At Clinton Transit, our mission is to keep people connected to the important people and places in their lives. The Blue Bus provides on-demand rides for all Clinton County residents, regardless of challenges, disabilities or circumstances.
On Tuesday, August 6, Clinton County voters will be asked to consider a millage renewal proposal for public transit services. Before you vote, please review the facts about Clinton Transit and the proposal.
Meet
THE BLUE BUS
Clinton Transit provides scheduled on-demand rides for all Clinton County residents. All types of people ride the Blue Bus, but our services are especially important to elderly residents and people with disabilities.
We also provide Community Connections, a program that is helping to reduce transportation barriers for senior adults (ages 60+), persons with disabilities as defined by the ADA, and veterans.
Transportation that is safe, affordable and reliable is important to those without a personal vehicle or the ability to drive.
Last year, Blue Buses traveled more than 950,000 miles and provided more than 72,000 rides to places like: work, medical care, education, community events, and errands.
More than 40% of passengers were new to Clinton Transit.
Directly contributes to the
LOCAL ECONOMY
Each $1 invested in public transit results in $5 in economic returns.*
87% of trips on public transit directly benefit the local economy.*
Clinton Transit employs dozens of local drivers and staff.
*American Public Transportation Association
Accomplishments
WITH 2020 FUNDING
In 2020, voters approved a .1996 mil renewal and a half mil increase to update and improve public transit services. Clinton Transit’s goals for the millage included expanding Blue Bus service, providing competitive wages and benefits for our drivers and staff, improving the agency’s website and upgrading our technology. Here’s what we’ve accomplished (so far):
2024
BALLOT PROPOSAL
On August 6, 2024, Clinton County voters will be asked to authorize a .70 mill annual proposal which includes:
- Renewal of the reduced-rate levy of .6924 mill that expires in 2024.
- A new .0076 millage that restores the rate reduction, a consequence of the 1978 Headlee Amendment.
FUNDING SOURCES
Clinton Transit has been fiscally responsible within the constraints of the 2020 millage and needs continued community support to operate.
The total cost to property owners is less than $5.34 per month per $100,000 of property value. If you have owned your property for quite a while and its value has risen faster than the 3% cap on property tax increases, you will pay less.
Local millage funding will allow Clinton Transit to continue services at existing levels, provide competitive wages and benefits, and contribute to the recommendations outlined in the Transit Development Plan (expanded Saturday hours, Sunday service, scheduled service options, and microtransit technology updates).
Clinton Transit’s Funding:
FAQs
All Clinton County residents can schedule curb-to-curb transportation on the Blue Bus. Clinton Transit is especially important to elderly residents and people with disabilities. We also provide Community Connections, a program that is helping to reduce transportation barriers for senior adults (ages 60+), persons with disabilities as defined by the ADA, and veterans.
Millage funding is needed for Clinton Transit to continue Blue Bus services at their existing levels. Income generated by the millage would also afford competitive wages with benefits for staff and contribute to our pursuit of the service recommendations outlined in our Transit Development Plan.
Approved by voters in 1978, the Headlee Amendment includes a provision that limits tax revenue collected to the amount the millage was originally intended to generate, with a factor for inflation.
If assessed property values increase by more than the rate of inflation, the millage rate is reduced so that the millage generates the same gross revenue, adjusted for inflation.
This situation has occurred in Clinton County, so Clinton Transit’s approved millage rate of .6996 was reduced to .6924.
On the August 6 ballot proposal, the new .0076 millage restores the rate reduction resulting from the Headlee Amendment.
Without local support, the Blue Bus cannot continue to operate. While Clinton Transit has been fiscally responsible within the constraints of the 2020 millage, it is not possible to provide our services, offer competitive wages or keep up with current technology without community support.
Clinton Transit relies on a combination of federal and state funding for 48% of the revenue budget and 8% from other local sources. The remaining 44% of the annual budget is supported by local millage.
Property owners can expect the total millage to equate to less than $5.34/month per $100,000 of property value.
VOTER INFORMATION
Clinton County residents may choose to vote by absentee ballot, through early in-person voting, or at their polling location on Election Day, August 6, from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Visit the Clinton County website for additional voter information.
NEED A LIFT?
We provide free rides to the polls on Election Day!
Paid for by Clinton Area Transit System
215 North Scott Road, St. Johns, MI 48879 • 989-224-8127
