Millage renewal
Renew the Detroit Zoo millage?
Voters approved this zoo property tax in 2008 and renewed it in 2016. This asks whether to keep it for another 10 years.
The zoo millage continues from 2028 through 2037 at 0.10 mill, the rate voters approved in 2008 and 2016. Money goes to the Detroit Zoo through the Wayne County Zoological Authority.
The zoo millage ends in Wayne County after the 2027 tax year. No zoo tax is collected from Wayne County property from 2028 on.
What it costs
"Renewal and restoration": what that means
Michigan's Headlee Amendment automatically trims a millage's rate when property values rise faster than inflation. Over time, Wayne's zoo rate was rolled back from 0.10 to 0.0982 mill. This proposal renews the 0.0982 and restores the missing 0.0018 mill, back to the original 0.10.
In practice, the Wayne levy goes up by about 18 cents a year per $100,000 of taxable value compared with today, to the same rate voters approved in 2008 and 2016.
What the money pays for
Per the ballot language: care for 2,000+ animals across 200 species, educational and senior programs, and facility maintenance at the Detroit Zoo. The funds are subject to annual independent audits.
Wayne County residents currently get these benefits tied to the millage:
- Half-price admission for children
- Two free-admission days a year for seniors (plus one caregiver)
- $10 off family memberships
The exact ballot language
Renewal of Wayne County Zoological Authority Millage in Support of the Detroit Zoo
In 2008 and 2016, pursuant to Public Act 49 of 2008, Wayne County voters renewed a 10-year property tax millage to fund zoological services through the Wayne County Zoological Authority, supporting animal care for more than 2,000 animals and 200 species, educational and senior programs, and facility maintenance at the Detroit Zoo. To continue providing these services, the Authority seeks to renew and restore the millage to the original voter-approved rate of 0.10 mill (10 cents per $1,000 of taxable value). This proposal would renew the millage at 0.0982 mill and restore the remaining 0.0018 mill that was reduced due to required rollback, for a total authorized rate of 0.10 mill on taxable real and personal property for ten (10) years. If approved, the millage rate would be unchanged from those approved by voters in 2008 and 2016. Funds will be disbursed to the Authority and transferred to the Detroit Zoo as permitted by law. All funds are subject to annual independent audits. It is estimated that $6,145,462 will be collected in the first year.
Do you approve the renewal and restoration of the levy of 0.10 mill on all taxable property in Wayne County for a period of ten (10) years, from 2028 through 2037?
Who's saying what
Supporting
- Renew Your Zoo ballot committee
- The Wayne, Oakland and Macomb zoological authorities
- Editorial endorsements from WXYZ and Daily Detroit
Their argument: the millage funds a large share of zoo operations and resident discounts, at the same rate voters have approved twice.
Opposing
No organized opposition campaign has been reported.
General arguments against renewing a millage usually center on the overall property-tax burden, or on whether an institution should rely more on admissions and private giving.
Questions
Is this a new tax?
No. It continues a tax first approved in 2008. The rate goes back up slightly (0.0018 mill) to the original 0.10 after state-required rollbacks.
What's "taxable value"?
It's the value your property tax is calculated on, and it's usually about half of market value or less. You can find it on your property tax bill or the City of Detroit's assessment records.
If it fails, does the zoo lose funding right away?
No. The current millage runs through the 2027 tax year. The zoo hasn't said publicly what it would change if the renewal fails.
Why do Oakland and Macomb vote separately?
Each county has its own zoological authority and its own question. A result in one county doesn't decide the others.
Sources
- WDIV/ClickOnDetroit, Wayne County 2026 ballot proposals (ballot language reprint) (Oct. 16, 2026)
- WDIV, Macomb County proposals and Oakland County proposals (Oct. 14–15, 2026)
- Fox 2 Detroit, Detroit Zoo millage renewal (Sept. 29, 2026)
- MLive, Zoo and museum millages (Aug. 29, 2026)
- Crain's Detroit Business, Detroit Zoo to seek millage renewal (Aug. 17, 2026)
- Outlier Media / Detroit Documenters (Mar. 20, 2026)
- Renew Your Zoo (campaign site, for resident benefits)