2025 Metro Millage Facts

How Does the Community Benefit From Public Transportation?
Reliable transportation is linked to economic stability and the quality of life in communities that have public transit systems. Metro operates 21 bus routes seven days a week, providing 1.75 million rides a year. The system serves everyone in the Kalamazoo community with multiple mobility service options: the Metro Bus, Metro Link, Metro Connect and Metro Share.

What Has Changed Since I Voted In 2020?
Metro introduced a new service since the last millage request. Launched in April 2024, Metro Link is an on-demand, app-based ride-share service that provides flexibility to more riders. It extends the Metro Bus system further by allowing riders to travel within specific zones or connect to the traditional bus system.

Is This a New Millage?
This millage would replace the previous voter-approved .9 millage, which expires at the end of this year. The proposed 1.1 millage on this year’s ballot would support the Metro Bus system and our recently introduced service Metro Link.

Who Can Vote?
Voters in the cities of Kalamazoo, Portage and Parchment; the Charter Townships of Kalamazoo and Comstock; and precincts 3 through 9 of the Charter Township of Oshtemo are eligible to vote on the Metro millage in the November 4 election.

How Is Public Transportation Funded?
Kalamazoo community's public transportation system — Metro — is funded with rider fares, along with local, state and federal money. Local millage funds support roughly 36 percent of a total budget of $25.6 million. The millage leverages the flow of state and federal funds to the Kalamazoo County.

How Much Will the Millage Cost a Homeowner?
The cost of 1.1 mills for a home with a market value of $200,000 is $110 per year. The millage is applied to the home’s taxable value, which is 50 percent of the market value. A mill is a $1 tax for every $1,000 of taxable value.

Central County Transportation Authority Millage Proposal

The Central County Transportation Authority (CCTA) provides public transportation services that include the fixed-route bus system and a microtransit service through the Metro Link program. May the CCTA levy a tax for public transportation purposes of up to 1.1 mills ($1.10 per $1,000 of taxable value)? This millage:

(a) Would be a renewal of a previously authorized millage expiring with the 2025 levy, the previously authorized millage of 0.9 mills will increase by 0.2 mills to equal 1.1 total mills;

(b) Would be levied for five (5) years, 2026 through 2030;

(c) Is estimated to raise $7,800,000 in its first year; and

(d) Applies to the taxable value of all taxable property within the geographic boundary of the Central County Transportation Authority. 

YES Vote

A "YES" vote would approve the millage request above. The millage funding would go to Metro for the continuation of the Metro Bus System and Metro Link, giving people access to the community, stores, doctor appointments and work.

NO Vote

A "NO" vote would not approve the millage request above. There would no longer be a millage funding collection that goes towards the Metro Bus System and Metro Link. Service reductions and eliminations would be considered pending future approval of a local millage.