Michigan voters reject three local proposals

Voters in several Michigan communities rejected local proposals in the Nov. 3 election. Charlevoix voters turned down a charter change that would have lengthened City Council terms from two years to four. Traverse City voters rejected a 20-year extension of downtown TIF 97, which funds infrastructure and services; the plan is set to expire at the end of 2027, and city leaders say they will explore other ways to pay for downtown needs. East Grand Rapids voters rejected a $9 million bond for a parking deck and safety improvements near the high school, a proposal debated over its cost and necessity. The city and school district have not yet determined whether they will pursue another approach to parking and safety needs.