If you still need more information about the three proposals on the ballot Tuesday, Dearborn officials have sent out two handy links that explain what they mean.

Proposals on the Nov. 8 ballot ask voters to make decisions about temporarily increasing the funding for City services and authorizing a dedicated source of revenue for the library system.

Proposal One asks voters to temporarily increase the millage rate for city services by no more than 3.5 mills for no more than 5 years.

The temporary tax rate would cost the owner of an averageDearbornhome about $187 more a year, if fully levied. The City has lost revenue for basic services because of sharp declines in property values and other economic factors.

Proposal Two asks voters to approve a one-mill increase to fund library services for up to 10 years.

A third ballot proposal asks voters to decide if the Civil Service System, which applies to certain City of Dearborn employees, should be eliminated from the City Charter.

To find out more, click http://www.cityofdearborn.org/government/city-services/public-information/latest-news/688-voters-asked-to-decide-funding-for-city-services

To view a League of Women Voters forum featuring Mayor O’Reilly talking about the temporary tax rate increase, the library funding measure and Proposal 3, click http://www.cityofdearborn.org/government/city-services/public-information/latest-news/684-learn-about-ballot-proposals-by-watching-cdtv

Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday. For election information, call the City Clerk’s Office at 943-2032.

Dearborn Police say there is a bobcat roaming the campus of Henry Ford Community College.

Dearborn Animal Control was notified by Henry Ford Community College Security that they spotted what appeared to be a bobcat on their property.

This is the third sighting within the past two weeks.

Police say that residents should be aware that bobcats are territorial animals and unless cornered or threatened, they will avoid human contact.  Residents will small pets are being warned to use precautions when leaving their animals unattended. If the animal is sighted please contact the Dearborn Police.

The Dearborn Community Fund is accepting submissions to the Midwest Sculpture Initiative Visual Arts & Writing Contest. Entries must be submitted between January 2 and February 29, 2012. Three cash prizes will be awarded.

Writing and artwork submitted in the contest must have been inspired by one of the 12 sculptures on exhibit throughoutDearbornin the 2011-12 Art In Public Places Project, part of the Midwest Sculpture Initiative (MSI).

Artists and writers may submit a maximum of three images of artwork or poems, essays, dialogues, and/or narratives.

All submitted work will be reviewed by a jury. Prizes for the winning pieces are:   $100 first place, $50 second; and $25 third. Several honorable mentions also will be selected.

Entries can be submitted on paper or electronically in PDF format to communityfund@ci.dearborn.us. For complete contest guidelines, view the brochure that lists the sculpture locations at http://www.dearbornfordcenter.com/communityfund/ or call 313-943-5478.

Winning entries will be read and juried artwork displayed on March 28, 2012 at the Dearborn Community Fund’s “Multi-Arts Night Celebration” at theFordCommunity & Performing ArtsCenter,15801 Michigan Ave.,Dearborn.  This event begins at 7:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

Winners also will be recognized in the Dearborn Press & Guide newspaper.

“We expect entries to in the Visual Arts & Writing Contest to reflect the variety of styles found in the sculptures in the Art In Pubic Places Project. They range from whimsical to serene, provocative to straight forward,” said EmmaJean Woodyard, executive director of the Dearborn Community Fund.

The Art in Public Places project is coordinated by the non-profit Dearborn Community Fund (DCF). The organization provides resources to support recreational and cultural projects that impact the citizens ofDearborn. It is funded entirely through generous contributions from individuals, businesses, sponsors and fundraising activities.

For additional information about the Visual Arts & Writing Contest or the Dearborn Community Fund, call 313-943-5478.

The City of Dearborn is finally going on the offensive, working to explain three critical ballot proposals in emails to residents and local media outlets.

While there has been a lot of emotion around what proposals to support, the operating and library millage are ones that need to be passed if Dearborn is to maintain its current level of services.

Below is information about each proposal from the City ofDearborn.

Proposal 1: Operating Millage

Q: What does this ballot proposal ask voters to do?

A: Determine whether to temporarily raise the authorized level of the City’s general operating tax rate by a maximum of 3.5 mills for a maximum of five years. The operating tax rate is the most critical source of funding for most City services.

Q: How much would 3.5 mills cost the owner of an average Dearborn home?

A: $187 a year. The averageDearbornhome has a taxable value of $53,435.

Q: If approved and levied, how long would the temporary tax rate increase be in place?

A: Five years or less. Each year, the city Council would have the authority to levy the number of additional mills necessary.

Q: Why are voters being asked to decide?

A: Because of a structural budget deficit, the City is facing about a $20 million difference in what it costs to offer current services and facilities and the revenue the City takes in.  Revenue for essential City services has declined significantly in recent years because of the decline in property values.

For instance, the value of an average home inDearbornin Fiscal Year 2008 was $69,583. Now it is $53,435. Overall, the City has lost about 16 years of growth.

In Fiscal Year 2008, the owner of an averageDearbornhome paid $948 in operating taxes. Now, the owner of an averageDearbornhome is paying $801, or $147 less, in operating taxes. If the 3.5 mills are approved and levied, the owner of the same home would pay $988. Other sources of revenue for essential City services have also declined significantly while at the same time costs have risen.

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