On the Nov. 3 ballot: Pontiac's $75M road bond and Clawson's Renshaw senior apartments question

Two city questions on the Nov. 3 ballot in Oakland County don't fit the usual millage renewal mold. Pontiac is asking to borrow up to $75 million for roads. Clawson is asking whether the city may sell a senior apartment building it owns.

Our earlier guide covers the countywide museum and zoo millages and other local questions here, and school bonds here.

Pontiac: Road and Road Facilities Bond Proposal

What it asks: Whether the city may borrow up to $75 million in unlimited tax general obligation bonds, issued in one or more series, each repaid over no more than 30 years, according to the ballot language as listed by WDIV.

What it would pay for: Road resurfacing, sidewalks, storm sewers, street lighting and traffic signals, plus related water and sewer work.

What it would cost: The estimated levy is 3.360 mills in 2027, with an estimated average of 2.400 mills a year over the life of the bonds. One mill is $1 for every $1,000 of taxable value. A home with $100,000 in taxable value would pay about $336 at the 2027 rate.

The target is neighborhood streets, some of which haven't been repaved in more than 40 years, Hoodline reported. Major roads such as State, Montcalm, Giddings and Pike already have state and federal grant money for repaving in 2026 and 2027. Residential streets generally don't qualify for that money under the state's road funding law, according to Hoodline.

Mayor Mike McGuinness has called the general obligation bond a financially conservative approach. He has said the city doesn't plan to levy the full millage every year and could use general fund investment returns to help cover debt payments, Hoodline reported. He told WXYZ it has been "over 45 years" since the city last made a dedicated local investment in its neighborhood streets.

Council President Adrian Austin has said the city has strong financial assets and is reviewing them before asking residents for new taxes, according to Hoodline. The city reported a general fund balance of more than $55 million in May.

No organized opposition has been reported.

Pontiac residents can vote early at the Pontiac Public Library from Oct. 24 through Nov. 1, WXYZ reported.

Clawson: Proposal 26-1, Renshaw property

What it asks: Whether the City Council may sell or otherwise dispose of the city-owned property at 121 Renshaw Ave., the 15-unit Renshaw Senior Apartments. Under the City Charter, the city can't sell property above a set value without voter approval.

Where the money would go: Any proceeds would go to sustaining and improving senior services in Clawson.

What a "yes" vote means: The council would have authority to sell, but approval would not complete a sale. The council would still set the terms, process and timeline, including arrangements for current residents, C&G Newspapers reported.

What a "no" vote means: The city would keep the building and continue operating it.

The building had 14 tenants as of late August, WDIV reported. A resident group, Save Renshaw, formed to make sure voters understand the question. Some tenants have asked whether the city would help with moving costs or finding comparable rent. It is not clear what relocation help, if any, residents would receive.

City Manager Joseph Rheker has said the building is not federally subsidized. The city has said it is not a Section 8 development and that it is weighing long-term community needs, maintenance costs and capital obligations in deciding whether to keep it, according to WDIV.

This story uses reporting from WDIV/ClickOnDetroit, Hoodline, WXYZ and C&G Newspapers.