Many column inches have been written about the anti-tax sentiment sweeping the country in the form of Tea Party protests and town hall meetings during the past year. However, only a relatively small amount of that well-publicized hostily to taxation was in evidence Tuesday, as ten of the thirteen ballot proposals involving property taxes passed, some by impressive margins with relatively strong turnouts exceeding the county average of 21.28%. Only the renewal of the millage for the general operating budget for Manchester Township, one of the millage renewals for police protection in Northfield Township, and the bond proposal for the Saline Area Schools failed.

Augusta Township

The voters approved an increase of 2.0 mills in their property taxes to pay for fire protection and prevention. The measure received 722 yes votes (59.28%) and 496 no votes (40.72%).

Freedom Township

The 0.25 mill increase in the property tax to provide for additional road maintenance passed with 225 (57.84%) voting yes and 164 (42.16%) voting no. Turnout was strong at 35.9%.

Manchester Township

Two of the three millage renewals passed easily. The millage renewal for millage for fire equipment was approved by 582 voters (67.28%) with 283 voting against (32.72%), while the renewal of the millage for road maintenance passed with 504 yes votes (58.60%) and 356 no votes (41.40%). On the other hand, the renewal for the millage for the general operating budget for the township failed narrowly, with 443 (51.75%) voting against the measure while 413 (48.25%) voted for it. Turnout was only slightly above the county average at 25.88%.

Northfield Township

The strongest evidence for anti-tax sentiment anywhere in the county came from Northfield Township, where two of the three millage renewals on the ballot for public safety barely passed while the third lost decisively. Proposal A, the renewal of the millage for fire service and medical rescue, won by the electoral equivalent of a nose with 685 yes votes (51.04%) and 657 no votes (48.96%). Extending the horserace metaphor further, Proposal B, the first millage for police protection, won in a photo finish with 679 (50.56%) voting yes and 664 (49.44%) voting no. Proposal C, the second millage for police protection, lost by multiple lengths as 753 (56.40%) voted against the measure while only 582 (43.60%) voted for it.

Oakland Community College

Even though the voters in Washtenaw County overwhelmingly voted against the renewal of the millage for Oakland Community College--731 (70.70%) no to 303 (29.30%) yes--their voices where drowned out by those living in Oakland and Livingston counties. Consequently, the millage passed overwhelmingly with 132,763 (62.33%) voting yes while 80,222 (37.67%) voted no.

Saline Area Schools

The final narrow defeat of a proposal came from the Saline Area Schools, where 2782 (51.41%) voted no on a $28,000,000 bond issue for buildings, school buses, playgrounds, and equipment, while 2629 (48.59%) voted yes. According to the Saline Reporter, the consequences of the failure of the bond proposal include no purchasing of school buses next year, the payment of $6.9 million in interest, and the expiration of the current school millage in 2025.

Sharon Township

The controversial bond proposal and associated millage to pay off a $683,333 judgment against the township for a botched condemnation of 25 acres for a waste water treatment plant passed surprisingly easily with 38% of registered voters showing up to the polls, as 276 (58.11%) voted in favor, while 199 (41.89%) against. The passing of the proposal means that alternative--the township supervisor assessing a 10 mill levy for one year to make a lump sum payment--has been averted.

York Township

More than 40% (possibly up to 45%) of York Township residents turned out to approve The 1.00 mill assessment to provide for public safety with 1112 (69.98%) voting yes while only 477 (30.02%) voted no. The approval of the measure will allow for the township to continue contracting for three deputies from the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department to patrol the area.

Ypsilanti City

The Charter amendment to support mass transit passed by a huge margin, 1492 (70.05%) yes to 638 (29.95%) no. Unfortunately, the voters will have to approve the measure all over again in November. According to AnnArbor.com, outgoing Attorney General and defeated Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Cox ruled that charter amendments could not appear on primary ballots. Also, the ballot measure had two words more than the legal limit of 100 words. Oops.