of Parks, Forestry, Recreation, Playgrounds and Animal Shelter Millage (Oakland County)

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

Ballot measure · November 3, 2026 · Royal Oak voters

What it does
Shall the City Charter of the City of Royal Oak be amended to renew the levy of Seven Tenths (0.70) of a mill per year for five (5) years, for the purpose of providing funds for parks, recreation and playgrounds, including animal shelter purposes, beginning in 2027? If approved, it is estimated that 0.70 mill would raise approximately $2,925,250 when first levied in 2027. Shall the proposed amendment be adopted?
A YES vote means
Royal Oak's charter would renew a 0.70 mill tax for five years starting in 2027 for parks, recreation, playgrounds and the animal shelter, raising about $2,925,250 the first year.
A NO vote means
Royal Oak's 0.70 mill parks millage would not be renewed.
What it would cost
0.7 mills (estimated) for 5 years: $70 a year for every $100,000 of taxable value (a mill is $1 per $1,000). Taxable value is after exemptions such as homestead; your tax bill or property appraiser shows yours. It would continue a tax already in place rather than add a new one.
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

This is a renewal: in November 2022, Royal Oak voters approved a City Charter amendment adding Section 11(e), which authorized up to 0.70 mill for five years, 2022 through 2026, for parks, forestry, recreation and playgrounds, including the animal shelter, according to C&G Newspapers' report of the ballot language and results.

The 2026 proposal, placed on the ballot by the Royal Oak City Commission, would amend the Charter again to renew the 0.70 mill levy for another five years starting in 2027; the ballot language estimates it would raise approximately $2,925,250 when first levied in 2027.

Put on the ballot by Royal Oak City Commission (2026).

From official source.

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on City of Royal Oak mean?
Royal Oak's charter would renew a 0.70 mill tax for five years starting in 2027 for parks, recreation, playgrounds and the animal shelter, raising about $2,925,250 the first year.
What does a NO vote on City of Royal Oak mean?
Royal Oak's 0.70 mill parks millage would not be renewed.
How many votes does City of Royal Oak 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 City of Royal Oak?
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 Oakland County ballot.

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