Voters Pass Schools Technology Bond and Library Tax Increase

will receive brand-new technology this year, and will be able to continue with its regular operations after voters passed two millages Tuesday.

Clawson taxpayers will fund a 0.3-mill tax increase for library operations and a 1.3-mill schools technology bond. 

The passed 1,329-1,096, and the passed 1,362-1,069. The city clerk's office reported a 26 percent voter turnout; the city originally predicted that only 18 percent of Clawson's registered voters would show up at the polls.  

"I am delighted that the citizens of Clawson are dedicated to their community," said Clare Mann, president of Friends of the Library.

Mann and a group of city, school and library officials gathered Tuesday night at to await election results from City Clerk Machele Kukuk and precinct volunteers. 

School board member Cyndi Peltonen cheered when Kukuk announced that both proposals had passed.

"I am ecstatic," she said. "Without the technology, our kids would have been handicapped."

The technology bond will generate the $4 million the district said it needs to purchase such as smart boards, clickers and new computers. The bond will cost the average homeowner an additional $65 a year, based on an  average home assessment value of about $100,000.

Blair Memorial Library will collect about $100,000 more from taxpayers, increasing library tax revenue to the $430,000 it needs to sustain itself. The average homeowner in Clawson can expect to pay about $16.49 more in taxes for the city's library.

"This will keep us operating the way we are," said Eva Burns, president of the Library Board.

Mayor Penny Luebs said both proposals passing is a "sign of a recovering economy."

Luebs said a good reputation for the school district and public library will help home values go up and make Clawson a more attractive city.

"It's wonderful news," Luebs said.