The SMART bus millage survived a recount in Macomb County.
The Michigan Taxpayers Alliance officially withdrew its request for the recount of the Aug. 7 SMART bus tax vote after initial recount results showed the measure's slight margin was not going to be reversed.
The recount was requested by MTA after the proposal passed by the razor-thin margin of 39 votes out of approximately 155,000 cast.
After 75 percent of the recount was complete, opponents of the tax picked up a net three votes.
“With only 25% of the recount left, it was clear the previously-certified election results would not be reversed," stated Simon Haddad, Vice Chair of the MTA. "Given how incredibly close this tax vote was, voters deserved a recount to make sure the initial results were correct."
"We missed a golden opportunity to help both taxpayers and those who need transit assistance by ditching the over-subsidized, under-used, and inconvenient SMART bus system and replacing it with modern cost-effective alternatives," stated MTA Chair Leon Drolet, after conceding the recount.
